My mother is a real inspiration – she has run a bird hospital for forty years, is a medal-winning cyclist, book-seller, and recent arts graduate. We worked on this portrait over many weeks in autumn 2008. It provided a perfect excuse to see more of each other and spend time chatting. The clay sculpture was cast into bronze by Livingstone Art Founders (http://www.livingstoneartfounders.com/). The Falle Fine Art Award was provided by Falle Fine Art Ltd of Jersey (http://www.fallefineart.com/). If you are interested in commissioning a portrait, please contact me on wiredandfired@hotmail.co.uk and we can arrange to talk over the phone or in person about the process as well as the costs. As with any portrait, the best results are achieved through face-to-face sittings rather than through photographs alone. These sittings can be held in your own home or in my studio.