Frequently asked questions about bronze statues and sculptures ...

Frequently Asked Questions

about my statues and sculptures (FAQs)

The First Principle - the most important thing creating art

Art is like speaking. If someone speaks about something that they are really passionate about, which they have real experience of, people want to hear what they are saying.

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In my opinion that honesty is the most important principle in making art. It is the reason I founded an art school – I felt that inspiration is really individual – and that in some schools people were being encouraged to make art that wasn’t personal, that was clever, but empty.

Evolving an idea by making a model

A 3d sketch model or ‘maquette’ allows me to change and improve what I see in my head. This might be:

– to better fit a future statue to its intended site – creating stronger views in the round.

– to check whether elements need to be introduced or removed.

– to find new and interesting lines and shapes, or strengthening the intended emphasis.

Favourite moments of inspiration

– My recent journey to see a wonderful client in Oregon, USA, and the trip I took through the national parks of that state and Washington and California

– Some recent research into ancient and early sculpture in the British Isles

– Rehoming my staffie Asha from the wonderful Battersea Dogs and Cats home,

– rehabilitating Alice the injured roe deer, here on our farm,

– photographing natural coloured wool threads in streams in Scotland,

– living amongst the eclectic rescue and guest animals (for modelling sculptures from) at my parents house, including otters and snakes!

Inspiration from the natural world

Finding what I wanted to speak about in my sculptures involved spending time amongst the things I loved most. I’m not the only one who finds people harder to ‘get’, compared to the uncomplicated wonder of nature, even in all its intricacy.

Feeling at home in the wild, or with animals – seeing vibrancy, fragility, innocence and constantly being surprised. That’s why I sculpt.

Do you have any goals to achieve inspiration?

I would like to experience more animals in the wild outside of the UK. Having the financial means to do this can be challenging for an artist! 

But there are also more accessible goals, such as taking regular walks in nature. This has become much easier since our move to Wales, but importantly too, it is absolutely free – and yet still one of the most beneficial things for my art. Not only that, but it replenishes our sense of wellbeing, and our love of natural things. It is a constant reminder of the power of the visual arts – of bringing things into people’s view, and reminding them of the importance of our world and its creatures.

Where did you study how to sculpt?

I have an article here showing lots of photos of my journey