Just Kirsty Sculpture & Gifts

Vendor Biography

I run my  ‘Kirsty Armstrong Sculpture’ business from my home and studio in Cumbria, in the far north of England. I have been a professional sculptor since 1988, when I graduated with a BA (hons) in Fine Art, specialising in sculpture.

After spending four years at college studying, I’ve been lucky enough to have been a sculptor ever since.

Early career…

After firstly working solely for myself (which included running an arts & crafts shop in the market town where I live), in the mid 1990’s I was approached by the figurine manufacturing company; Border Fine Arts. I spent most of the next 15 years sculpting originals for them, as well as for Country artists and Beswick. I sculpted many of their breed studies of cattle as well as large animal pieces and some of the ‘James Herriot’ collection.

Border Fine Arts Breed studies

A change of direction… working for myself again

After this long spell of working for other people I decided it was time to work on my own ideas again.

This has led to me to;

Present HRH Prince Charles (now of course HM King Charles) with no.1 of my limited edition Red Squirrel sculpture; ‘Charles’, in 2011

Design and produce the Red Squirrel Survival Trust Volunteer of the year awards in 2012 and 2014.

Win a competition set by the North Pennines AONB to design and go on to produce ‘The Pendlebury award‘ in 2013.

Produce the trophies for an extreme obstacle course challenge; Gelt Gladiator, which was held in Cumbria in May 2015

Produce four limited edition Mk XV1e Spitfire sculptures which were cast in pewter for the owner of a real Spitfire, and one was then presented to a member of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

Produce the 2016/ 2017/ 2018 awards for the lighting division of the American company; ‘General Electric’.

Sculpt a Smilodon Populator (Sabretoothed tiger) figurine master for the British figurine producer; REBOR (on sale from Autumn 2021)

Sculpt the ‘Max The Miracle Dog’ publicly funded bronze statue which is now sited in a public Park in Keswick, Cumbria (2020-21).

Other interests…

I have been involved in the fight to protect the UK’s endangered native Red Squirrel since 2007 and I am a co-founder, a trustee, a volunteer and fund raiser for our local Red Squirrel group which is now a charity.

Presenting HM King Charles with one of my copper squirrel sculptures, ‘Charles’. 2011

I also love music and have sung in various bands.

Going it alone has certainly increased my creativity. I now just need to discover a way to fit more hours into the day so that I can turn all my ideas into sculptures!

I’ve recently introduced two new sculptures to my range; an Otter piece called ‘Erik’ which is connected to Shetland, where I lived as a child, and ‘Nestor’, a life size Wren who is also available in real foundry bronze.

Kirsty and her twin sister in their garden on Shetland