For some driftwood, rusty nails, scraps of metal are simply trash but for the artist, Kirsty Elson they represent the start of a goat, whale or even a dachshund sculpture…

Based in Cornwall, Elson finds inspiration from her surroundings and her medium of choice are recycled treasures she collects from the local shoreline. Trained as an illustrator at the Cambridge School of Art, but she decided she saw more potential for a career in the pieces of gnarly pieces of driftwood she found on the Cornish coast.

Previously focused on creating small cottages and seaside scenes, Elson has shifted her attention to charming animal subjects which are made with humour, skill and detail. Quirky, humorous and endearing, the sculptures take the form of whatever she finds to become all manner of truly, enchanting animals and for that, @kirstyelson is a must follow in our book.