Recently, I was contacted by a client in the United States. He wanted to commission a special sculpture for his wife’s birthday. A bobcat was chosen as the subject. They had been spotted in the neighbourhood, much to the delight of the local residents. This breathtakingly beautiful animal had quite captured the imagination of the whole community.

It was the client himself who suggested the narrative involving the mouse. I agreed this would be a great idea. I set to work to capture a bobcat stealthily crawling low to the ground, muscles tensed, eyes focussed on the prey; the vulnerable little deer mouse, despite its huge eyes and alert ears, oblivious to the threat lurking behind.

The pose of the bobcat, poised to strike, was critical in creating the shapes that define that narrative. I always take great care over these details, as they are essential to telling the story. Capturing the bobcat’s thick, fluffy fur in clay was equally challenging. I explored a number of different techniques before settling on the finish you see here.

The completed clay sculpture was taken to Castle Fine Arts Foundry in Stroud. It’s important to me to use a leading British foundry. The skill of the workers and the pride they take in their work are all part of the process of producing a fine work of art using the highest quality of materials, artistry and workmanship. The extra cost, compared to using a cheap Chinese foundry, is clearly visible in the final sculpture, and well worth going the extra mile.

For the same reasons, I always visit the foundry to refine the wax model before the final stage when it is cast in bronze. I decided a simple, traditional brown finish would suit the subject and maintain the focus on the sculpture’s striking form and engaging narrative.

When the time came to ship the bronze bobcat sculpture to its new home, I had a crate specially made to ensure it would travel safely across the pond. Much to everyone’s surprise and delight, the sculpture arrived on the very day of my client’s wife’s birthday!

Perhaps some divine hand guided the sculpture to our front doorstep at about 6 o’clock last evening, just in time for my wife’s birthday. The kids and I enjoyed watching her open it to her total surprise. She was speechless. I hope that you take some satisfaction knowing you chose a calling in life that brings joy to so many people.

Stealth, a bronze bobcat sculpture with mouse, is released in a limited edition of of just 12 pieces, and is available to order now from the studio. Please see the full listing or contact the studio for more information.