Why did you choose Portland stone?
our limestone block, sourced in Portland
It is a freestone; it carves well in all directions. It does have a bedding plain (the two blue parallel lines seen in the delivered block) and if outside, carvings should be erected respecting this so that water has less chance to percolate between the layers in which the sediments were laid.
All of this interview in the published Journal.
Slindon Sculpture 