Paul has taken his love of the wilderness and his many work and travel experiences and developed a career as an impassioned bronze sculptor. He has been drawn to creating a diverse array of creatures and has been continually adding to the sculpture garden that he keeps around his studio in North Saanich, BC.

Happy New Year – The past year was one of creativity and adventure and I feel both very fortunate and inspired for 2020. The year started with a surprise visit from a Kuwaiti gentleman who left with over 27 pieces from my studio sculpture gardens.

One of the more memorable moments was creating a Pangolin sculpture for WildAid’s fundraising efforts at the WildAid Gala in Los Angeles. This year I am also focusing on a major entry into the Sidney Fine Art Show, continued support of WildAid and the creation of some old favourites – octopus, fish, bears and a new narwhal sculpture. Stay tuned!

One of the casualties of the new COVID order has been the cancellation of the Saanich Peninsula studio tours. These events were the highlights of my year—displaying my works and meeting clients. In their absence, I set up a COVID-19 safe, private outdoor Sculpture Garden Show with over 65 sculptures on display.

Sunny Hill Children’s Hospital Therapy Garden – This project was extremely satisfying and rewarding. The BC Children’s Hospital Foundation commissioned a bear cub sculpture in the Therapy Garden at the new Sunny Hill Hospital for children.

A Tribute to Takaya – Several years ago, while picnicking on Discovery Island, we heard a howling wolf that turned out to be a lone wolf. This sparked an incredible 5‑year journey with my friend Cheryl Alexander.

The year started off extremely encouraging and promising until it hit. My only constructive approach was to continue creating in my studio. New projects included three Raven sculptures on basalt rock columns, a Howling Wolf and a new Jelly Fish sculpture.

For the past four years I have donated a custom sculpture to WildAid for their annual fundraising event. I’m continually impressed by their work and generosity. Last fall, at the WildAid Gala in Los Angeles, we witnessed inspirational speakers from around the world.

The spring and summer have been busy with three new coffee table commissions. One of a new version of the Giant Octopus Table, a second custom design using a slap of polished maple burl supported by octopus tentacles and a third featuring a school of three Chinook salmon.

My latest piece is the Crouching Octopus shown below. This piece depicts one of my favourite poses that I have observed during my diving adventures. The sculpture is approximately 16 inches high, and 18 inches in diameter around the base and weighs 65 pounds. I think the piece conveys a very strong sense of movement and it certainly was a very enjoyable piece to create. The sculpture is being done as Limited Edition of 25 and Editions 1 and 2 have been sold. Crouching Octopus is now on display at the Shell Aero Centre at the Victoria International Airport and will also be shown in Sidney Fine Art Show between October 14th and 16th.

Other new works completed this summer include a pair of Sandhill Cranes inspired by last summers’ visit down into Idaho as well as a new Tortoise, a little hedge hog, a raccoon and a Raven, a pair of Sawhet Owls and a Chinook salmon mounted on a cobble base, These pieces will be featured in upcoming my winter blog update.

A day in the Life..... I love being an artist. Walking from home, third cup of coffee in hand, settling into my warm, inspirational studio each day is immensely rewarding. I often work 10–12 hours a day, taking breaks to walk in the garden and stretch my muscles – sculpting demands intense focus and concentration, but the sense of achievement when the clay comes to life is priceless.

Of course, between new sculptures there’s a lot of technical work – mold-making can take one to two weeks with all the cutting, mixing, trimming, and drilling required. Once the mold is ready, a wax replica is made to capture every detail before delivery to the foundry. Then it’s back to the studio to regroup and start on the next project.

In between, there’s business: client correspondence, art shows, inventory management, advertising, website development, social media work, cash flow, and sometimes scheduling a studio tour or building a shipping crate for a sold sculpture.

New Works in Progress: This is an in-progress snapshot of my latest creation – a pair of Sandhill Cranes I expect to have cast in bronze by May. They were inspired by my longstanding fascination with these migratory birds and some fortuitous observations during a Northern Idaho road trip.

Other new works this spring include a custom-designed coffee table commission featuring a heart-shaped piece of maple burl supported by three giant bronze octopus legs with a small octopus suspended under glass; and a new sculpture of a standing Grizzly bear inspired by a close encounter while exploring Desolation Sound.

A Note to Potential Clients: There has never been a better time to consider purchasing a bronze sculpture from a Canadian artist. With the discounted Canadian Dollar, my sculptures are priced very competitively for USA purchases. For corporate Canadian clients, I even have interesting CRA tax treatment info for artwork.

More octopuses have been the theme this winter. The Giant Octopus Table created last year is nearly sold out (only one edition left; four tables went to Octopus Investments in the UK). A new Octopus in Motion sculpture commissioned by a local client is almost complete (photos coming in March 2015). Also, the Howling Wolf sculpture is being cast in bronze and will be installed next month. Other new creations this winter include a smaller version of the Black Tipped Reef Shark mounted on simulated coral, a Shark Coffee Table, and a burrowing owl.

I am very excited to introduce my involvement in the Priya’s Shakti project created by Ram Devineni. Mr. Devineni is a New York based filmmaker/producer and founder of Rattapallax. Mr. Devineni has created a comic book superhero, Priya, and is in the midst of a global campaign raising awareness about women’s empowerment issues and gender-based violence. The genesis of the story is in India and the signature image of the campaign and comic book series is of a young village girl, Priya, riding a Bengal Tiger (her Shakti, or source of empowerment).

My involvement in the project started after hearing an interview with Ram on CBC Radio. I was very moved by the story and the Priya campaign. I contacted Ram and suggested that a bronze statue of the campaign’s signature image – Priya sitting on the Bengal Tiger - would serve as a very permanent tribute to the Priya Movement and help to keep the level of awareness around gender based violence high. A new project was born.

The first phase of the sculpture project is now complete and the bronze maquette will be displayed in an exciting interactive show with works by multiple artists focusing on the Priya movement at the City Lore Gallery in New York City opening May 7th and running for three months.

The next phase of the sculpture project will be to finalize details of the installation site, raise project funds and then start on the life-sized sculpture.

It was ten years ago when I gave up my day job as a consulting biologist to become a full‑time artist, creating all the creatures I love. We moved into the country, built a beautiful studio in the forest, and my wife Jutta joined in making molds and wax replicas. I realize now how lucky I am to have the best possible job in such an inspirational setting – surrounded by owls, deer, raccoons, eagles, and more. Every week brings passionate inspiration for a new project, and I plan to keep creating until the wheels fall off. Thank you for your interest. Stay tuned…

The Sidney Fine Art Show is quickly coming up. It will run October 14, 15 and 16 at the Mary Winspear Centre. This year I have three entries in the show: Timber Wolf, Comforts of Home, and the Great Blue Heron sculpture.

This summer I had the good fortune to go on an incredible wilderness camping trip up into Desolation Sound. We encountered an amazing array of west coast wildlife – including a special encounter with three Coastal Wolves serenading us on a rocky bluff on West Redonda Island. I also learned how wolves and ravens work together. I’m now working on a howling wolf sculpture and a series of expressive ravens. Coincidentally, I received a commission for a howling wolf sculpture the next day, which led to meeting the former Director of Wolf Research for Washington State. Other projects underway include commissioned works for two Golden Retrievers, a smaller Black Tipped Reef Shark sculpture, and a pair of African Elephants (1/8th scale), plus a new octopus table design and fountain. This fall I’ll enter two new sculptures into the Sidney Fine Art Show and participate in the Saanich Peninsula Studio Tour.

The winter slipped by with a flurry of activity in the studio – creating ornate bronze swimming pool ladders and step rails for a California design company, and working on a new Black Tipped Reef Shark for display at the Shell Aero Centre at the Victoria International Airport. The Giant Octopus coffee table from last fall has been a big hit; we’re currently fabricating several editions for a London client. With a new summer season coming, we’ve reinvigorated the displays at the Shell Aero Centre and Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort.

I am very pleased to announce that both of my entries into this year’s Sidney Fine Arts Show, the “Giant Octopus Table” and “Languid Cougar” received Juror’s Choice Awards. There were over 400 artists and 2000 entries submitted to this year’s show. I am already planning my submissions for next year when I plan to enter both the Sidney and Sooke Fine Art Shows during the summer and fall of 2014. We are now getting ready for the Fall Studio Tour October 26 and 27. I will have lots of completed bronzes – small and large – as well as works in progress on display, demonstrations and there will be a welcoming assortment of refreshments and snacks. If you are in the area ….(see map in Contact section). A new sculpture of a Black Tipped Reef Shark that is underway in the studio. This piece will be mounted on a sculpted piece of staghorn coral. The shark is 1.5 m long and stands 65 cm high. This piece was inspired by my young daughter who is passionate about sharks and their preservation. I expect to have this piece cast in bronze by Christmas. New photos and a refreshed web design are coming soon.

The summer lull is over and I am now working on a number of new sculptures including an Egret, a new and smaller version of the Swimming Octopus that is being done for Octopus Investments in London UK and Ella, a beautiful, full of character and very large Mastiff Cross. Some other projects on the go are a new bear sculpture, a small muskox and a White Tipped Reef shark which I hope to have completed later this fall. I have two new sculptures on display at the Shell Aero Centre at the Victoria International Airport this summer including the giant octopus coffee table and a life-sized mountain lion. Both of these pieces will be entered into the Sidney Fine Art show this fall. If you are in Sidney this summer be sure to visit the Sidney Sculpture Walk that includes 13 new works by local artists including my entry of the “Board Dog”. Until October…..

My winter was particularly busy this year as I was commissioned to create a number of unique specialty items for a large villa in Russia – including a grand chandelier, a staghorn coral dining table, wall sconces in the form of giant clam shells, a bronze towel rack, and custom door hardware. With the Villa Project complete, I’m refocusing on projects like the giant octopus table and a new coffee table with sea turtles on weathered driftwood. I’ve also completed a life-sized cougar sculpture (now in clay) which will be cast in bronze in April.

After a successful fall show in October I am settling into my studio and working on new commissions. My first project is a dining room pedestal table emulating a cluster of Stag Horn Coral—an exclusive piece commissioned by a Los Angeles client. It’s the final stage of a new giant octopus sculpture that will support a round or square coffee table top, expected to be completed by early January and displayed at the Shell Aero Centre. View fullsize.

This is a picture of the White Sturgeon Sculpture commissioned by the Shaw Ocean Marine Centre in Sidney, BC. The 6‑foot bronze sculpture is mounted on a piece of maple driftwood and will be a permanent part of the Centre’s public education program.

New Octopus Sculpture – My next major project is a new Octopus Sculpture designed as a coffee table support, to be displayed at the Pier Hotel in Sidney and then at the Shell Aero Centre.

Fall Studio Tour – I will participate in the Fall Studio Tour organized by the Saanich Peninsula Community Arts Council on October 20 and 21, with my studio open from 10 am to 5 pm. Expect a large display of completed bronzes and works in progress.

My sculpture of a British Bulldog riding a skateboard—“Board Dog”—has now been installed along the Sidney Art Walk in Sidney, BC. Check the Art Walk next time you’re in town; twelve artists were selected for the first phase, and all works are available for purchase.

This is a picture of my entry into the 2012 Kingsbrae Garden Sculpture Competition in St Andrews, New Brunswick. The sculpture garden show opens on June 14.

“Toadstool” – Inspired by my love of the spring and fall seasons – the frogs’ chorus and fall mushrooms – Toadstool is whimsical and magical, meant to bring a smile to any garden visitor. The sculpture, done as an Edition of 3, weighs approximately 280 pounds.

A Note: Saanich Peninsula Studio Tour – The Spring Tour is on June 9 and 10. My studio will be open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm each day. Come for cookies, a beverage, and see new projects: Grizzly Bear, New Coffee Tables, New Octopus Table, “Boarddog” (Bulldog skateboarder), and a large White Sturgeon Sculpture for the Shaw Ocean Marine Centre.

“A Christmas Inspired” – Art Show at the Muse Winery

Our “Christmas Inspired Art Show” at the Muse Winery had a very enthusiastic turnout this year and all of the participating artists were very appreciative of the responses. We are planning an even bigger show next December! Thanks to all who came out.

Draw for Nimmo Bay Resort Stay – One of my clients who purchased the Great Blue Heron Sculpture during the Sidney Fine Art Show in October has won luxurious accommodation, dining and adventure at Nimmo Bay Resort for 3 days during the summer of 2012.

Kingsbrae Sculpture Garden - New Brunswick – I am thrilled to announce that my entry in the 4th Annual Kingsbrae Garden sculpture competition in St. Andrews, New Brunswick, has been selected as one of finalists for 2012. ‘Toadstool’ will consist of a giant mushroom with a very large frog sitting under the shelter of the mushroom cap. It is going to whimsical, very fun and it looks like there will be a big road trip coming up this summer.

Works in Progress – Other projects now underway include a new 1/3 sized open wing Eagle Sculpture commissioned by the BC Government Employees Union for their upcoming Award of Excellence ceremonies, a new Octopus in Motion sculpture, a British Bull Dog – “Oliver” riding a skateboard, a pair of spawning steelhead trout, and for some contrast, a stylized female figurative piece. Looking forward to a creative New Year. Thanks for your interest and support this past year.

Several events are planned for this fall. First there is the Sidney Fine Art show where I hope to be exhibiting up to three new sculptures (October 14, 15 and 16th) followed by the North Sidney Studio Tour (October 22 and 23). There will be a fine selection of wine and snacks served during the studio tour with lots of bronze sculptures just back from the foundry as well as numerous new works in progress. Drop by and see what is new – bring your ideas as I would love to take on some new projects.

I will be participating in a group show and sale at the Muse Winery in Deep Cove (North Saanich, BC) on December 9, 10 and 11. Always an exciting event with a rich collection of unique art works by 6 different artists and a great selection of wines from the winery. Details to be announced.

Be sure to ask about the Draw that I will be offering clients this fall. A few days of luxury, decadence and adventure up at Nimmo Bay Resort during the summer of 2012 (go to www.nimmobay.com).

My website has now been refreshed and updated with the addition of several new sculptural images and I have made a real commitment to keep it current with quarterly updates to this section. Have a look at the new gallery page!

So far this year I have completed the following sculptures in bronze: • Timber Wolf • Aero – Chocolate Lab • A Series of Abalone Deck Lights

Three small sculptures of a black bear, walrus and frog all mounted on native rock. New works in progress include a new octopus sculpture, smaller than the previous sculptures. I expect to have this piece in bronze by late October. The orangutang sculpture is nearing completion and I hope to have it cast in bronze by the early new year. Other pieces include a desk lamp with a cast abalone shell mounted on a cut river cobble and a wall mounted octopus sculpture. In a departure from my regular work, I am embarking on a new stylized sculpture using the female form. Several of my works are now on display up at Nimmo Bay Resort, at the Shell Aero Centre at the Victoria International Airport and at the Pier Hotel in Sidney BC. I will be entering 2 to 3 pieces in the Sidney Fine Art Show this September and will once again be part of the Saanich Peninsula Art Studio Tour on October 21 and 22, 2011.