A FORMER conservation worker has set up his own business hand carving stone sculptures.

Anthony Bartyla, 32, of Dunnington, York, pursued an art GNVQ and foundation degree, then studied stone masonry at York College and worked for a stone conservation company in Malton.

Funding his studies himself for three years, he gained a Level 3 City & Guilds while working on historic houses and gardens in North Yorkshire, including York House in Malton, owned by the Fitzwilliam Estate, and Castle Howard’s famous fountain.

With a decline in work in conservation, Anthony started to try his hand at carving stone sculptures. He took part in the New Enterprise Allowance scheme through JobCentre Plus and set up The Raven And The Hare with support from Business Support York and North Yorkshire.

“I always wanted to do more fancy and arty things,” he said. “I was then confident enough that my products were good enough to start selling. Really up until that point I was practising and refining them and getting confident with shapes.”

He started producing commissioned work, inspired by wildlife and people’s own pets, and now he intends to work on sculptures which reflect his interest in Greek mythology.

He has held demonstrations at country fairs and his work is stocked at York landscaping retailer Rock & Stone.

Anthony’s intention is to address the market in between cheaper pieces sold in multiple retailers and more expensive works of art – the £200 to £1,500 gap – and hopes to earn enough money to fund a prestigious stone carving City & Guilds course in London to advance his skills.