Artist Statement

I respond to the shapes and forms I find in nature, whether it is a landscape whose colours and contours I paint, or the human and animal forms which I try to capture in sculpture.   I am interested in rendering the look of things as I perceive them, so my work always aims to give a faithful representation of its subject whilst emphasising the lines and volumes which give the subject grace and beauty. 

 

After many years painting in watercolour, about ten years ago I started to work in clay and now concentrate on sculpture, both portrait and animal sculptures.  Since clay is impermanent, to render the work durable the options are to fire the clay, which limits one to the forms and materials which will fit in a kiln, or to cast the sculpture.  Recently I have learnt how to cold cast and am working in Jesmonite cast from silicone moulds, and have produced work in resin. 

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I came to sculpture by a roundabout route, which included degrees in English and Medicine and a career in the health service for many years.  Since I retired I have been able to concentrate on art full time. My sculpture has been exhibited at the Himalayan Garden and Sculpture Park in Yorkshire (2025). 

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My thanks to Andrew Sinclair of the Sculpture School in Devon whose method I follow for portraiture, and to all who have helped me on my way: John McKenna, Frances Clark and especially to Billy Teasdale, master mould-maker, who showed me how to build a proper mould.

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— Tim Reilly, 2025