WELCOME
The purpose of this site is to share my pottery creations with family and friends – and with others who similarly find inspiration and amusement in the animal world. And yes, if you like what you see, I do commissions and regularly sell off work when I run out of space!
Zandra McGillivray
About Zandra
I started working with clay at school, and I’ve continued learning throughout my travels. My studio is now based in a 10th-century château in a small village in the Jura Mountains*, where I’m inspired by the birds and animals that surround me…as well as those further afield. Nature is full of humour. Exaggerated shapes and personalities make me smile.
*Come and stay in our guest rooms at www.chateaudesothonod.com and discover the sources of my inspiration.
J’ai eu le plaisir d’être invitée par l’Office de Tourisme Bugey Sud Grand Colombier à participer aux visites-découvertes « Les Pieds dans le Local » — avec portes ouvertes de mon atelier et démonstration de modelage. C’est la première fois que je fais ça : vraiment sympa malgré une légère angoisse au départ ! En effet : réaliser une sculpture en 90 minutes et devant une dizaine de personnes… pas évident😅Mais bon, on a bien rigolé.
#zandrascreations #officedetourismebugeysud #officetourismebugey #bugey #bugeysudtourisme #sculptures #modelage #clayanimals #artisanatdart #lespiedsdanslelocal
A menagerie of small creatures is gathering, soon to be fired, glazed and fired again.
#zandrascreations #claycreatures #smallsculptures #ceramicanimalsculpture #ceramicsculptureart #ceramic #ceramicart #quirkyanimals #quirkyart #claydog #claycat #clayhorse #penguins #claycreatures
See these and other creatures at l’Espace Aguascalientes, Champagne en Valromey, until 29 October. Don’t miss the show!
Venez voir la Vie Sauvage à l’espace Aguascalientes, Champagne en Valromey, jusqu’au 29 octobre. Ne ratez pas l’expo !
#zandrascreations #garybaylissart #aguascalientes_espasso #clayart #clayartist #sculptures #whimsicalcreatures #ceramique #lynx #panda #cheval #levrierirlandais #irishwolfhound #unicorn #bear #ours #moose #runningduck #elan #valromey
I’m really excited about my next show, in the company of talented artist Gary Bayliss, at Espace Aguascalientes in Champagne-en-Valromey (Ain), from 13 to 29 October.
Opening night Friday 13 October (auspicious date 🤩) from 17h.
Bring your friends!
#zandrascreations #garybaylissart #clayart #claysculptures #ceramicart #ceramiques #whimsicalanimals #peintures #terrecuite #sculptures champagneenvalromey #animauxterrecuite #aguascalientes_espasso #bugey #wildlife #laviesauvage
Cocky McGuire. Enjoys annoying Parisians. Proud of his collection of jukeboxes. Is working on a new dance routine. 30cm high, 12cm puffed-out chest.
#zandrascreations #clay #clayart #clayartist #whimsicalcreatures #cockerel #claysculpture #cockadoodledoo #ceramicanimal #coq #cocorico #terrecuite
The reveal! Always exciting. I fiiiiiiinally got my kiln going. Actually the problem wasn’t the kiln, it was my spray gun. Which still isn’t working properly. Ho hum.
#zandrascreations #pottery #clay #animalsculptures #whimsicalanimalart #kilnart #art #freshoutofthekiln #glazed
Fame and fortune (??) await! I have a little show going on at the local vineyard, until 17 Feb. Nice low-key way of getting back into the swing of things.
#zandrascreations #pottery #claysculpture #whimsicalart #bestiaire #sculpturesofinstagram #clayanimals #caveaubugiste #voixdelain #claycreatures #mycreations
Blog
The Tour de France strikes
Great excitement in our tiny hamlet last Wednesday when the Tour de France came through. Preparations started early: the road surface was redone, verges were cut, campervans parked, tricolors unfurled and tensions mounted as contradictory road-closure notices were posted at each end of our col. (The mairie was unable to clarify…)
Flashing gendarmes
The big day dawned brochure-blue and after a leisurely lunch we sauntered down to watch the Caravane pass by. For about an hour, extraordinarily elaborate floats careered through the village at high-speed, chucking freebies at us. Followed by hundreds and hundreds of cars with police, press, cameras, paramedics, supporters, organisers and hangers-on. Then a lull…then five helicopters roared overhead, followed by gendarmes on their motos, whistling and flashing lights. We all held our breath…and suddenly the cyclists, head of the peloton, flashed past, followed by hundreds and hundreds of cars with spares on their roofs. It was over in a nanosecond!
I have zero interest in cycling, but I gather it’s the second biggest sporting event after the Olympics, so quite impressive. Tried not to think about the carbon footprint.
“The artist at work”
I commissioned daughter Lauren to take some photos of me for this website… and the result is brilliant, if I say so myself. She is so damned talented that girl: she’ll go far! If anyone needs a photographic portrait done, for a website, blog, birthday invitation, or just to hang on the wall, she’s your man. 
P-p-p-penguin
Mr Penguin
Not creating a whole hellova lot at the moment… My grand-daughters are on a prolonged visit and discovering the world anew through their eyes is constantly fascinating and hugely time-wasting! I did, however, manage to finish a penguin before their arrival, although the cold, damp weather means the clay is taking an age to dry and I haven’t been able to do a firing.
The scale of things
Since launching my site properly last week, I’ve received so many lovely emails, full of kind words and encouragement…you know who you are.
One point Peter made: you can’t tell the scale of my sheep…
An idea of scale
Yep, I know, I should add measurements to all the photos…but I haven’t yet got round to it. Not enough hours etc. But meanwhile, here’s a clue.
WANT MORE BLOG POSTS ?
Check out my www.winewidowandsong.org
Want More Pottery?
Check out the site of my friend Michèle Riedo