Artist Profile

” I love to make sculptures that celebrate and inspire”

Sculptress Joel in the Gallery

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.

Joel and example of a life sized commission of a much loved dog

Working on the clay stage of the dog portrait sculpture

Sculptress JOEL and bronze statue of a Spaniel called Jasper
The Finished Dog Commission cast in Bronze

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.

The Ruswarp Collie statue by JOEL commissioned for Garsdale station
Ruswarp the Collie Statue
JOEL works on the clay of Ruswarp the Collie Dog
at the unveiling of the Ruswarp statue by JOEL families admire and connect with the sculpture
Family Admirers of Ruswarp

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

Market Friends by Sculptress JOEL cast in Bronze
Market Friends
Public Consultation of the Market Friends project

Public Consultation of the Market Friends Project

Market Friends being made by Sculptress JOEL

Market Friends in progress at a public event

Market Friends on Show in 2004 Sculptress JOEL with the Mayor of Melton Mowbray
In the Market Square
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

Statue installation of Swifts by Sculptress JOEL
Four Swifts in Flight
Four Swifts on Site at the Gardens of Wyggestons and Trinity Almshouses

Sculpture on Site

Councillor Teresa Aldred as Lord Mayor of Leicester with Joel and the Swift Sculpture


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

Sculpture commission of a Welsh Cob Stallion for the WPCS

Welsh Pony & Cob Centenary Sculptures

Sculpture commission of a Welsh Sec C Stallion for the WPCS
Sculpture commission of a Welsh Sec B Pony Stallion for the WPCS
Presentation to the President of the WPCS
Shire Horse Society Trophy by Sculptress JOEL

Shire Horse Society (UK) Shire Award

Shire Horse Society of Australia Trophy by Sculptress JOEL
Shire Horse Society of Australia Silver Shire Horse Trophy
Shetland Pony Mare and Foal award by Sculptress JOEL

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.

House Martin Sundial by Sculptress JOEL
House Martin
House Martin Table setting by Sculptress JOEL

Sculpture for a Table setting

House Martin interior design by Sculptress JOEL
A Touch of Blue Willow

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.

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.

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

Sculptress JOEL with life sized Statue of a Gyr Falcon cast in bronze. Joel was commissioned to make this sculpture
Commission of a Raptor Statue

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

Sculpture of the famous Lady Godiva by the Sculptress JOEL

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.

Interior design installation of Bronze Kingfishers by Joel and contemporary wood and resin form

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.

Sculptress JOEL and the Hummingbird Clock

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

Case Studies

  • The Colour tones of Bronze Classic or Coloured Swallows by Sculptress JOEL

    Classic Bronze and Contemporary Colour

    Choosing the Classic or the Colour Classic Bronze Patination. What makes the bronze your choice? Do you prefer the classic rich dark tones of…

    Read more

  • Creation of Kingfisher Waterfall with fused glass and resin by Sculptress JOEL

    Award Winning Sculpture of Kingfishers

    The Lamport Hall Bursary Award With thanks to the Lamport Hall Heritage Trust and Northants Rutland Open Studios (NROS) Being awarded the Lamport NROS…

    Read more

  • sculptress JOEL and the award winning Kingfisher bronze sculpture

    The Kingfisher Waterfall – Lamport Hall Award

    Sculptress Joel was awarded the Lamport Hall Preservation Trust Bursary as part of the 2024 Northants and Rutland Open Studios. On Show at Lamport…

    Read more