A new balloon dog sculpture has been revealed ahead of a major art trail coming to Swindon this summer.

The Big Dog Art Trail team is head over heels after world-renowned artist Kitty Shepherd joined the project.

Kitty Shepherd is an internationally recognised British studio potter and ceramic artist who has brought her talents to illustrate the giant fibreglass Swindog sculpture.

With links to Wiltshire, her work has been represented by Messums Wiltshire, a multi-purpose gallery and arts centre in Tisbury.

A lot of Kitty’s ceramic work is based on music, popular culture and nostalgia, and she has transferred that to her Swindog called Puppy Love, a nod to Donny Osmond.

The sculpture is covered in hearts on a vivid orange backdrop.

It caught the eye of passers-by in Worthing, when it was being created as Kitty hosted an open studio at Colonnade House.

She said: “Creating a design and working on a huge dog for the art trail has been a very exciting adventure.

"I am a ceramic artist and this was a new experience for me to work with acrylic paints on fiberglass.

“I chose this very visible art gallery space in Worthing to work in knowing that it would attract a lot of attention.

“I didn't have much time to look up and see what was happening outside, so the evening round of social media viewing for me was a lovely treat to see who came by.

"The children in particular had parents returning daily to see 'The Big Dog'.

“It has been a fantastic new experience for me to support a charity in this way.”

Kitty’s sculpture is one of 30 Swindogs that will feature around Swindon on the trail, which will run from July 15 to September 3.

Project manager Chris Hyde said: “We want to give a heartfelt thank you to Kitty for being a part of The Big Dog Art Trail.

“Her ceramic work is famous around the world and to be able to add her to the artist line-up is a big thing for the trail.

“Her design is stunning and has already proved popular when we have taken it out around Swindon for our promotional photo shoots.”

After the trail is completed, Puppy Love will be up for auction with the other Swindogs. All money raised will go to the Julia’s House children’s hospice.

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