Hi there! I am Mandy Michelle Bryson, a sculptor turned prop maker with a painstaking eye for detail, carefully creating one off pieces to be treasured for years to come.

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I trained at Edinburgh College of Art receiving the Andrew Grant Scholarship to stay on to study at Post Graduate level. At this point I was primarily a stone carver but also spent a lot of time working directly from the model in clay and casting into plaster, cement fondue and bronze. This traditional training has stayed with me and is called upon time and time again in my current practice especially the anatomy of both human and animal form.

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I now make, what I describe as, fine art props, mixed media 3D art which is hand crafted using the methods of sculpting, faux taxidermy, textiles and painting. 

Up until the spring of 2022 I worked for a company solely making the props and floristry for the Christmas Indoor Trails at Blenheim Palace. 

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I have now taken the plunge and gone self employed working from my tiny green shed in the garden of Claypipe Cottage, my North Northumbrian home, with the sound track of seagulls and Badger my miniature schnauzer who has so much to say on every subject.

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I am at my happiest when I have my 'tunes' on, zipped into my boiler suit, sleeves rolled up, getting stuck in. I picked sculpture all those years ago because it felt like I was doing a real job, a bit of hard graft, it is fully immersive and hours just evaporate.

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I am lucky to have access to a small industrial unit and an incredibly patient engineering son for larger pieces and those that require metal work.

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I find it so hard to narrow down my imagination enough to get started sometimes, I have ideas whirling in my head of wolves in sheep's clothing, owls and pussycats in pea green boats, hares leaping over tortoises, circus poodles on balls and terriers on wheels. 

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What I do know is that I am drawn to the more innocent time of childhood and the nostalgic simple story telling of children's literature, the imagery of those treasured books and much loved, well worn toys. 

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I also love Victorian postcards and in particular the anthropomorphic element, the way animals take on a human stance or gesture or item of clothing. I always like to try to incorporate this into my pieces to humanise them, make them have a story of their own to tell.

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I become incredibly attached to my creations (especially the furry ones), we become the best of friends and I find it so hard to say goodbye when it's time to pack them off to their new homes.

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If you would like to commissions me to make something special for your event, theatre, commercial space, shop window or home please don't hesitate to get in touch.

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I'd love to hear from you.

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Mandy

n text and edit me. It's easy.

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