Chrystella's creative passion has taken her from a successful career as a food stylist in London and Auckland to an animal sculptor working from her studio in the heart of Devon. Her deep connection to nature, cultivated from childhood in Gloucestershire and enriched by time in New Zealand and France, informs every piece she creates.

“For me, capturing something of the personality of the creature I am sculpting is a vital part of the process. I believe it is the subtle detail that brings the piece to life, be it the texture of hair or fur, or the expression of the eyes or mouth. It is quite a mistake to think only some animals have characters.”

The journey from clay to casting typically takes weeks of acute observation as Chrystella builds up the clay layer by layer, refining the anatomical structure and expression. Only when she is satisfed she has 'breathed life' in to the sculpture is it released for casting. The object is to create a tactile piece the viewer can resonate with. This is her personal measure of success.

If you would like to collect one of Chrystella's works, or indeed commission a one-off piece, please contact her by email at chrystella@email.com