Dianne Preston

This comic bird of the fantastic order "fandango" is an obvious dancing queen. She (indubitably a "she") is made of recycled objects, including beautiful clam shells.

Unique creature born on Johnsons Island in West London

I see herons every day from my narrow boat home, waiting for the tide to go out and reveal trapped and helpless small fish and crabs in little pool traps. The Great Grey Heron - fantastic bird and somewhat maligned in suburban gardens!

I am astonished by the comical look of the coot's enormous feet. In rendering a black and white bird in silver and copper wire only, I have left a lot for the viewer's eye to accommodate. I can "see" the white plate that covers the beak and lower face with no effort. Suitable for indoors or outdoors.

Re Blair-eyed Cormorant: I made the cormorant to be a focal point for the publishing party to launch Michelle Lovric's “The Mourning Emporium”. I like to use recycled materials in my papier mâché sculpture, and kind friends supply me with many varieties of wire and paper. The cormorant “George Blair” has a wire armature and a mixed body of pulped paper with layers of various papers and some fabric. He’s painted in acrylic. Tony Blair has kindly (though unwittingly) donated his eyes. I will leave it to the viewer to decide whether this contributes to George’s malevolent air!

The raven is part of a series of bird portraits using torso only, getting to the essence of each bird's unique personality. This raven is friend to man, and has the look of a guardian angel. He doesn't exude the usual corvid haughtiness. He is on a small wooden plinth from Moss & Co, timber merchants.

Magpies looking clever, curious and inquisitive.

Our closest living relatives captured in zoos.

I love this dog! He is inspired by a neighbour's pet who lives by the Grand Union Canal. He is friendly, brilliant with babies and small children and very low maintenance!

Bruno is a life-size pet needing minimal maintenance. He is inspired by the bloodhound Bruno in the French animation Belleville Rendezvous. He is very proud of his teeth and has a sense of humour and endless patience. The occasional dust with a paint brush is all the grooming he requires.

Unique creature born on Johnsons Island in West London

Spike will protect you against all harm with his specially sensitive wire plumes.

A tribute to the planet, its contours, the forms recurring - in humans, birds, skulls. A celebration of the makers of ceramics and a tribute to Gaudi

This "rabbit-bird" is made of random objects found in my studio. He seemed to suggest his own form, but he does seem to be male.

Spike will protect you against all harm with his specially sensitive wire plumes.

Dear little hunch - a nice herony feeling about him. Can fit in quite a small display space.

Hoopoe for a London house rooftop. Firmly attached to steel moorings to prevent escape flight.

Heron made with copper and galvanized and ungalvanized steel wire. Made with respect for the heron who hunts outside my houseboat.

Curious coot finds his way around his island home in West London. Can be visited by making an appointment with the artist Dianne Preston.

This tiny brown bird with its pert tail tipped upright is a favourite bird of garden lovers in the UK. Common but hard to spot with its camouflaged dress and habit of fast whirring flight; it has a song that is loud, explosive and beautiful. Surprisingly so for such a little bird.

The largest member of the family Paridae, a big, colourful, bold and aggressive tit.

Unique creature born on Johnsons Island in West London

Inspired by photographic zoo portrait.

The chimpanzees have been rescued from harrowing circumstances and are now in sanctuaries. I believe human beings should treat other animals with compassion. This is based on a James Mollison book of photographic portraits.

Wilomena is a lifelike and life-sized portrait of a female British Bulldog. Wire armature and mixed media covering with acrylic paint.

This "rabbit-bird" is made of random objects found in my studio. He seemed to suggest his own form, but he does seem to be male.

This piece lived for a while with it's granite-looking paper-pulp exterior. Then I discovered mosaics and loved giving it this new incarnation - which took a long time!