Dee’s Art, Experiences & Values

Art has been woven into Dee’s life for as long as she can remember. As a child, she spent hours drawing cartoon characters and comic scenes, never imagining that one day, art would become her sanctuary. But in 2019, a profound shift in her life led her to challenge herself artistically and embrace a new path.

Dee was diagnosed with cancer and an inoperable tumour—a battle that demanded unwavering strength for many months. While she ultimately beat the disease, the treatments left lasting effects, including significant internal damage and spinal injuries that resulted in disabilities. The future she once envisioned had changed drastically, leaving her unsure of what lay ahead.

Amidst this uncertainty, Dee found her way back to art. In 2019, she unearthed her old pencils, picked up reference pictures of horses, and began drawing once more. At first, she experimented with different styles, searching for the medium that truly spoke to her. She explored graphite before transitioning to soft pastels and pastel pencils—discovering that these tools allowed her to express emotion and detail in ways she never had before.

By the end of the year, she had mastered drawing horses and frogs with a depth and precision beyond anything she had done previously. With this growth came the realization that her art needed a fresh identity, leading her to rebrand her work from DeeDackelsArt to Hooves & Frogs, a name that reflected both her love for equine beauty and amphibian charm.

Over time, Dee’s artistic interests expanded to acrylic paintings, particularly in nude portraits that captured movement and form with grace. While these pieces became part of her personal collection, her greatest passion was yet to be discovered—sculpting.

Sculpting became the heart of her creativity, allowing her to shape wildlife in ways that felt more tangible and expressive. After working with air-dry clay, she transitioned to kiln-fired clay, determined to refine her craft and establish herself professionally. Her dream is to acquire her own kiln, ensuring each sculpture is fired to perfection and ready to share with the world.

A Lifelong Love for Animals & Conservation

Dee’s passion for wildlife stretches far beyond her art—it has been an integral part of her life from childhood. Growing up, she rescued rabbits, mice, and hamsters while caring for her family dog and a beloved loan pony named Dougal.

Her love for animals continued into adulthood, leading her to work as head groom for a professional show jumper before transitioning into an office career to secure the financial stability needed to have horses of her own. Though circumstances eventually prevented her from owning horses, she found fulfilment in animal rescue, dedicating years to finding homes for countless dogs—from Labradors and Basset Hounds to Huskies and Shar Pei's.

Dee and her fiancé share an immense passion for reptile care, rescuing hundreds of snakes, bearded dragons, tortoises, tarantulas, and even a formidable water monitor. Their love for reptiles extended to their daughter, who now runs an educational TikTok channel offering husbandry advice to fellow reptile enthusiasts.

Their home is filled with love—not only for the animals they’ve rescued but also for their cherished miniature dachshunds, Moomin, Raffles, and Purdey, each bringing joy and companionship. Though they mourned the loss of their beloved husky, Bonnie, their commitment to giving rescues a loving home remains stronger than ever.

Looking Toward the Future

Through every challenge, Dee has transformed struggle into creativity, and uncertainty into passion. Her art continues to evolve, embracing sculpting as her true calling while maintaining her connection to painting and drawing. With each sculpture, she aims to inspire, raise awareness, and celebrate wildlife in a way that speaks to the soul.

For inquiries about commissioned sculptures, memorial pieces, or portraits, Dee welcomes messages via Facebook, email, or WhatsApp—always happy to connect through her art and love for animals.

Dee's Future Hopes

Dreams for the Future

Dee’s dream is to create sculptures that resonate deeply with people—art that finds a home in spaces across the United Kingdom and beyond, sparking connection and conversation. But her vision extends beyond simply creating beautiful pieces; she wants her work to make a difference for the animals she sculpts.

Since beginning her sculpting journey on February 1, 2024, Dee has embraced wildlife as the soul of her creations. She is dedicating herself to a monumental project: 200 sculptures of endangered and vulnerable animals, each crafted to raise awareness for the species it represents.

With every sculpture, Dee will provide details about the animal’s fight for survival, sharing its story so that conservationists, wildlife rescues, zoos, and breeding organizations may one day recognize her work and collaborate with her to further their efforts. Her hope is that these pieces will help bring awareness, inspire action, and create lasting connections to the natural world.

While she focuses on these 200 endangered animal sculptures, Dee will also continue creating other wildlife pieces—dogs, cats, birds, and more—dreaming of the day when her work is displayed in galleries and local countryside shops, reaching people of all backgrounds and cultures.

Working Alongside Conservation & Equestrian Organizations

Beyond exhibitions, Dee hopes to partner with charities and wildlife organizations, creating sculptures that align with their missions. She would be honoured to sculpt for conservation efforts, animal rescue centres, zoos, and sanctuaries, offering pieces that support and highlight their work.

Her passion for equestrian artistry also fuels her ambition to craft sculptures for renowned institutions such as Badminton Horse Trials, race tracks, breeding stables, show jumping, and dressage professionals, celebrating the beauty and spirit of the animals that inspire her most.

A Future Studio Among Nature’s Beauty

Dee envisions a future where she sculpts from her own studio, looking out into the countryside—a space in Scotland, Northumberland, or the Dales, where inspiration flows from the landscape itself. This dream fuels her every creation, motivating her to take each step forward.

Until that day arrives, she continues sculpting, piece by piece, bringing her vision to life through dedication and passion.

How You Can Help

If you believe in Dee’s mission and want to support her 200 Endangered Sculptures Project, spreading the word about her work and her page can make a huge difference.

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