I create contemporary showpiece willow animal which are both lifesize and realistic. Each piece is woven by hand and completely unique. The sculptures have evolved from the traditional basket weaving techniques I use to produce mummer’s masks. This process begins by personally growing over 40 different varieties of willow to enable me to choose from a large palette of colours and textures. I carefully select each rod and use a dense, random weave to create form with detail, giving a feeling of movement and injecting a hint of expression. My sculptural work is innovative in that unlike basketry there is no pattern or formula to follow. The sculptures are a creation of aesthetic vision and skill in manipulating a basic willow rod into a thing of beauty and form. My signature is in the detail! I create instantly recognisable animals which are more than simply an outline. They encapsulate movement, expression and always have a hint of personality.