I love a challenge. Learning about a new species, its physiology, movement, means of communication and expression are very exciting. For this reason I regularly make animal sculptures of less well known subjects.

Maned wolves, with their extra long legs, shaggy coats and satellite ears, are extraordinary creatures. Although I’ve yet to venture to the Pantanal in South America to observe them in the wild, I did meet and feed a family of maned wolves in Chester Zoo a few years ago. I can still vividly recall watching the young cubs bounding through the grass when an adult startled me with a sudden howl. I thought the the shape of him howling was very beautiful and sculptural. I knew right then that I wanted to capture the moment in clay.

I actually made this particular maned wolf sculpture a few years ago, but was recently reacquainted with it for a minor mending job. Another maned wolf sculpture of mine appeared on BBC TV. The TV presenter, Chris Packham, who has supported my work for many years, owns a stalking maned wolf sculpture. I made this specially for him and it featured on the TV programme Through the Keyhole. The maned wolf sculpture was shown because it was an important clue as to the identity of the owner.

If you are passionate about an unusual animal and would love a sculpture of it, don’t hesitate to contact me. I’ll send you a quote for a one-off animal sculpture made just for you!