When I was in the process of writing my book Breast Cancer "Cause - Prevention - Cure",, I needed two other things. Software to produce the cover and a cover picture. As far as the software was concerned, I was very fortunate to find the ideal solution Book Cover Pro. It was brilliant and produced printer ready cover PDF's and it not only calculated the size of spine depending upon the number of pages of the book, but also the ISBN number in 10 digid and the newer 13 digit number. For anyone who are in the process of publishing a book I highly recommend this software and I even wrote to the software publishers and told them so.

     Well that sorted out the production of the cover, but then there was the cover itself. What should I put on it? I needed something that stood out. It was when my wife and I was on vacation in Guernsey in 2006 that I chanced upon the very thing. It was perfect and an inspiration! We were were visiting the Sculpture Park at Sausmarez Manor, St. Martin, Guernsey and we came across a bronze resin sculpture by Jonathan Wylder, who has a studio in London.

"The Awakening" by Jonathan Wylder as displayed in the Sculpture Park, Sausmarez Manor, St. Martin, Guernsey, Channel Islands in 2006 (Photo: Fred Harding)

     The sculpture in question was called "The Awakening", a masterpiece and priced at £12765. Instantly, I knew that the sculpture was exactly what I was looking for, and I took numerous photos. Because the sculpture was on public display,and the cover I was to develop was based upon the photos that I had taken (which were my copyright), I did not breach any copyright issues. As for the artist himself, later I was to find out more about this most talented sculpture and was amazed by his versatility and his creative works.

     Jonathan Wylder was born in Salisbury, Wiltshire in 1957. He held his first one man show of paintings at Salisbury City Library in 1973 where Sir Cecil Beaton was his first patron. Like many sculptors, Jonathan pursued diverse interests before sculpting full time. He is self-taught, learning his craft by studying at the art museums of the world.

     Wylder has worked with dancers from a variety of companies, including Fiona Chadwick, former principal dancer with the Royal Ballet. He has also worked with Sharron Davies OBE, the British Olympic swimmer. As well as sculpting dancers and the human form, Jonathan has sculpted several equestrian pieces. He is a keen rider himself, and has sculpted a life size statue of Milton, the international show jumper, as ridden by John Whittaker.

     He has completed several major works this year that include a five metre high statue of Sir Robert Grosvenor, first Marquess of Westminster, which was commissioned by the Duke of Westminster. Recently unveiled in Hungary was a portrait of the founder of the Budapest University, and soon to be unveiled is a life size bronze of the 'Scotsman' in Edinburgh.

Jonathan Wylder working with model Alla Martinkovich.

     His forthcoming projects include the life size statues of camels to go to Dubai, the life size elephant that is destined for India and the largest commission for a corporation in South Africa.

     The exclusive UK outlet for Jonathan's work is his own gallery that can be found at 2 Motcomb St, Belgravia, London, where his sculptures and paintings can be seen on permanent exhibition. He still works in his studio in London, but spends the majority of his time sculpting in the two studios he has in the country. In Switzerland, Adler the jewellers exhibit his work in Geneva and Gstaad. Internationally, future exhibitions are planned in Monaco, Geneva and New York.

     The sculptures are recreated from the original clay statue by the traditional lost wax process. They are presented in pure bronze and are all limited edition.

Examples of Jonathan Wylder's work. (Natalie and Clair)