3 Arab horse were brought to Europe a very long time ago -they were the breeding stock of every racehorse the world. The racing industry is huge and the stallions magnificent . The thoroughbred was then used to cross bred native horse to improve speed and stamina the refined even more so the breeding made dressage horse of the finest quality bred with the German horse. The Irish used them to make amazing show jumpers and eventers and for me the sight off a horse unfettered and moving is just a sight to behold hence my piece Power Untamed!!
The horse is called Ballydavey Sundance(Sunny to his friends ) Magnificent boy who is now injured
I have been brought up with animals -they have been a great support through difficult times. I went to Art College for a short time the worked as a gogo dancer is Spain and drew profiles for some food Worked for the BBC wrote tourist books etc -Many jobs later still painting ---horses were always on a palette somewhere. I got married had twins went back and read English at QUB.. I started to model clay and the only thing that I wanted to model was animals so I turned one into ceramic and then Bronze and I was hooked
My husband travelled the world so eventually I went too.. I found the only way to try to show how magnificent these creatures were was to meet them ,sit with them and always one just climbed into your heart!! That was the one I would try to turn into bronze. Africa held so much for me as did the magic of India and her Tigers. My husbands family come from Guyana and so to visit there and go through the jungle and sit 20 feet from a jaguar was mind-blowing . I have just returned form the Arctic where again we were able to sit near a polar bear for an hour in his space -just where he belongs.. I have a family of conservationists and am strongly of the same mould.. The world would be a lesser place iff we loose even one more species .
I am passionate about what I do - I find it difficult as I almost need to become that animal to get the feel right as bronze is not an easy medium in which to show sentiment and movement . so its hours immersing oneself into the animal. I have just finished an Eagle which I hope will be life size and am about to start on my wonderful polar bear.... here's hoping!!