Barbara Franc

This is a commissioned piece, my client sent me a whole treasure trove of items from travels with her mother to be incorporated

and Yes, it does have real gold coins included…..it is 55cm H x 62cm L x 18cm W

The Polka dot Pony on the left was a fun way of using up my store of tin with spotted patterns and The Red Pony is named after my favourite childhood book by John Steinbeck.

They are approx 42cm H x 46cm L x 19cm W

This Horse has it's name from a commemorative spoon on it's right cheek which reads 'Niagara Falls'...so obviously this Horse is only for the flat racing season and not suitable over jumps!
 

The larger Horse is 51cm h x 51cm L x 16cm W and her Foal is 43cm H x 40cm L x 12cm W

this is a one- off lost wax bronze cast of a Horse….I’m hoping to make more as this one sold all too quickly…wish I’d kept it

it is 30cm H x 33cm L x 9cm W. cast at Castle Fine Arts Bronze Foundry

Armature from wire, form sculpted and then covered in silk textiles to afford the luxury of a Polo Horse or Pony as it should be called. The textiles’ patterns are also a play on the name of a favourite mint sweet.

It is 45cm H x 50cm L x 16cm W

another Polo Pony made from silks with its tail tied up in polo fashion. Zips make very good hogged manes.

It is 44cm H x 46cm L x 17cm W

this was a commissioned piece made from wire, tin, copper and brass.

It is 47cm H x 52cm L x 15cm W

A horse that might be described as 'Steampunk' style because of​ all the cogs, levers and hinges to be found on it's body. The draft excluder mane reminds me of the hogged manes of the ancient Greek horses hence the name.

74cm long x 63cm high x 20cm wide                

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Two horses on wood bases, made from Scottish Whiskey tins, they are approx 47cm H x 44cm L x 15cm W

This  piece is made from recycled food tins. colanders and scraps of copper sheet. A beautiful little mare   74cm long x 57cm high x 20cm wide 

Fleet by name fleet by nature, a horse constructed with love, knitting needles. Totopoly game pieces, horse brasses and more.

It is 55cm H x 54cm L x 18cm W and now is in France

a profile of the horse

Close up of my Owl showing the opticians’ test lenses that I found to use for its eyes

Here it is perched on an old deed box with a rather intriguing name that I found at a car boot sale. This sculpture is 75cm H x 41cm W x 28cm D

I made a second Owl and here it is in its owners home. The initialled Deed box gave rise to the title and the bird is festooned with playing pieces from draughts, monopoly, chess and dominos (what to play first?) ……perhaps I should have called it Eagle Owls Compendium of games instead! The sculpture is 64cm H x 49cm L x 33cm W

three Owls all made from recycled tin and wire perched on a box and a piece of table leg

These two Owls on a metal box are 36cm H x 37cm L x 19cm W

This single fellow is perched on a wooden table leg and the whole piece is 44cm H x 22cm W x 22cm L

A bounding Hare with a sculpted foam core covered with hand dyed fabrics and metal bands, mounted on a first aid box.

it is 49cm H x 94cm L x 25cm W

A Hare where I have sculpted the form from hard foam, covered it in hand dyed fabrics and added the details from chocolate tins. It has old forms for casting chocolate hanging around it’s neck.

a Hare with a sculpted hard foam core, covered with hand dyed and embroidered fabrics, dressmaker tapes and it sits on a locked wooden box with the words “Do not open” on top….there really is a secret something inside that only I know about!

Showcasing my bad embroidery!

This large Brown Hare owes its name to the flighty nature of the beast, so I could not resisting an appropriate piece of fabric on its left cheek. I used a huge assortment of natural fabrics.

it is 65cm H x 26cm W x 34cm D and lives with a wonderful collector of my work who has several of my pieces in his home.

I developed a new way of working with textiles when I sculpted these hollow heads so that light could go through them to some extent. As they are hollow they are mounted on a perspex rod inside a glass dome. I have a lot of fun embroidering coloured threads through the dyed muslin layers.

here is the piece on display, the dome measures 51cm H x 27cm diameter

I do not enjoy symmetry so all my hare’s have one embroidered eye and one glass taxidermy eye….I find that gives a piece much more life

This is the Summer Hare, finished and without it’s dome cover so you can see the details more closely

Here is the Summer Hare in its dome ready for display

These two Hares can be displayed leaping or bounding across a wall.

They both measure approx 75cm long x 55cm high x 20cm deep, and are constructed out of a whole selection of found materials, ranging from blocks of wood, old fabrics, typewriter keys, tin and knitting needles and whatever else I could lay my hands on

The 'Haberdasher's Dog' is 55cm H x 78cm L x 24cm W

This fellow is made from scraps of my daughter's old trousers, a headscarf I found on a dog walk and a friend's old curtains

This shaggy dog is based on my own dog's dam who was a full pedigree.  I made it using as many tweeds as possible and I love the 'dog's tooth' design in particular. It stands 66cm H x 80cm L x 20cm W

In this piece I have incorporated an old tapestry from my Grandma, it depicted the story of Red Riding Hood and I've been able to save the images of the girl in her cloak, Grandma's house and the big bad wolf!

the title comes from a wonderful French expression for twilight, the time between the Dog and the Wolf, when you can't quite be sure which is which.

My 'Twilight' Hound is made in soft grey fabrics and is 58cm H x 67cm L x 21cm W

This was a commission piece where my client sent me some interesting fabrics to incorporate, the watch strap for an eye being one of them.

Some of the other items donated for Ted were part of the real Ted’s dog blanket, his owners sequinned evening bag and a fluorescent green sports cap plus a second wristwatch which became the collar.

The piece is 58cm H x 67cm L x 30cm W

These three dogs are all made from tweeds and tapestry fabrics…the one on the left is Tapestry Lurcher and the one on the right is Artemis’ Hound they are both about 57cm H x 67cm L x 26cm W.

The little cheeky Mongrel sitting down is 44cm H.x 35cm L x 28cm W

This piece was made specifically for a show in Basel, Zurich celebrating all things Denim.

It is 53cm L x 75cm L x 21cm W

It was exhibited at the Welt Spielzeug Museum and is now privately owned

with this piece I wanted to explore trying to make a dog with a much shorter coat and not so shaggy as the others, I used silk brocades and velvets for this greyhound type.

49cm H x 66cm L x 19cm W

The title comes from an Italian saying meaning there is always someone who turns up at every festivity uninvited.

This hopeful dog waiting for a tit-bit is 52cm H x 68cm L x 24cm W

This commissioned piece took me out of my comfort zone with dog types but I really enjoyed the challenge.

One of the rare life size dogs I’ve made it is 41cm H x 53cm L x 17cm W

And here is the second Terrier also a small life size female.

A commissioned piece and my client requested it to be a small version for her daughter…I’ve lost the exact measurements…approx 25cm H. It is now on the other side of the World in Australia

a wild cousin of our own dogs, this was made for a show demonstrating the plight of this endangered wild dog.

44cm H x 48cm L x 21cm W

NO NOT DOGS!!! These two life-size rats were a present for my daughter. They are portraits of her delightful pets, the name Dumbo comes from the fact that these particular tame rats have very large ears.

These three have a wire armature and body made from papier mâché. I am always inspired by the elegance of these gentle creatures….approx height is 42cm

these two dogs are mixed media and are maquettes for future work…but beautiful in their own right. They are approx 35cm H

these two mixed media dogs have the same type of armature but one has a textile covering, the other paper mâché size wise they are approx 36cm H

This was a commissioned piece where the owner gave me personal items to incorporate, such as a pair of climbing shoes, carabiners and flag pins. It was based on her own dog and the finished piece is 43cm H x 43cm L x 18cm W

Wire netting, cutlery, tin recycled metals   2009

 70cm long x 49cm high x 23cm wide

Sculpture of a dog made from wire netting, old cutlery, tin and recycled metals

This life size little Terrier is from galvanised wire netting with pieces of amaretti biscuit tin sewn on with copper wire

this piece was made some years back and was the size of a large Greyhound

85cm H x 115cm L x 58cm W

this was made back in 2009 when my own dog was a puppy

'Anchovy' is made from lots of recycled bits and pieces, including anchovy tins, of course.

45cm H x 66cm L x 32cm W

I thought it would be fun to make a textile feline sculpture, the button eyes catch the light and it looks as if it has been caught out whilst up to something. it is 46cm H x 40cm L x 13cm W

'Fishoek's' name comes from a wine top favourite!

48cm H x 50cm L x 25cm W

This expression appears in a lot of languages, the earliest version from a 1546 book of proverbs "When all candles be out, all cats be grey", with the meaning that the qualities that distinguish people from one another are obscured in some circumstances, if they ca't be perceived they don't matter.

However, apparently Benjamin Franklin used it explaining why to take an older woman to bed!

52cm H x 47cm l x 18cm W

a gentle Chinese proverb that is also echoed in the Irish "If you befriend a stray cat, you will always have enough of whatever you need"

The Ginger cat is made from pickle forks, fish knives, dog lead clips and cat food tin amongst many other bits and pieces.

46cm H x 26cm L x 31cm W

I love the idea of an alley cat being made from detritus that he might wander around in on his nightly jaunts. The eye, however, is from a favourite wine of the artist.

55cm H x  62cm L x 20cm W

She is quite the fowl with diamanté' broach and a ring of plastic carrots round her neck

not sure if she stands up when she plays the Piano though! Excuse my random thoughts……this fine Hen was made to commission adorned with my client’s pearls, buttons and mementos. She stands 48cm H x 35cm L x 28cm W. now living in the US

A Portuguese phrase about the age old theme of envy.

I like to use old wooden rulers for my hens' tail feathers, also parts of a metal vegetable drainer,chicken farm animals and watch straps.

44cm h x 38cm L x 36cm W

My very own little trademark…..I love to use little toy hens for the Coxcombs on my fowls

this proud and also colourful girl, has a tail full of rulers and wooden playing pieces, along with a fish knife in her wing

44cm H x 37cm L x 35cm W

I do think Chicken's rears are always a bit 'untidy' and chaotic

A cockerel brimming with found items from knitting needles, vegetable colanders and decorative beads to chess pieces, cutlery and wooden rulers. It stands 45cm H x 38cm L x 30cm W

This plump Cockerel definitely looks a bit lazy, despite the amount of Suns and Stars on him to help tell the time.

46cm H x 45cm L x 33cm W

Toy Cockerels in his Coxcomb and half a soapdish on his breast

I wanted to portray this Hen as a bit of a Maverick, hence the use of broken toy fences, green trees and soaring birds. 

this Hare from recycled objects was made specifically for a Museum in Ontario as part of their permanent recycling display. He looks a bit anxious as I had a very specific size that it could be to fit on their display shelves hence the folded down ears! It is 32cm H x 34cm L x 19cm W

The two Hares both with their bells are approximately 76cm H x 30cm W x 35cm D.
I found an old singer sewing machine that was broken beyond repair but it did yield up some interesting parts that I incorporated into these two.

An Irish saying that has two meanings, either 'be patient and wait for a better opportunity' or the more common 'calm down' for when a situation is getting heated and out of control.
This little Hare is made from typewriter keys, serviette rings, kilt pins and cutlery amongst many other items.
It is 53cm H x 22cm W x 29cm L

The bells I used here were a Car Boot sale find, they come from a Morris dancer's anklet!

79cm high x 37cm long x 22cm wide​

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72cm high x37cm long x24cm wide​

I did not have my usual windscreen wiper arms for back legs in this piece, a  wheel castor and small metal trowel worked just as well.​

this piece was a commissioned gift for a playwright, the name's a clue!

I was given a large bag of used windscreen wipers and I think I used over 20 in this piece​

This Swan is a commissioned piece with items donated by my client from a tin gardening mug and outdoor tap to a mobile phone case and dog lead clips. It sails gracefully on the floor and is 55cm H x 63cm L x 30cm W.

Another commissioned Swan with items incorporated from my client. 54cm H x 65cm L x 36cm W

Rather a fitting motto for its eye…..Never Never Give Up

This is one of my textile swans that I had cast into bronze resin. It was a complex piece to cast keeping all the fine detailing of the wires and fabric textures. It is in an edition of 5 and there is just one left.

This close up shows the textural details of the various materials used in the original sculpt such as lace, leather, wire and a vintage button eye.

Cygnus would sit serenely in any garden

this is a life size Swan that I have made using very different techniques. First of all there is an armature made of blocks of wood and plaster over which I bound a green damask fabric and then a leather fabric. The fabric is held in place with black binding wire and copper nails. The beak is from red leather and two buttons for it's eyes.

this is one of my favourite photos of the two pieces, the Hen has her beady "Fox alert' eye on the Red Rogue

the fox is life size, with typewriter carriages in his legs

I was able to use an old spectacle case and cutlery on the Fox's flanks

surgical scissors and watch straps used on the 'mask'

The Hen always seemed well capable of handling the Fox

Two Roosters are better than one !

My client gave me some whiskey tins to make into squirrels, so here we have a slightly green Grey Squirrel but I think he looks rather dapper. It is 26cm H x 29cm L x 20cm W and now resides in Scotland with his red friend….no doubt sampling the whiskey

this lively squirrel has a metal armature and then a sculpted form covered in textiles from woollen tweeds to chenille. It sports my trademark embroidered stars that I put on most of my fabric work as its the only decorative stitch I know! It is 50cm L x 23cm H x 11cm D

a close up of the Squirrel with its beady eye

this was a life size piece measuring 57cm L x 47cm H x 23cm W.

I used bicycle parts, stethoscopes, jewellery and badges donated by my client

A very precious and sentimental gold diamond ring became part of the eye!

This Badger was commissioned for a Grandfather , an unapologetic smoker (hence his ashtray and Swan Vesta matches) a World War 2 Forces veteran with his insignia forming the Badger’s eye plus his old wristwatch. and various Vespas! I always feel very honoured when people entrust me with their mementos, in the future those items are always there to bring their love back in memory. This Badger is 75cm L x 45cm h x 23cm W

This particular Badger has several ground down pieces from an old Singer sewing machine to emphasise the strength of it legs and claws for digging. I also included several toy metal cows to hopefully suggest that Badgers and Cattle should live together and solutions for the problems of Bovine TB should be found.

This delicate creature is made from typewriter parts, tiny spanners and silver spoons to name a few items

60cm H x 40cm L x 15cm W

a very common British saying that I have illustrated with Long tailed Titmice, as you never see one on it's own.
The glass Bell Jar with a ceramic base was found in an old clock repair shop where it was no longer needed for display.

The jar is 45cmH x 38cm W x 23cm D

It is quite difficult to find these old jars now, but they lend themselves perfectly to a small collection of my tin birds

a lovely Italian phrase for some peoples' self absorption! This jar is filled with a variety of songbirds, a Wren, a Goldfinch, a Greenfinch, a Chaffinch and a Robin.

The jar is 40cm H x 26cm W

a beautiful Chinese saying to 'keep hope alive and to stay positive'
The birds in this piece are 2 Great Tits, 2 Blue Tits and a Wren, the jar is 40cm H x 26cm W

This tiny Wren feels right at home amongst the flowering wire twigs all made from recycled metals. In a small bell jar for display

This delightful thief stands atop its treasure chest, adorned with some of its swag and it always looks on ‘the bright side’ of life!

it is 36cmH x 44cm L x 23cm W

This little Wren sits atop an opening ring box….it was bought for someone to put their engagement ring in to ‘pop’ the question.

I have made a few of these as they prove very popular desktop presents for the man in your life who loves Cricket!

Chaffinch

smaller than the other and also a lot more rare

a wall mounted piece for indoors as are all the others

once a very very common bird in urban areas, less so now unfortunately

This piece is freestanding for display

The Macaws that are wall-hung are based on life when these birds cling to the sides of a cliff face  to help themselves to the minerals in the soil.​

The Macaws are all made with a wire armature onto which I have soldered​ tin pieces. The colour is the recycled decorative biscuit tins etc which are cut to shape, the edges sanded and then soldered into place to suggest the feathers of these colourful birds. The majority are to be hung from the wall and are approximately lifesize with the average length from beak to tip of tail of 110cm.

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This piece hangs acrobatically​ from a wire hoop suspended from the ceiling.

A friend asked me to make a stag as a present for his wife, her favourite colour being turquoise … I resisted at first but changed my mind for the better, this stag lead to me making the colourful tin horses. This Fallow is 51cm H x 45cm L x 23cm W

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This is my most recent Fox commission and I was happy to deliver it in person and see where it would stand in her garden.

This piece along with the others below was made in between 2008- 2010

It is 56cm H x 94cm L  x 29cm W

Alert Ahead's profile showing the thick resin coating on some of the wire which has then been sprayed with red oxide paint

43cm H x 103cm L x 28cm W

57cm H x 92cm L x 30cm W

115cm H x 90cm L x 37cm W

Both Huntley and Palmer are approximate life size

This chap is a little larger than the previous ones at 120cm H x 100cm L x 40cm W

This piece of an adult Zebra is a lot smaller in scale, stands approx 45cm H

This adult Zebra is

53cm H x 68cm L x 18cmW

This early sedate creature was made with a mixture of wire, copper, recycled scrap metal, tins and plastic milk cartons

58cm H x 90cm L x 26cm W

This second cow was a touch more lively and with an even larger selection of bits and pieces incorporated into it.

It was about the same size as the first one.

head detail of 'Crumple II'

This Galloping Bull is a commissioned piece and one of the few times I was able to deliver personally and see where it would be displayed in their home….always a treat to see. It is 41cm H x 48cm L x 18cm H

Three Fish swimming together made from copper wire, brass shim and glass paint.

This piece is based on a Perch and is made from steel wire, lead, brass and scrap metals.

58cm L x 33cm H x 10cm D

I have made several Marlins and they all have the nickname of 'Hemingway' in honour of the book 'The Old Man and the Sea' one of my favourites.

They are all made from a variety of recycled metals and are approx. 120cm long

this fish was commissioned by a couple for their kitchen, it is full of personal memorabilia from wedding place settings and flat keys to climbing ties and apothecary weights.

This savage looking fish with those ridiculous teeth is about 60cm L, in the real World they are only a couple of centimetres long!

this Salmon on it's way upstream is about 50cm L made from copper wire and brass shim

another fish swimming upstream

the base is the wheel from a Singer sewing machine.

The Sculpture is 73cm H x 40cm L x 17cm W

Told you it fooled my cats!

Old used Lead is a wonderful material to use, metal retains a 'memory' of its last form which makes it an interesting medium to work with. It requires gentle handling.

48cm H x 48cm W x 21cm D

The first corset I made had protection for two wings

62cm H x 60cm W x 35cm D

back view of Corset I

This piece encompasses words from  the book of poems 'concerning the Angels' by Rafael Alberti

made from lead sheet, copper and steel wire, laminated print and lace.

52cm H x 30cm W x 30cm D

Serenity against a mirror in the garden to show the rear view of the hollow interior

70cm H

side view of Serenity

from one piece of lead beaten into shape

69cm H x 15cm W x 15cm d

a small group of figures about 35cm H. They are also each made from one piece of lead

From this side you can see the hollow interior

this piece may look solid from this angle, it is,  in fact, made from several sheets of lead moulded with a hammer into shape and soldered together. No forms were used, just gently hammered on my lap.

It has metal rods inside the legs which go down into a lead covered wood base,

I no longer have it's measurements as it sold some time ago, it was about 55cm L

This bird is also made from several sheets of lead, soldered and stitched together.

I made a few birds like this at the time, they all looked solid but were hollow inside (like a chocolate egg!)

Life size bird

Fixed onto a pressure treated wood base covered in lead sheet

life size as indeed the other lead birds are