Work

Working with a variety of willows, I enjoy the challenges of each project and commission whether it is making a 35ft dragon for Hampton Court Palace, a 28ft long T-Rex for Canonteign Falls in Devon or smaller animals for private clients. My lifesize - and supersize - sculptures have been displayed at stately homes, public attractions, events such as Glastonbury, and hotels. They have also found homes in private gardens across the country (the most touching job I’ve undertaken commissioned by a pensioner who requested a badger to accompany him to the afterlife).

I study photographs, anatomy books and natural history programmes to work out exactly how the animal moves before starting each piece. This informs not only the willow weave but the supporting iron framework, created by local Blacksmith, Greg Abel. The willow is sourced from Musgrove Willow and Coates English Willow in Somerset, along with contorted willow grown on my allotment. I use foraged items from across the Dartmoor countryside; burnt gorse, dried ivy branches, lichen, and driftwood for sculptural detailing that help bring the pieces alive, and I feel, add a mystical quality.

Creating a sculpture is like life-drawing for me, only instead of using a pencil I draw with willow. It’s a meditative process, that provides me with a sense of peace and wellbeing. I feel that each sculpture is successful when I start to see the character and spirit of the piece starting to come alive. Weaving in pairs or as a group is particularly satisfying when a connection between them emerges. The connection for me extends to grouping animals together so they keep each other company overnight!