About Liz McLelland
Background:
Liz McLelland studied Foundation Art at Lincoln Art College in the 1990’s, was briefly side-tracked by a degree in Professional Media before starting a long career in the conservation sector. Largely self-taught, Liz McLelland has been entrusted with a number of commissions over the years – numerous portraits of beloved pets, a 47’ marine mural in a private swimming pool, decorative murals for Bloor Homes’ show homes and a study of an ancient oak as a special retirement gift. Painting and drawing have been Liz’s constant companions, with studies of animals being her particular happy place.
More recently, Liz discovered a love of working in clay and with the purchase of her first proper kiln (the indomitable ‘NORA’) during lockdown in 2020, she has been busy observing wildlife to inspire her ceramic animal creations.
In October 2021, Liz McLelland’s sculpture “Form” was selected for the Society of Wildlife Artists’ annual show “The Natural Eye” at the prestigious Mall Galleries in London, where it sold for £650.
You can find some of Liz’s ceramics at Dotty Gallery, Twyford, Leicestershire, Basement 93, High Street, Steyning, West Sussex, and at Greens, in the village of Bassingham, Lincolnshire, with more outlets to follow.
Artist’s Statement:
‘Connecting with nature through my art.’
I’m never happier than when I’m up to my elbows in wet clay trying to recreate the shape of a creature. When I sculpt an animal it is a journey that starts with an inspiring encounter. Starting with sketches and reference photos, the clay responds and a final form emerges. Working in clay is all the more compelling for its unpredictability and there’s little more unnerving and exciting than opening the kiln to discover how the oxides and glazes have chosen to interact with the clay this time (or indeed, if the fruits of many hours of labour have survived Nora’s searing attention).
I sometimes work in two dimensions too, usually with soft pastels, oils or pen and inks to create sensitive and life-like studies of animals.
My aim with my art is to capture something of the spirit of an animal, the subtleties of its movement and the awareness in its eyes. Most of all, I am trying to recreate that moment of wonder, the sense of being treated to something secret and precious that I feel every time I am lucky enough to observe wild animals in their natural habitat. The result is that every one of my sculptures is entirely unique.
Exhibitions
October 2021. Mall Galleries, London. ‘The Natural Eye’, Society of Wildlife Artists annual show.
September 2021. Sam Scorer Gallery, Lincoln. ‘WILD!’. Joint exhibition of three Lincolnshire artists.
October 2018. Guildhall, Grantham. ‘Loving the Landscape’. Paintings in charcoal, watercolour and pastels. Group exhibition of students of artist Sarah Watson.
November 2016. Guildhall, Grantham. A Celebration of Life’. Life drawings in charcoal, collage and pastel. Group exhibition of students of artist Sarah Watson.
September 2010. Guildhall, Grantham. Grantham Art Club Annual Show.
Interested in a Liz McLelland original? Drop me a line to talk it through...
