Artist Louise Jarvis
the moon. It is the hardest show to get a trade stand space at and it always was a dream to one day exhibit at it.
“My business began for the first eight years solely in portraiture and it is only in the last two years that I have added sculpture to my list of services I offer my clients, following on from studying an MFA where I made my first sculpture, 11 years on from graduating with a BA from Duncan of Jordanstone college of art and design in Dundee.
“I have personally been to Crufts in the past and I, in fact, presented two portraits in 2012 as surprise presents in the show ring.
“I always dreamt I would be back one day exhibiting my art, but never imagined I would actually be showcasing sculpture work instead.”
Louise knew from day one that she wanted a bulldog to be her showstopper piece.
She said: “Breeders are being advised to extensively health test these breeds before breeding and good breeders will do this without hesitation.
“I wanted to showcase the good work that these breeders are doing to better the heath of the bulldogs and show the time, effort and financial cost they are lovingly investing to keep the breeds they love healthy and here for many years to come.
“I know it hasn’t been easy for them and for these breeders the health of their dogs comes first and is paramount in their minds.
“I put a call out to Bulldog breeders on Facebook. Sandra contacted me putting forward photos of Hetti and I fell in love with her instantly.
“She has bags of personality and I knew she would be perfect for my stand. She has the sweetest sour expression and creating her as a life-size sculpture didn’t come without its challenges; 72kg of clay was used in creating her, once hollowed she weighs 55kg and once fired slightly less.
“The physical challenge of creating a life-size full body standing sculpture was new, exciting and utterly terrifying.
She added:“I look forward to meeting everyone at Crufts March 5-8, Birmingham NEC. My stand will be in hall one and the stand number is 127.”
Creating her as a life-size sculpture didn’t come without its challenges; 72kg of clay was used in creating her