RHS Malvern, and everything else
The latest goings on in the life of a wildlife sculptor…
RHS Malvern
I had a stand in the Country Living Magazine’s artisan marquee at the RHS Malvern Spring Festival.
After weeks of rain (which we’ve now returned to) the sun shone for all 4 days of the festival and I met some wonderful people. My critters found loving new homes and I ate far too many croissants. Is it possible to put a stone on in four days?
WWT Martin Mere
Before heading to Malvern I had a trip to the bronze foundry which is just around the corner from WWT Martin Mere, so of course it would have been rude not to go.
I was rewarded by my first Marsh Harrier sighting alongside plenty of floof and inspiration for sculptures. Shelducks and tufted ducks are in my sketch pad ready to come to life!
WWT Slimbridge
I’ve been given the opportunity to exhibit my work from July until October at WWT Slimbridge! Famous for their Bewick’s swans I’ve been working on my biggest sculpture for a while. They’re drying out at the moment but hopefully the bisque firing will go smoothly before glaze firing.
Here’s a photo with me looking all disheveled to show you the size. They’ll shrink in the kiln but you get the idea.
Stoke On Clay
I’m also going to be taking part in the Stoke On Clay Festival from the 7th September to the 19th October. It’s a big event at venues including Spode Museum Trust, Brampton Museum, Clay College, Lost & Found, Barewall Gallery and Stoke Minster.
I’ve had the acceptance email, done the happy dance, and now I’m panicking about what and how many things to make!
So between Handmade Oxford, WWT Slimbridge Exhibition and Stoke on Clay you’ll find me mostly in the studio!
Tawny owl cuddles
A few weeks ago it was my birthday. My friend Bev bought me an “experience” for my present. Now knowing my friend Bev, I know she won’t mind me telling you that it could have been anything haha!
She’d only gone and organised for a local bird chap to bring some birds to MY GARDEN! So I had a little owl, two tawny owls, a Harris’ Hawk and an Eagle Owl to hold! (not all at the same time)
They were so beautiful and special, and while I’m not a fan of birds in captivity, these guys had various reasons for being there. They were also well fed, well adjusted and happy and I could see how loved they were.
When I held Red the tawny owl on my arm, they said I could hold him closer and stroke him. He spread his wings slightly as if hugging me while I gently ran the back of my finger across his chest feathers. He looked at me through half closed eyes. As I continued stroking him his eyes fully closed. That owl stole my heart that day and moved me to tears after they’d gone.
What a special treat, and what a special friend I have.
Of course, expect some owly sculptures as a result!
Goosander
As if the owls experience wasn’t enough, I got the opportunity to take an orphaned goosander duckling to Whitby wildlife rescue. Just the sweetest little guy.
There’s been a couple of hedgehog releases in my garden this year too from Watermeadows Hedgehog Rescue, which always makes me happy.
