New page on the Website showing pieces that are in progress, that way I can keep everyone who has signed up for my page up to date with whats coming along in the future, Its called “Pieces in Progress“

I have also decided that even though I’ve always stated that I make all animals, I have mainly concentrated on wild species that are endangered as they are my primal focus, however recently I sculpted a Miniature Dachshund names A Little Windswept and the attention that I received for this piece was very surprising to me, so I put up a post asking what people wanted to see next and another dog was the unanimous vote.

So with that vote being cast I have decided that I am going to continue sculpting my wild animals, however I am also going to start sculpting dog breeds alongside my other pieces. I have not told everyone what I am doing next, However it will either be a Labrador or a Golden Retriever, I haven’t quite decided yet.

I am also trying to focus on getting my numbers up on social media, so ask everyone who does follow me on Instagram, Facebook etc, please do share my account, my posts, whatever you like to view, and share it with others asking them to follow my page. The more people that follow, the more recognition I receive, and that will help put me on the path where I will be noticed by not just those who see my posts, but also by galleries, collectors etc.

My other piece that has created a stir is my male orangutan “King of the Canopy”. People love the detail he has one him and I think hopefully he will find a home soon too.

This year I am looking to appear at a number of fates, shows etc, so people can see my pieces up close and personal, and while there I’ll be sculpting something so people can see just how I create my sculptures too. I hope you all get to see me out and about.

That’s it for this blog, don’t forget, Share my posts, lets get more followers.

The post New Page on the Website first appeared on Dee Goodwill Sculptures.

Well after a very relaxing Christmas and New Year, I’m back in the Studio and sculpting away.

I’ve decided to do a couple of things differently this year, firstly I’ve started a new project, chess pieces! Its something I’ve wanted to do for a long time now, but didn’t think I’d be able to pull it off, but here I am pulling it off and my first 2 pieces are completed and drying!

The chess pieces series is called Endangered Kingdom, and there is the Dawn side and the Dusk side. I have started on the Dawn side and so far I’ve made The Dawn King and Queen of the Dawn which I am ecstatic about them both.

Another thing I would like to do this year is take part in a competition that is so big to me, and means so much to me but I’ve always been afraid of entering, I’ve just never felt good enough or well known enough, however this year I am bighting the bullet and going for it, so DSWF David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year Competition for 2026 I will give it my best.

I have already chosen a couple of pieces that I have recently finished, though one piece will not fit in my kiln so I’m very stuck on how I’m going to fire that piece, however bridges will be crossed when the time comes.

My biggest challenge for 2026 is to find a kiln that is no bigger than 30amp, but that I can fit my sculptures in, so approx 18″-21″ wide and 18″ high, if I have to beg every kiln maker in the country I will, I just need a little help, secondhand, I don’t care, I just need to be able to afford it. That is my usual stumbling block as many of you know, being disabled and unable to work, I don’t have much to spare when it comes to funds, so funding this passion of mine is difficult at times, however I’ll sell everything I have if i have too, to keep me sculpting, creating, and helping the animals.

Here are some of the pieces made this year already.

Have a great month everyone.

Dee

The post January 2026 first appeared on Dee Goodwill Sculptures.

Its been a busy month so far for me, I’ve not been well after catching a bug from my daughter last month, I just can’t seem to shift. Feeling like I’ve swallowed a cactus, have a washing machine for a stomach, and my head has been put into a vice have been a bit of a nightmare over the last 3 weeks, however, though its put me on the sofa or in bed a few times in the last 3 weeks, and cut my time short a few times, but I’m getting back on my feet and I need to.

So I’ve found an exhibition that I’ve entered, I’ve put in 3 pieces, my Little King, Big Dreams, young Mountain Gorilla, my Libera, the baby pygmy hippo and Tender Tread, my Bengal Slow Loris sat on a leaf, so fingers crossed I get in with that one, I’ve also seen a few others that I am considering entering and hope that getting my work out there helps build my name. My recent sculptures are not finished just yet, however since the small changes that I’ve made are working out, my sculptures are so much better in quality, and I’m getting some amazing feedback. So I am thinking that some of my old pieces that I sculpted at the beginning of this year, I am going to give them to my daughter to sell so she can put away the money to buy herself, her first home. Its the least that I can do as a mum and I’m not only helping the animals but I’m helping my daughter too.

I have some pieces in mind so keep a look out on my portfolio page because that’s where they’ll be. I am also going to start a new page called On Sale to Save, and hopefully that will get some pieces to their new homes.

What else is new, well I have got a new design for some business cards, so I’m just looking who can print me them off for the cheapest cost. I was actually thinking of just getting a printer and printing my own, however by the time I’ve paid out for the printer that I need, plus ink, I’m not sure it will save my anything, this is something I’m going to have to look into. I also have some other cards that I wanted to print out, to put with each sculpture, containing their name, what they are, how endangered they are, and to finish it, each animal has a small rhyme about them to you to cherish with your sculpture.

My newest pieces have been an Alpine Ibex, a Kemps Ridley Sea Turtle, a Yangtze Finless Porpoise, a Vaquita Porpoise, a Silverback Mountain Gorilla, a Mountain Gorilla mother with twins, a Hippopotamus, an Asiatic Lion Cub, and a Giant Oceanic Manta Ray. These pieces are by far some of my best work that I’ve created since I started sculpting and I can’t wait to see how they turn out once fired and airbrushed. The Vaquita Porpoise will have to be made again sadly, as he exploded in the kiln when being fired, after looking at him, there was a tiny air bubble in the wall of his head which I couldn’t see and couldn’t have known was there, so sadly he will be made again in, however the Ibex and the silverback have both fired beautifully, along with the finless porpoise and the sea turtle. Nothing else will be fired now though until we get to the bottom of a kiln problem

My kiln is not reaching temperature at the moment so Jools is now going to do some testing of the elements to see if that is the problem, I will be a bit miffed if it is the elements as we only replaced them approx 5 months ago, however, I am still dreaming of a larger kiln so that I can fire some larger pieces, and my manta ray is a prime example of that problem as by the time I’d finished putting his tail on, he was to big to fit in my kiln, so he will have to now sit in the drying room along with my tiger and my aardvark until I can find a kiln to put them in.

Thats really about it for this blog, but keep checking in and dont forget to sign up for my newsletter, dates for exhibitions, sales etc will all be in the Newsletter before they are placed anywhere else.

Take care all

keep crafting

Dee

The post Studio News & Updates first appeared on Dee Goodwill Sculptures.

I can’t quite believe I’m writing an October blog already—how on earth are we here? It feels like I blinked somewhere back in spring and suddenly leaves are falling. But if this year has flown, it’s only because it’s been full… full of growth, surprises, challenges, and some truly unforgettable moments.

Exhibition with the Association of Animal Artists

One of the biggest highlights of recent months was having three of my sculptures selected for an exhibition with the Association of Animal Artists. Being accepted into a show like that is such an honour in itself, but what made it really special was finally meeting someone I’ve admired and followed since 2019—Lisa Ann Watkins BA (Hons) (AnimalArtbyLaw).

When I first started drawing, I followed Lisa’s work religiously. She was one of those artists who not only inspired me with her talent, but encouraged me with her kindness. To finally meet her in person, chat, laugh, and even meet her lovely mum, was a full-circle moment I’ll treasure. She’s every bit as genuine and humble as she is talented—a rare combination.

Into Print – My First Magazine Feature

Another surreal milestone this year: I made it into print for the very first time.
I was selected to be featured in the 80th edition of Collect Art Magazine (CoA) under the theme #loveofmylife—not a tiny footnote, but a full five-page spread sharing my journey as an artist, alongside images of my sculptures. To see my story in glossy pages, among so many incredible artists, was both humbling and electrifying. It wasn’t just an achievement—it felt like a quiet, personal victory after years of persistence, doubt, and hard work.

Creative Evolution – Finding My Voice in Sculpture

Over the last few months, something has shifted in how I create. I can honestly say that my latest four pieces are among the strongest I’ve ever made. I’ve found myself deeply drawn to sculpting apes—there’s something about their eyes, their expressions, their emotional weight. I love the challenge of capturing that fragile blend of strength and vulnerability. Sculpting them feels natural… almost like sculpting something I already know in my bones.

That said, I never want to become predictable. As much as I adore apes, I don’t want to become “just the ape sculptor.” I crave challenge. I want movement, energy, drama—scenes that make people stop in their tracks. I’m dreaming of lions in mid-chase, lionesses leaping onto prey, raw moments frozen in clay. I’ve moved away from the more comical pieces; I just don’t enjoy them anymore. I want to create work that says something, that stirs something.

New Tools, New Ambitions – Enter the Airbrush

I’ve also begun exploring airbrushing—a whole new world in itself. My goal is to bring softer, more lifelike finishes to my sculptures, where colour blends gently into the clay instead of sitting heavily on top. It’s challenging, yes, but I love a challenge. I want to master it, refine it, and use it to elevate every piece I create. Expect plenty of airbrushing experiments in the near future—I’m determined to become the best I can be at it.

Going Live – Sculpting in Real Time on Twitch

And finally, a leap into something unexpected… I’ve started going live on Twitch, streaming my sculpting and airbrushing sessions. It’s a bit terrifying but also exciting. I’ve been told it’s a brilliant platform for creators, and I want people to see the real process—the mess, the problem-solving, the quiet magic of clay coming alive.

If you’d like to watch me work, ask questions, or simply keep me company while I sculpt, you can find me on Twitch at:
➡️ DeeGoodwillSculpturescouk

Pop in and say hello—I’d genuinely love to see you there.

This year has surprised me in all the best ways. Exhibitions, publication, new techniques, new dreams. If this is what October holds… I can only imagine what’s still to come. Thank you for being part of this journey.

The post October Reflections – Milestones, Mentors & Moving Forward first appeared on Dee Goodwill Sculptures.

23/09/2025

Well its been a while since I wrote a blog, but I’ve been very busy with new adventures, new sculptures, new techniques and new plans.

Where to start….. Well I better tell you all about the new website first, its under the same domain, as you can see if your here, but the site is completely new. I needed to make some changes along with adding new things that weren’t on my last website. So rather than just add I felt a new bit on the old website I went for a complete change. I hope you like what I’ve done, I wanted it to be more informative and fresh and light, but also enjoyable to read. I hope I’ve achieved that and you like what you see and read.

I’ve also been trying new techniques with my sculptures, to see what results I would get using different mediums to add colour, depth and effect. I’ve been using acrylic paints with my sculptures alongside glaze or on its own, as I love the effects I can create with the acrylics, however I still wanted to try other things, so I recently bought some nail powders that people use to put over their base coats to add a chrome look or a metallic look and thought I’d try it out on a base coat of white paint or a base coat of primer, wait for it to dry and then rub in the powder. It took a couple of tries, and I found using the paint brush didn’t work at all, however when I used a small pointed sponge and rubbed in the powder in a circle motion and found that it worked really well. I then painted over the powder, the pupil of the eye and then once dry I varnished the eyes to ensure it was protected and I love the results so far. I am also trying to sort out some oil paints as I’d love to see how they paint onto fired clay and what effect i can create with them.

Another huge thing that’s been keeping me busy is exhibitions. I’ve taken part in my first exhibition, I had 2 pieces in (see the pictures above) the exhibition that was Celebrating Yorkshire, and it was pretty surreal to see my work in a gallery but i felt so proud that after just over a year of sculpting I had achieved such a wonderful and important step. I am now taking part in 2 more exhibitions, one is with the Association of Animal Artists and they are holding an exhibition at The Station in Richmond, Yorkshire, it takes place from the 25th (Opening Night) and the first full day for the public is 26th September until 22nd October 2025

I have also been chosen to appear in an art magazines, 80th Special Edition. The Magazine is scheduled for release by the end of September.  In addition, a few artists that were selected for the magazine will be selected for our 10th edition of the book ‘101 Contemporary Artists and More…’ and book edition ‘365 Artists to Watch’ so I have my fingers crossed for that, however having only sculpted for a year and a 6 months I am just grateful to be in the magazine to begin with, anything more will be just an amazing bonus. As soon as I have details about the magazine I will put up a social media post as I’m sure there are some out there that will want a hard copy. I will be receiving a digital copy but I am also going to get a hard copy too. I am just blow away by the amazing response I’ve had to my sculptures and I can’t wait to make even more.

I am now on the look out for a new kiln as I need one that is much larger than mine. I am limited at the moment to a 13″ x 13.5″ sculpture to fit inside my kiln, but I wish to sculpt much larger than that. I have found a few that were perfect however so far I’ve either not got any replies to their adverts, or they have turned out to be scams, so I just delete them. I am hoping to find something that is around 25″ wide and 22″ in height, I am happy to have a top loader or a front loader but it can be no more than 30amp and a Phase 1 kiln. Sadly at the moment they are fetching a lot of money and I’m not there yet with savings, as most of what I have goes into buying my materials. However, I have everything crossed that one day, I will get my dream kiln.

As for anything else that’s been happening I think just about everyone knows that was following me because sadly I lost my Instagram account due to scammers. They had it disabled then tried to order me to pay to have it reopened and I refused. The worst process of the the whole situation is that there is no email to contact Instagram apart from one, and I’ve already been told that those emails just float around in the ether getting nowhere, and there is no phone number to contact either. Once your account has been disabled there is no way to fill out any appeal forms and I was never once told that I’d been reported either. It turned out to be a very stressful situation, so I opened a new account https://www.instagram.com/deegoodwillsculptures.co.uk/ but I still hope to get my original accounts back one day and I will continue to contact Instagram through my new account to report whats happening because something needs putting in place to stop this.

Finally I would like to wish our Raffles, the studio lodger, biscuit eater, and gentle cuddler a very happy 2nd birthday, filled with treats and presents and of course all of our love.

Well that’s about it for my first blog in a while, however I will be back soon I’m sure with updates of new sculptures, any new exhibitions and hopefully one day with news that a gallery has taken on my sculptures.

Take care everyone and keep arting

Dee

The post Updates, Newsletters & More first appeared on Dee Goodwill Sculptures.

Published on 3 July 2025 at 18:16

Hi everyone, 

I am on fire today, my second blog of the day so far, and I might even have a 3rd to come!

I’ve got some exciting updates to share—from tangled wires to a streamlined creative space, my sculpting studio just got a serious upgrade!

Thanks to my amazing daughter (whose generosity and tech-savvy spirit never cease to amaze me), I now have a brand-new microphone, webcam, and a second monitor—game changers for sure. These thoughtful gifts have transformed my little studio into a more professional, efficient space where I can sculpt, research, and connect with the world more easily.

For anyone who’s ever flipped between reference images, email drafts, and artist notes with clay-covered fingers—you’ll understand the joy of a dual-monitor setup! One screen now holds all my tools, info, and inspiration, while the other stays devoted to the creature taking shape under my hands. It’s smoother, more focused, and lets me sink deeper into the sculpting flow without tech getting in the way.

Streaming is next! With these upgrades, I’ll be able to share my sculpting process live—giving you a front-row seat to all the quirks, textures, and tales behind each piece. We’ve just got to wrangle the internet gremlins… my fiancé’s on the case (though I’m tempted to sculpt a little nudge in clay to get things moving!).

My daughter’s own setup is wildly impressive—a powerhouse designed for gaming and streaming, with towers, steam boxes and all sorts of wizardry. Seeing her forge her path so confidently makes me proud every single day. And now, thanks to her encouragement and support, I’m stepping further into the digital side of my practice too.

This new chapter feels vibrant, open, and full of possibility. Whether it’s sculpting whimsical creatures, sharing conservation messages, or simply chatting as clay takes shape—I’m excited to welcome you into my studio, one stream at a time.

“Shaped by second chances, molded by hope”
Dee 

The post 🛠️ Levelling Up My Sculpting Studio 🎙️🐾 first appeared on Dee Goodwill Sculptures.

Published on 3 July 2025 at 15:19

I’ve got a sculpture in my first exhibition

🦊 Yorkshire Tongue Twister Heads to His First Exhibition accompanied by The Yorkshire Trotter🎉

I’m absolutely delighted to share that my sculpture Yorkshire Tongue Twister has been selected for the Still Celebrating Yorkshire exhibition at Badger in the Wall Gallery in North Yorkshire. This marks the first time one of my pieces will be publicly exhibited—and I couldn’t be prouder.

Created on 25th February 2025, Yorkshire Tongue Twister was born out of my love for playful character, intricate detail, and the charming quirks of Yorkshire. He carries with him a dash of regional wit and a big dose of wild spirit, and crafting him was one of those wonderfully chaotic sculpting days where clay felt alive in my hands.

The exhibition will run from 19th July to 16th August, and is located at:

📍 Badger in the Wall Gallery
Home Barn
Church Avenue
Clapham
North Yorkshire
LA2 8EQ

Still Celebrating Yorkshire showcases a vibrant collection of works inspired by the county’s heritage, landscapes, and personality. I’m honoured to have Yorkshire Tongue Twister among them, especially in such a beautifully curated space.

If you’re in the area or planning a trip to North Yorkshire, I’d love for you to visit the gallery and meet him in person. He’s quite the chatterbox—even if you can’t always decipher his woodland dialect.

Thank you to all of you, for being part of this journey with me—whether through quiet support, kind words, or social media and joining the mischief of my animal-inspired world, your support means everything to me.

“Shaped by second chances, molded by hope”
Dee

The post The Day Has Arrived….. first appeared on Dee Goodwill Sculptures.

Published on 27 May 2025 at 23:58

Things Are Going….

great!

I’m getting quite a lot done over these past couple of weeks now I have my home back to myself, well excluding the 2 puppies that we kept and the 3 adults we already have, however, even with the extra noise, the house is so happy.

I don’t talk about my past very much as it tells you everything in my links About Me, however I was asked recently how did I cope, how do I stay positive after everything we went through, together and each individually.

Well after some thought I realised something. Yes we went through some very hard times, I’m sure I’ve got some PTSD from everything, however, I still consider my LUCKY. Why? Well, I was told 17 and a half years ago that the odds were very much against me and that it was very likely I wouldn’t get to see my daughter, who was 3 at the time grow up.  Well I’ve just watched her celebrate her 21st birthday and my heart beams with pride.  

I am lucky because I lived, I beat my cancer, my tumour though still with me has been dormant since my treatment, we have a roof over our heads, it might not be ours but its still a home, I have a wonderful fiancé that I plan on marrying very soon, and we have 5 beautiful miniature dachshunds that make our home very much alive, and finally, I get to spend my days sat in my spare room which I call my studio, sculpting away for as long or as little as I like, enjoying the process of it more than I’ve ever enjoyed anything involved with my art.

I can honestly say I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy with my art and my journey through life, as I am right now. 

Today I finished a piece that has been an absolute paint to create. I sculpted this owl 3 times before I successfully managed to keep it in one piece and paint it. My new adventure with acrylics is going to great and I ‘m enjoying the whole process so much, I can’t wait to get into my sculpting room each day and start something new, or finish something I started.  The final rendition is just worth the wait, the stress, the retries, because when I see that finished piece, it blows my mind that first I created that! and secondly just how much people like my sculptures.  I truly hope I can continue doing this for the rest of my life.

I hope you like my last piece, finished today, my beautiful barn owl, named Spirits Guardian. 

I look forward to chatting again soon, and hopefully Ill have some updates regarding a couple of competitions I’ve entered to hopefully be involved in some exhibitions.

Dee

“Shaped by second chanced, molded by hope”

The post Things Are Going…. first appeared on Dee Goodwill Sculptures.

Published on 17 May 2025 at 13:16

A Step in Another Direction

I’m excited to share a new evolution in my sculpting journey! While sculpting animals remains my greatest passion, I’ve been exploring different finishing techniques beyond traditional firing and glazing.

Some of my past glazed pieces—like my Gorilla and Orangutan—turned out beautifully, but I’ve also experimented with oil paints, acrylics, and mixed mediums, discovering new ways to bring life to my sculptures. One of my recent pieces blends acrylic layers on the body with glazed details on the hooves, eyes, and tongue, creating a striking contrast in textures.

Now, I’m ready to fully embrace this approach and refine it further. Mixed mediums offer incredible creative possibilities, and I already have an exciting concept in mind—a tiger sculpture with a painted body, where the stripes will be fired to give them a raised shine!

This is a direction I’m thrilled to explore, and I can’t wait to share more of these innovations with you all. Stay tuned!

The post New Techniques, New Journeys first appeared on Dee Goodwill Sculptures.

Published on 12 May 2025 at 00:15

May Time Already!

Hi everyone, I’m so sorry its been a while since my last blog, but things here have been rather manic!  We had a little surprise and 2 weeks later we had multiple ones, see pictures below 😂 

So with that happening things have been very stretched, I’ve been sleeping on the sofa for 9 weeks now as I hate the thought of leaving them through the night so I’m suffering like crazy with my back but needs must.  Two have gone to their new homes and are thriving, and one is waiting to be collected on the 18 May to go to his new home, that will leave us with one little munchkin that needs her forever home and boy is she cute. 

Two of them are staying with us, one I named Bodhi Bear because he’s been a very dark little fuzzball from the day he was born, and the other is called Mishka, which means little bear, we thought it was fitting for her because she is the tinniest of the litter but wow by far the most ferocious one out of the 6, she doesn’t take any messing and if Jeffery, the largest of the litter by far, picks on her, she puts him in him right in his place.  

I have loved having the little balls of fun, I will be happy to see them move on to their new beginnings so I can grab some sleep and manage to get some more sculpting and glazing done.

I have managed to catch up on a few pieces and I’ve taken photographs of them for you to see. I have also done a little work on my website and added a couple of new pages with some great pictures for you to enjoy.

So what’s the plans for the future, well I’m starting something new this week, and since I started this blog our last puppy has found her home, so its now onwards once things get back to a little normalcy around here.             

For now I’m going to start my new  pieces and start thinking of a new name for this series.  So far I’ve completed my first ne piece which is a very cute little elephant, which is lay down on its front, with its bottom in the air, and she’s holding a paint brush up in the air in her little trunk.  My next piece is already up there in my mind, so I can’t wait show you these pieces when they are finished, I think its going to start with a few elephants, then it will move on to another animal, maybe a little gorilla, then I think I’m going to make a few bonbos to try and help bring awareness to their plight.

Keep sculpting, keep drawing, keep painting, enjoy whatever it is that you do, and we’ll chat again soon.

Dee.                                                                                                               

The post May Time first appeared on Dee Goodwill Sculptures.