Ceramic sculpture – Ellen Cooper Art

Ollie, Bunzle and Ruby

Three Dog Commissions

Ollie, Bunzle and Ruby are three much loved dogs. I was asked to make Ollie and Bunzle as secret Christmas presents from photographs taken on the sly. Ruby was also done from photographs.

Ollie, photograph — Ollie

Ollie, the finished sculpture

A different view of Ollie

Ollie finished sculpture — Ollie reminds me of a cuddly teddy bear!

Ollie

Model and sculpture — Model and sculpture, not sure what Ollie thinks!

Bunzle, a Griffon

Bunzle sculpture — Bunzle the sculpture

Bunzle face — I just love the face!

Bunzle face — The real thing

Bunzle Photograph

Bunzle sculpture — Sitting pretty

Bunzle back — Quite a fluffy tail

Bunzle front

Bunzle

Bunzle and sculpture — Model and sculpture

Ruby Chocolate Labrador — Ruby, Chocolate Labrador

Ruby sculpture

Ruby sculpture — Looking hopeful

Ruby — Ruby being good

Ruby sculpture

Ruby sculpture side

Ruby sculpture — The fur is a mixture of matt underglazes

Ruby Sculpture

Playful Ruby

Ruby sculpture, back view

Latest Paintings and Sculptures

Latest Paintings and Sculptures: new for 2018

Seated Figure

This is the fourth sculpture from life I have done from this model. Previous ones can be found on the ceramics page: young woman reclining and the bust “Verity.” There is also a larger seated figure in bronze resin. This model is very rewarding to sculpt; she has great natural poise and elegance and is great at holding the pose! I have finished this version in a rich golden glaze.

Seated Figure

Seated Figure — Sculpted from life

This is a breed of dog I have not sculpted before:

Dandy Dinmont

Again I have used a metallic glaze but this time bronze rather than gold.

This little fat cat is different from others I have made..

I have used coloured slips to give the cat a soft velvety looking finish. Glossy glaze was only applied to the eyes. This gives a soft looking but durable finish as the colours are fired in, not painted on the surface. Tough enough to live outside!

Here is something different, one of my flights of fancy, a happy birdlike pair.

Lean on Me — A Happy Couple

Lean on Me — Lean on Me
39 x 12 x 20 cm

My latest paintings include quite a few birds, as well as a tree, some flowers and a marsh at daybreak. Also a cat.

Goldfinch — Goldfinch, 35.5 x 25.4 cm,

Wren in Flight — Wren in Flight, 35. x 25.4 cm, £45

Blackbird 2 — Blackbird 2, 28 x 38 cm,

Black Cat — Black Cat, 25 x 28 cm, £40

Wood Pigeon — Wood Pigeon, 30 x 23 cm,

Marsh Dawn with Sheep — Marsh Dawn with Sheep. 38 x 28 cm, £40

Field Poppies — Field Poppies, 40 x 34 cm, £60

Teasels 2 — Teasels 2, 50.5 x 40 cm, £50

Wind Sculpted Tree — Wind Sculpted Tree, 38 x 28 cm, £45

Working From Photographs

Lady and Ntombi

These are two works that only had photographs to work from.

Ntombi

This is the photograph that inspired ‘Ntombi,’ a new born rhino. As you see they really do have huge feet!

Ellen’s interpretation is not aiming at an exact copy, but is rather an exploration of form and texture while preserving the essence of baby rhino!

The eye and textures and folds around the ears and face were of particular interest. The glaze gives it expression and sparkle. Below Ntombi (young woman in Zulu) is taking her first hesitant steps.

Ellen with rhino on knee — Ellen is very fond of her new pet…

Ellen feeding baby rhino — but I am not sure that lettuce is the best food!

Lady

This sculpture aimed more at realism as it is to remember a pet German Shepherd dog. The only photographs available were of poor quality.

Lady- close up of face — Close up of face.

ceramic dog face — The face of the sculpture.

The second photograph shows more of the dog.

second photograph — Second photograph

front view of ceramic dog — Ellen’s interpretation.

german shepherd sculpture — She seems to be asking for attention.

side view of Lady — She looks as if she might jump up any minute!