Artist Profile
” I love to make sculptures that celebrate and inspire”

Celebrating life
About me – Sculptress JOEL
I am Sculptress JOEL (Jo Walker), an award-winning British sculptor specialising in expressive, highly detailed figurative bronze sculpture. My work includes portraits of animals and people, wildlife sculpture and public monuments. Accordingly I work intensely to capture the character, presence and individuality of my subjects.
Over more than 35 years, I have developed an extensive portfolio of commissions, original works, and limited editions. I aim to combine careful observation, technical understanding and an appreciation of the emotional qualities that bring a sculpture to life. I work predominantly in clay cast into bronze to make artworks that are intended to inspire, connect with people and endure for generations.
Examples of my commissions, projects and exhibitions can be found in the Case Studies and News sections of this website, as well as on my earlier website, animalsculpture.co.uk.
Here some examples and details of this journey and successes.
Difference in the Detail

Working on the clay stage of the dog portrait sculpture

My Artistic Background and Philosophy
My approach to sculpture is rooted in a lifelong interest in the natural world. I grew up in the Welsh border country, where I developed a deep appreciation for wildlife, its beauty and its complexity. I went on to study Zoology and Ecology at the University of Exeter, followed by field research into animal behaviour in Scotland and East Anglia.
Significantly such a scientific background continues to inform my work. Understanding anatomy, movement, posture and behaviour helps me to look beyond outward appearance and discover what makes each subject distinctive. In addition I am interested not simply in reproducing a form, but in conveying its character, spirit and emotional presence.
Whether I am sculpting a much-loved family dog, a wild bird or a life-sized public monument, I want the finished work to feel alive and authentic.
My journey into sculpture came about through an extraordinary experience, which I believe was part of God’s direction for my life. My Christian faith remains important to me, shaping my outlook and sustaining my work. I see sculpture as an opportunity to celebrate the remarkable world we inhabit and to create something meaningful that can be appreciated by others.
From Intimate Portraits to Life-Sized Monuments
My work ranges from small, detailed sculptures for the home to substantial, life-sized installations designed for gardens, landscapes and public spaces. Specifically to create individual animal portraits, including dogs and horses, as well as wildlife sculpture, limited editions and unique commissions.
Whatever the scale, my aim remains the same: to make a sculpture that has presence, communicates something of its subject and gives lasting pleasure to those who live with it or encounter it in the landscape.
Notable Works and Public Commissions
The Statue of Ruswarp (Garsdale Station):

Selected Public Work: Ruswarp, the Railway Dog
One of my most widely recognised public commissions is the bronze statue of Ruswarp, the faithful Border Collie associated with the campaign to save the Settle–Carlisle Railway.
Commissioned in 2008, the statue stands at Garsdale Station, commemorating a remarkable dog whose story became part of the railway’s history. Creating Ruswarp was an opportunity to celebrate the loyalty and character of an individual animal while contributing to a place of wider historical and public significance.
At the time and subsequently the sculpture has attracted national media attention and continues to connect with railway visitors, dog lovers and people who know the story behind the statue. For me, this is one of the enduring possibilities of sculpture: it can preserve a memory, tell a story and create a lasting point of connection between people and place.
It would be a pleasure to undertake more projects like this – to leave a legacy of artworks in the public domain, – do contact me if you have something in mind.
“I’ve been waiting to see the end result and wow! You’ve done a great job”
– Project Contributor

Public Consultation of the Market Friends Project
Public Commissions
The Market Town’s Week Statue Design
Commissioned in 2004 for 2005 to celebrate Melton Mowbray’s long history as a market town.
Market Friends in progress at a public event

with the Mayor and Mayoress
“A unique and creative way of improving the ambience of Melton Mowbray.”
– One of 87 positive comments in the public survey
Selected for Charity Gardens
Swift Home for Rosemary (Leicester):
Sculpture on Site
Lord Mayor Councillor Teresa Aldred and Joel
at the dedication of the Sculpture
Selected Public Work: Swift Home for Rosemary
In 2025, I was delighted to have my bronze Swift sculpture selected for Wyggestons & Trinity Almshouses in Leicester. There it has become a lasting tribute to a resident, Rosemary Smith, whose generous legacy made the project possible.
Swift Home for Rosemary celebrates both the remarkable lives of these migratory birds and the importance of protecting the places on which they depend. For me, the project brought together several strands of my work: close observation of wildlife, expressive sculpture and the opportunity to create something meaningful for a community.
Then the sculpture was formally dedicated by the Lord Mayor of Leicester on St George’s Day in April 2026, in the presence of residents, trustees and invited guests. It is particularly rewarding to know that the work has also encouraged interest in swift conservation, with plans to install nest boxes on the site.
I hope the sculpture will give lasting pleasure to residents and visitors while inspiring a greater appreciation of these extraordinary birds and the need to safeguard their future.
Examples of Commissions
Society Commissions Including the Welsh Pony and Cob Society Centenary Sculptures:
I have had a lifelong love of ponies and horses. As a consequence it has been a delight to me to be asked to make sculpture portraits of many equines. l was selected to sculpt the official centenary statues as well as others celebrating such iconic horse breeds – commissions include from
the Welsh Pony & Cob Society, The Shire Horses Society, Percheron Horse Society, International Shetland Pony Show, Burmese Cat Club, Woodgreen Animal Shelters, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, WAG Awards

Welsh Pony & Cob Centenary Sculptures
Breed Society Commissions
Portrait sculpture of Famous Equines




Shire Horse Society (UK) Shire Award
Commissions from Draft Horses to Shetland Ponies
Shire Horse and Percheron Horse Society and international Shetland Pony Show
It has been my privilege to provide portraits and trophies for these and other societies, shows and individuals.
More examples of horses and ponies here
Shetland Pony Award
Percheron Stallion Head Commission for the Percheron Horse Society (GB)
Private Commissions
Over the years I have also had the privilege to be asked to make hundreds of sculptures of people and animals as commissioned work. In the early years many were small tabletop sculptures. Sometimes multiple figurines for a client. This led to being asked to make life sized portrait heads or busts of different animals.



Then life sized statues including more most loved canine companions. More here
Please follow the menu or search for examples or contact me for specific examples.
My own portfolio
Inspired by the animal world I have developed my own artist portfolio in addition to the titles and subjects commissioned. Behind the scenes I am studying for different series of the human figure and extending the number of life sized British Mammals.
The stories and marvels of the bird world include more birds at rest or in Flight.
Sculpture for a Table setting
Many of these have been very popular for garden settings and become gifts for birthdays and anniversaries.
I am now creating more intricate designs for interior spaces.
Awards

Awarded by Gift Sector
Selected for National Sculpture Exhibitions: 2011 – 2026
Venues Including Sculpture in the Sanctuary; Hidcote Manor Gardens; Markshall; Doddington Hall; Beaulieu; Art for Cure
Selected for Four different Juried shows in 2025:
London Art Biennale; Pensychnant; Royal Cambrian; Green& Stone Summer Exhibition.
Awards & Selections
National and International Accolades
My Approach, Materials and Techniques
Classic Bronze Patination
The rich tones of a classic bronze patination are much admired and collected by Art investors and museums

For Some the Only Bronze Choice
This has historical and classical connections: Earthy brown tones have been popularized for centuries, encouraging collector expectations. From Renaissance masters to 19th-century public monuments, deep browns evoke a sense of weight, permanence, and historical value

Commission of the Famous Lady Godiva
Exploring Colour and Patination
One of the most rewarding aspects of working in bronze is the opportunity to develop its surface through patination. By applying heat and carefully controlled chemical treatments, I can create a wide range of colours, textures and tonal effects.
I often experiment with these techniques to achieve finishes that complement the character of a particular sculpture. To illustrate this my ruby-throated hummingbird series, for example, explores the vivid, iridescent qualities of these extraordinary birds. Other works call for subtler colours and textures that reflect the natural appearance of the subject.
The patina is an integral part of the sculpture, enhancing its form and helping to establish its individual character.
Contemporary Colour & Interior Design
As well as classic patina I enjoy the options and opportunities of colour achieved with chemicals, waxes, paints, gold leaf. And to put this in combination with different options of wood, resin stone and fused glass.

Kingfisher Waterfall
Rich and Unique Options
Taking extra time and research but enabling a truly unique, one-of-a-kind installation to be achieved
For a project or client, discussion and collaboration with other artisans will result in an expressive and dramatic Artwork.

Hummingbird Time
The Main Reason Why I sculpt?
The Smiles
“Thrilled with the sculpture” “It’s just like him, that’s his expression”
– Happy Clients
What are you looking for?
Discover how JOEL can help you with your project




























