I am a ceramic animal sculpture artist based in the New Forest inspired by the beauty of the wildlife found locally around me and by the behaviour of all animals in general. I use both my observations and imagination to create hand-crafted stoneware animal sculptures and tiled nature-inspired wall reliefs.
My creative journey began with a background of many years in graphic design, during which time I authored and illustrated the children’s pop-up book I’m Hiding, published in the UK and internationally, which explored animal behaviour and habitats in playful, educational way for children. Following the discovery of my passion for three-dimensional form I developed an enthusiasm for the medium of clay becoming a ceramic animal sculptor.
Wildlife and animal sculpture
All wildlife sculptors have to study animal anatomy in great detail as this is important in highlighting muscle tone which in turn creates dynamic movement and energy in a piece and creates a tactile experience. My animal sculptures are made of unglazed stoneware and treated with oxides and underglaze colours to accentuate relief and features giving each animal sculpture a distinctive individual spirit and character.
Geological textures have always interested me and I try to recreate this by using a coarse gritty Crank Clay with its earthy hues and rough texture that mimic geological surfaces. I am influenced by ancient stone craftmanship and fascinated by how the form emerges from a solid block, so my animal forms often reflect this. Each sculpture is hand-built and unique, taking many hours to complete and fired twice in the kiln to stoneware temperatures to achieve the finished piece.
3D ceramic wall art
In addition to individual standalone animal sculpture, I am also an animal tile relief sculptor. My creations include both individually hung pieces which can be positioned as a group, like my flight of geese or large-scale ceramic wall art panels such as my Herd of Antelopes frieze or Herd of Elephants bas relief which is constructed of a number of interlocking tiles like a giant jigsaw to create a mural of any size that can be hung or fixed on a wall both indoors or outside.
My work as an animal sculpture artist has been previously been exhibited at the Society of Wildlife Artists at the Mall Galleries as well as in local galleries and exhibitions.
Recent exhibitions
- 2022 St Barbes gallery Open exhibition 2023 (Highly Commended Award)
- 2023 Palais de Vache gallery Exbury, Hampshire
- 2024 Red House Museum open art exhibition (Best in Show Award)
- 2023/24 Hampshire Open Studios
- 2025 Hatch gallery Christchurch, Dorset
My work is currently for sale at Beaulieu Fine Arts gallery, Beaulieu, Hampshire and will be displayed 22 -25th August in the 2025 Southern Nature Exhibition