I am delighted to say that my tawny owl and macaw paper sculptures are part of this years Association of Animal Artists online exhibition, running until 31st March. This year, the Association this supporting Wild Welfare a charity dedicated to improving captive animals welfare.
Both pieces are available through my website, and you can find more information about the exhibition here:
COMMISSIONS
I accept commissions! From loved pets to wildlife subjects, I would love to create your request. Commissions form an important part of my work, whilst also being held in private and public collections.
I love to work very close to a client in order to discuss and understand visions and ideas to be able to achieve an artwork of the highest quality.
I enjoy delving into each subjects personality and strive to bring it to life as if it were in the room with you.
I work with a large variety of materials from paper to epoxy clays to wood, which means the possibilities are endless with any creation.
I enjoy working at all scales, big or small capturing a particular likeness and personality. However, I also like to scale things down and capture the smallest detail in a miniature tabletop scale.
If you would be interested in a sculpture, painting or miniature scene, please do not hesitate to contact me to discuss any ideas.
I look forward to hearing from you!
GALLERY
As this project was so large and complex, I built a sketch model to see how it would roughly look (left).
This helps with working out scale, positioning and the overall look to the model.
You can see how there are subtle changes to the main model (right).
One of my on-going projects is a 1:250 scale environment miniature of Rivendell, from the 'Lord of the Rings'.
This is a huge project, as I am making it all from scratch, using references from the films, concept art, collectibles, and behind the scenes footage.
When planning this model I wanted to create Rivendell as if it were a real place, combining all the scenes we see on-screen, wide shots, and subtle book references. There are two main versions of Rivendell we see in the 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit', with a lot of subtle variations, as well as the on location filming sets.
I have combined all this into one cohesive layout which includes: the main bridge where we see all of the characters enter in the 'Lord of the Rings', Frodo's bedroom, the Bell Tower, East and West Hall, Hall of Fire, the East Courtyard, Tapestry Gallery, Council dome, and Moon Observatory that we see in 'The Hobbit' to name a few...
![‘Fierce Vigilance’ 🐒 And my new mandrill sculpture is complete! This one is a little change to the norm for me. A bit more lose and abstract! This piece started from a lump of wood and was chainsaw carved before being sculpted and painted.
Lots of new methods and techniques with this one, and definitely something I want to develop further. I’m planning some new pieces in a similar style so watch this space! 🦁 🐾
[modelmaking, sculpture, wood, chainsaw carving, wood art, mandrill, wildlife, wildlife art]
#modelmaking #modelmaker #wildlife #wildlifeartist #wildlifeart #mandrill #chainsawart #chainsawartist #chainsawsculpture #animalsculpture #sculpture #sculptureart #animalartwork #contemporaryartwork](https://scontent-sea1-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.75761-15/489363823_18075504352765679_858432575440691575_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=18de74&_nc_ohc=YI0zDrsjVSQQ7kNvwHhzxJF&_nc_oc=AdniQYgDjk9cQzJZNMPP2H6k2uufcvpffeld3E0ch8_q6qsVJD7DpGNLf8fo9eb-V1s&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-sea1-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=ub6XEvVFhr555aLdkfhkzw&oh=00_AfFRClElJr8hJ6_L851CihubA7rYETThZMR5MYANPc6M4w&oe=6801AE7E)
![Some more details of my latest piece, ‘The Price of Attention’ 🐆 This sculpture looks into the impact of over tourism on species like the cheetah, and how it is drastically affecting their livelihood.
I’ve gone for something a bit different with this sculpture, a bit more textured and also trying a bronze look to it. Hope you like him! 🐆
[modelmaking, cheetah, wildlife, wildlife art, animal sculpture, wildlife sculpture, conservation]
#modelmaking #modelmaker #cheetah #cheetahs #cheetahart #animalsculpture #wildlife #wildlifeartist #wildlifeart #dswf #wildlifesculpture #conservation #wildlifeconservation #way25 #cheetahsofinstagram](https://scontent-sea1-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.75761-15/487336326_18074510530765679_6575785781363334072_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=18de74&_nc_ohc=wIrcXLsEZXYQ7kNvwH5Nv9C&_nc_oc=AdnDXRSSUNqLMpsPg0NIixDIwEbXjI61gfxsBlMZdKwI-7CBCtY0YiuEn8Ay9NQ5ov8&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-sea1-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=ub6XEvVFhr555aLdkfhkzw&oh=00_AfEuzulQgxLC9fxEWepymWYOzgJCrqSJoEO0U-9XQw0K_Q&oe=680190A8)
![Here’s something new to share… one of my latest pieces, ‘The Price of Attention’ 🐆
This piece has been submitted to @dswfwildlifeart as part of WAY25.
Cheetahs are one of the most affected species of over tourism in Africa. As much good tourism does for wildlife conservation, it also impacts species ability to hunt, reproduce, and rest. With the cheetah being the most affected by it.
I have sculpted this cheetah in a frustrated and scared composition, with lots of jeep wheel tracks left around him showing the physical and mental impact it is having to wildlife.
What do you think? 🐆
[modelmaking, wildlife, cheetah, wildlife conservation, sculpture, wildlife sculpture]
#modelmaking #wildlife #cheetah #animalsculpture #davidshepherdwildlifefoundation #way25 #wildlifeart #wildlifeartist #cheetahart #sculpture #wildlifeconservation #conservation](https://scontent-sea1-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.75761-15/487208210_18074302453765679_7583120277111113747_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=18de74&_nc_ohc=STSMJXakPmkQ7kNvwFMyQdO&_nc_oc=AdnQ5hv4NJ4IAtTqoQINxLYOgePDuHrdP_wjFKn4jzyT39f5J6lJ2N39WjC0CqQLAkQ&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-sea1-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=ub6XEvVFhr555aLdkfhkzw&oh=00_AfE2shgW2Y85WY6awDrYiDk4yCRLBI6Z3dVceWbaDsSPig&oe=6801A081)
![How I made this tawny owl out of paper! 🦉
Such a rewarding process, even though my hand doesn’t think me for it😂 If only it were as quick as these videos!
What owl/bird would you like to see me make out of paper next? 👇
[modelmaking, owl, tawny owl, wildlife, animal sculpture, wildlife sculpture, paper crafts]
#modelmaking #modelmaker #owl #tawnyowl #tawny #owlart #wildlife #wildlifeart #wildlifeartist #animalsculpture #wildlifesculpture #paperarts #papercrafts #owllover #owlsofinstagram #somersetlifemagazine](https://scontent-sea1-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.75761-15/478402536_18069954829765679_2732531607801191657_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=18de74&_nc_ohc=-NJIzttyHVEQ7kNvwEzUPel&_nc_oc=Adnaht9V2IxNY7ML5yebLUH9mTRD6DPJT42mCl48vgg15rRFlqHgNSunyAlLoyLJwSk&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-sea1-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=ub6XEvVFhr555aLdkfhkzw&oh=00_AfEiGpPpHxPqmNQBLPiWejvKUlT7F2duuN5vePwJLS5-Pw&oe=68019205)
![Some 📸 of my first sculpture of 2025… the tawny owl! As soon as I finished the barn owl in 2023 I wanted to make another owl. So it had to be this one, the most common and largest of the UK owls.
He is made with paper feathers 🪶🦉
[modelmaking, paper art, wildlife, wildlife art, owl, tawny owl, animal sculpture]
#modelmaking #modelmaker #owl #tawny #tawnyowl #owlart #paperart #paperartist #birdart #papercraft #wildlife #wildlifeart #wildlifeartist #animalart #animalsculpture #somersetlife #somersetlifemagazine](https://scontent-sea1-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.75761-15/477273139_18069746560765679_9004822806370974776_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=18de74&_nc_ohc=NrxyXYPjEbsQ7kNvwHGef7I&_nc_oc=AdntDMXwscFTaAJ1JTYfw34ejtm--Qp_Znm5W4q3AWcNCs4ugOnnV6Xke4hVxOeimm8&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-sea1-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=ub6XEvVFhr555aLdkfhkzw&oh=00_AfH20tn4MuLkeCJNpS9_5pyaT1rdLPjLcOn9_MbvHGtFaw&oe=680180C3)
![And Elrond’s house is complete! A lot of hours spent on this one, gathering references from the Fellowship of the Ring film, behind the scenes, concept art as well as art books. This building plays a key part of the journey of the Ring, being in the final shot where the Fellowship departs Rivendell.
Bilbo also sits outside of it when he meets up with Frodo before he goes on his long journey. They also read the Red Book of Westmarch on the bench under the eaves of the building. Lots of film references with this one which is always fun to bring to life!
Next up is the tower and raised walkway adjacent to this building which we also see in the final departing Rivendell shot.
[modelmaking, miniature, diorama, lotr, lord of the rings, Rivendell, Elrond]
#modelmaking #modelmaker #diorama #fantasyart #rivendell #elrond #miniature #miniaturebuilding #tolkien #tolkienart #lotr #lordoftherings #lotrfan #lotrfanart #middleearthuniverse #middleearth #imladris](https://scontent-sea1-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.75761-15/475771696_18069277702765679_8800831269077454371_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=18de74&_nc_ohc=82wV_Tf2H08Q7kNvwFB7lgh&_nc_oc=AdkWEpD2jVlC1fWGYSQAaiGAjE8cT6ySgIYj94HKx29XUzVQSbOkPSGe6fXFozDLjY8&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-sea1-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=ub6XEvVFhr555aLdkfhkzw&oh=00_AfE15Q_by7UThW_DgIYMavGHJSJkTZfFYMaHhJPQDN-jpA&oe=68018A9E)
