The Coryates Studio Story
A very warm welcome to Coryates Studio! I'm Roger Taylor, a self-taught artist and craftsman with a love of watercolour painting, woodturning and carving. I live in South Dorset, close to Hardy's Monument, where I spend my time creating original watercolours and handmade wooden pieces.
I've always believed there's something special about making things by hand. Whether I'm working with a paintbrush or a piece of timber, I really enjoy the process of taking something simple and giving it its own character.
My door is (almost!) always open, so if you're interested in the Coryates Studio and my work, I recommend you pop in. But for now, you can learn a little more about what I do and how I do it.
A little about me
Every day's a school day.
As a self-taught artist, my approach to art and woodcraft comes from practical experience and a love of learning new things.
I'm sure you'll already know this, but watercolour painting and woodworking are two very different disciplines. What you may not know is that they have some things in common! They both involve a lot of patience and attention to detail, as well as an appreciation of the materials you're working with. Not only that, but both can surprise you in different ways.
I love being able to work across both mediums instead of just focusing on one. Some ideas lend themselves to paint and a canvas, while others are better explored through the texture and uniqueness of wood.
Every day's a school day, and learning new things is a part of what makes my work so enjoyable.
Two collections, one studio
My watercolours
Watercolour is an amazing art form. Unlike other painting techniques, it's not always easy to control exactly how the colours will behave once they meet the paper. And that's all part of the appeal!
The transparency of the paint and the way the colours blend, plus the subtle changes in tone, can make the work truly unique.
I love to paint landscapes and countryside scenes that catch my eye, and I love exploring what can be achieved with watercolour. Living in Dorset means I've got plenty of subject matter for inspiration!
Woodturning and carving at Coryates Studio
Working with wood is another passion of mine. It's a very different skill from painting, and I enjoy making things that people can pick up, hold and use.
Woodturning involves shaping timber as it rotates on a lathe. It's a wonderful way of creating bowls and other objects, especially once the natural grain comes through. Carving, on the other hand, isn't as simple as slicing a piece of meat! You need to work with the individual piece of wood to create different shapes, details and textures.
I work with several types of wood at the studio, including yew, oak, beech and sycamore. They're all unique from their colours to their texture, and I love working with them all.
What I love the most about woodcraft is that every piece is unique. I could work to the same shape and design as another piece, but it will look different thanks to the colour and the grain. I think that's pretty special.
Life at the studio
Coryates Studio is where you'll find me at work. It's a relaxed and calming space where I do everything from planning to final touches. I love seeing the full lifecycle of a project, and I like others to see it too. It's one of the reasons I like to meet customers in person instead of just chatting online or on the phone.
Why I prefer to sell in person
A photo can only tell you so much!
You may have noticed that there isn't an online checkout on this website, and with good reason!
I believe it's important to see a piece of art before you decide if it's right for you. I'd much rather you had a chance to look closely at the work, ask questions and make sure you're happy before buying.
My prices are indicative and very negotiable, so we can always have a chat about pricing before you buy.
Whether you're looking for a piece for yourself and your home or a gift for someone else, I'd love to show you around. Visits are always welcome!
Pay me a visit at my South Dorset studio
If you'd like to find out more about me and my work, please get in touch by phone, text or email. We can arrange a time for you to visit, have a look around and see what's available.
If you happen to be passing by and see the sign out, just knock! I love having visitors drop by. No pressure, but the kettle is usually on!