Louise Brown [Biography]

Louise Brown is a self-taught sculptor and artist based in rural Lincolnshire.

My sculptures are of the four-legged variety, and I try to inject an element of fun and quirkiness into them. I want them to have a cute expression on their faces, and to not look like they have been made in a mould. Therefore, I try not to smooth out the clay too much, so that there is lots of texture, and I don't mind the odd little crack here and there, as these imperfections add to the handmade look of the sculptures.

I work with stoneware and porcelain clays, After the sculptures have been bisque-fired I apply the colours in the form of oxides, underglazes and limited applications of glazes. I prefer my animals to have a matt finish and glaze is only applied to areas such as the eyes. The sculptures are then fired again to 1250 degrees for about 10 hours.

We have a couple of scruffy Lurchers who inspire my sculptures, as do the hares that we see on our daily walks. I can't imagine a life without my dogs and doing the things I love most which is painting and sculpting.

Although I am self-taught, so are many artists including famous ones, and I feel that if you have some natural talent, this can be nurtured by practice and determination