From Wellbeing Magazine · Editorial Team · · 1m 30s
Simon Gudgeon: Sculpting a Soulful Life
A former lawyer turned sculptor creates spaces for calm in Dorset.
In brief
A former lawyer turned sculptor creates spaces for calm in Dorset. Simon Gudgeon, a former lawyer who became a sculptor, founded The Sculpted Soul to help people find calm through art and nature. Originally reported by Wellbeing Magazine.
A Life of Shifting Paths
Simon Gudgeon began his career in law but left after qualifying in 1985 to pursue art.
“I qualified as a solicitor in 1985 and effectively retired from law the same day”
The Painted Turning Point
His mother bought him paints in 1991, leading him to teach himself painting without formal training.
“My mother bought me some paints”
Sculpting Without a Plan
At age forty, Simon discovered sculpting was his natural medium after buying clay.
“I bought some clay and tried sculpting. Something immediately clicked”
The 26-Acre Sanctuary
In 2007, Simon and his wife bought 26 acres of neglected Dorset countryside for £1 million.
“We were first-time buyers and took on a £1 million mortgage”
A Park Born from Accidents
Sculpture by the lakes grew organically through selling art and planting trees.
“I would sell a piece and that would allow us to plant trees”
The 7,000 Day Rule
At age 50, Simon calculated 7,000 days until 70 to emphasize living fully.
“I calculated that there were roughly 7,000 days until i reached 70”
Sound Baths and Calm
Simon holds sound healing sessions at Sculpture by the lakes to create moments of stillness.
“During a sound bath there is nothing to achieve. You lie down, close your eyes and listen”
Writing as Discovery
His book 100 Reflections on Life as It Is explores how writing reveals truth through simplicity.
“The most significant lesson was probably discovering that writing is not simply a way of expressing what i think”
Tiny Manuals for Being Human
Small books on anxiety, sleep, calm and gratitude help readers pause before reacting.
“The pause creates a little space between what happens and our automatic reaction to it”
A Space to Simply Be
Simon’s work focuses on creating moments of presence without demands or outcomes.
“I believe beauty itself can be important to wellbeing, it softens the senses and helps us begin to slow down”
What it means
Simon Gudgeon, a former lawyer who became a sculptor, founded The Sculpted Soul to help people find calm through art and nature.
