Stepping Out of the Frame and Into 3D

This year, I set myself a challenge: to expand my artistic practice and get outside my comfort zone. I wanted to explore new materials, try new techniques, and bring even more depth to the stories I tell through art.

So last week, I rolled up my sleeves, got completely covered in plaster (and joy), and made my very first life-size horse sculpture.

As someone who works mostly in photography and mixed media, sculpture was a completely new experience. But as an equestrian artist, it felt like a natural next step — a new way to capture the essence, strength, and grace of the horse.

Creating a Life-Size Horse Head Sculpture

The sculpture course was hands-on from the start. Using plaster, hessian, and steel wire, I slowly shaped a horse’s head from scratch. There was no digital safety net, no "undo" button — just instinct, materials, and a lot of deep breaths.

I’ve spent years studying horses through a lens or a brush, but sculpting one forced me to look at them differently. In 3D, the anatomy has to work from every angle — which is much harder than it looks! Getting the ears in the right place, the curve of the neck just right, and the feeling of presence was both challenging and deeply satisfying.

The Beauty of Working With My Hands

One of the things I loved most about the process was how physical it was. I’ve always been drawn to texture — whether in my fine art horse photography or my wax-layered pieces — and sculpture took that to another level.

There’s something special about making art with your hands. It’s messy. It’s unpredictable. But it’s also completely honest.

Right now, I’m not sure if the sculpture is finished. It may become a bronze or resin cast in future. For now, it feels like something quietly powerful — like having a horse standing silently in the garden, watching over everything.

What This Means for My Future Work

This piece marks the beginning of a new direction for me — one that ties into my vision for the Emily Hancock brand: to create work that combines all the skills and techniques I’ve gathered over the years into striking, soulful pieces that speak to horse lovers on a deeper level.

I want to become a multi-disciplinary equine artist, and sculpture is now firmly part of that journey.

Want to Follow Along?

If you're curious to see how this piece evolves — or how I bring sculpture, photography, and texture together in future works — you can:

👉 Follow me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content
👉 Or join my Studio Notes for honest updates from the studio, early access to new work, and special invitations

Thanks for being part of this journey. Trying something new can be scary — but it can also open doors to something beautiful.