In 1998 she chose to give priority to her own development and fulfilled a long-held dream of studying fine art, gaining a first class honours degree in art and design.

She carves the last of the English alabaster, a beautiful translucent stone once mined in the Dove Valley, south of Derby. All the mines are now backfilled and Vivien is sculpting the last pieces of the rare stone. She lives and works in Barlow and exhibits her work throughout the UK.

VIBRANT CITY

When I have been away for a few days and then return to Sheffield, I feel a great sense of pride walking through the Millennium Galleries, the Winter Garden and the Peace Gardens. I am surrounded by beautiful sculptures and greenery in the centre of a vibrant city. There are so many fascinating events on offer I feel frustrated when I can't go to them all. It is so different from how it was 20 years ago.

Events such as Art in the City and Sheffield by the Sea are particular favourites. The Holocaust Remembrance Service in the Winter Garden was particularly memorable and moving.

LOCAL MUSICIANS

We have so much local talent. I find the intimacy of chamber music very inspiring and ideas emerge when attending concerts by Sheffield-based Ensemble 360, who play together dynamically and bring a fresh young energy which enhances their music. I am looking forward to their autumn series of concerts in the Upper Chapel, Norfolk Row and in other venues around South Yorkshire.

Local acappella group The Fates also stir my emotions with their atmospheric harmonies. Their original songs, particularly those by Bay, are witty and wise.

DANCE

I dance before I go into my studio to loosen up my body before starting work and to help switch off my 'left logical' brain and allow my creativity to flow.

I also love to dance to live music. Courtney Pine at the Leadmill and Wishbone Ash's recent concert at the Boardwalk were very special, particularly Joe Crabtree's drum solo.

CUSTOMER FROM HELL

I have a complex range of food allergies so eating out can be a nightmare. SB's, under the Showroom cinema, is incredibly helpful, remembering my special needs and serving the best kebabs in Sheffield. The Mohul at Totley is also considerate. Their King Prawn Sag amd Tarka Dahl is a great combination. Café Rouge also takes special care.

GOING BEYOND

One of my students dared me to take up climbing a few years ago. I was scared of heights but was inspired by an elderly Quaker friend who had started climbing at 40, so thought I would give it a go.

What I do isn't dangerous because I am roped up but it is challenging. Being out on the rock face is so different from the climbing wall where your route is mapped out for you. When I am climbing I tend to go beyond what I think I can achieve and surprise myself.

Sitting on Stanage Edge in the sunshine after a challenging climb with my climbing buddy Mark is exhilarating.

The views are amazing, too.

STUDIO VIE

Another favourite place in which I 'go beyond' is in my studio in Barlow. As I directly carve the last pieces of English Alabaster I work without a plan, allowing the vitality and form within the stone to emerge.

I trained with Peter Hibbard, a former assistant to Henry Moore. He taught me never to hit alabaster because it is a soft stone that bruises. I shape it with metal files and rifflers. Often during this repetitive process my hands start doing things that my head did not have in mind and I become involved in a compulsive pattern I call 'independent hands', which can continue for up to two hours.

This experience is so extraordinary that I decided to investigate it further. I have just started doing a PhD at Loughborough University exploring this phenomenon.

CHATSWORTH

The Duke of Devonshire was fascinated by the translucent qualities of English alabaster when he visited my studio. I also enjoy visiting Chatsworth and seeing his sculptures, particularly those in the garden. I am looking forward to the Sotheby's Beyond Limits exhibition in the grounds of Chatsworth in September.

ARTFUL WOMEN IN THE BARN

Creative conversations with other artists are also important. An informal group, Artful Women, who meet at the Kellie's beautiful barn in Shatton, provide the opportunity to meet regularly and share ideas.

I also enjoy collaborating with other artists and I am currently working with local metalsmith Alison Counsell to create a series of metal sculptures based on my alabaster sculpture Venus.

lwww.vivienwhitaker.co.uk