Art has always been a part of Dee’s life, though her journey to becoming a sculptor was anything but conventional.

As a child, she dreamed of being an author, illustrator, or artist, but as she grew, life’s responsibilities took centre stage. Raising a family, working, and building a stable home became priorities, and her pencils and paints were set aside—waiting for the right moment to return.

For years, she believed realism was beyond her reach, sticking to cartoon characters whenever she did draw. Then, after facing a long and challenging illness that left her unable to work, many of her hobbies felt out of reach due to physical limitations and costs. Sitting at home, unsure of what the future held, Dee rediscovered the spark she thought she'd lost. Inspired by a short film on drawing, she dusted off her old art supplies and gave herself permission to create again.

This time, she didn’t return to cartoon characters—she craved a challenge. Horses and wildlife became her focus, leading her to explore various mediums until she found her favourite: soft pastels and pastel pencils. As her skills grew, family and friends started requesting pet portraits, and DeeDackelsaArt was born—a name that paid tribute to her own identity and her favourite dog breed.

Although she loved creating commissioned artwork, the pressure of perfecting each piece became overwhelming. After stepping away for a short break, which stretched into a year, she took a leap in an entirely new direction—drawing frogs. That single decision rekindled her joy in art, and from then on, she found herself captivated by amphibians, fish, and other wildlife.

This fresh creative energy led her to rebrand her work. Wanting a name that captured both her love of drawing horses and her newfound passion for frogs, she landed on Hooves and Frogs—a name that beautifully bridged her artistic worlds.

As her art evolved, she explored new mediums—painting expressive nude portraits in acrylics and diving into model and diorama building, expanding her creative universe. But one discovery changed everything: sculpting.

Sculpting became Dee’s greatest love. After creating multiple air-dry clay sculptures, she knew she wanted to take her work further—firing them in a kiln to produce enduring, professional pieces. With her deep appreciation for wildlife, her sculptures reflect the beauty of nature, each one telling a story. As she works toward securing a kiln, sculpting remains her true passion, and she hopes to establish herself as a professional sculptor dedicated to both art and conservation.

Through her sculptures and paintings, Dee’s work makes meaningful gifts and keepsakes, allowing people to hold onto something special—whether it’s a tribute to a loved one, an animal they cherish, or a piece that simply speaks to them.

For inquiries about commissioned sculptures, memorial pieces, or portraits, Dee welcomes messages through Facebook, email, or WhatsApp, as listed on her Contact page. She’s always happy to help bring meaningful art to life.

 

Affiliated with: