Not many artists can claim that a giant pig helped launch their career – but for Lois Cordelia it was the Ipswich-themed Pig-geswyck that made her name.

East Anglian Daily Times: 'BeeYOUtiful' for 'Bee in the City', Manchester 2018. Picture: Lois Cordelia'BeeYOUtiful' for 'Bee in the City', Manchester 2018. Picture: Lois Cordelia (Image: Picture: Lois Cordelia)

Lois now travels the country painting 3D animal sculptures for public art trails like Pigs Gone Wild and the forthcoming Elmer’s Big Parade.

“I think I have painted 12, and they take me all over the country,” she said.

East Anglian Daily Times: 'BeeYOUtiful' for 'Bee in the City', Manchester 2018. Picture: Lois Cordelia'BeeYOUtiful' for 'Bee in the City', Manchester 2018. Picture: Lois Cordelia (Image: Picture: Lois Cordelia)

As well as painting the golden pig for the popular 2016 trail in Ipswich, Lois is the artist behind one of the ‘faces’ of the Elmer trail which St Elizabeth Hospice are bringing to Ipswich in 2019.

Her fairytale design, Imagination Can Take You Anywhere, features silhouettes against an ombre backdrop.

East Anglian Daily Times: 'BeeYOUtiful' for 'Bee in the City', Manchester 2018. Picture: Lois Cordelia'BeeYOUtiful' for 'Bee in the City', Manchester 2018. Picture: Lois Cordelia (Image: Picture: Lois Cordelia)

She is now supporting the hospice as they call for artists to submit designs for the rest of the herd – and she said anyone with a background in art should consider giving it a go.

“Obviously there are considerations, there is the physical challenge of painting in 3D,” she added.

East Anglian Daily Times: 'BeeYOUtiful' for 'Bee in the City', Manchester 2018. Picture: Lois Cordelia'BeeYOUtiful' for 'Bee in the City', Manchester 2018. Picture: Lois Cordelia (Image: Picture: Lois Cordelia)

Lois was making a living as a public artist and focused on paper cutting when she submitted a design for the Pigs Gone Wild trail back in 2016. Little did she know that it would be the making of her career.

“It was the first public art trail I had done and it really grabbed me,” said Lois, 35. And it was not only Lois it grabbed, the whole community were enthralled by the pigs.

East Anglian Daily Times: 'BeeYOUtiful' for 'Bee in the City', Manchester 2018. Picture: Lois Cordelia'BeeYOUtiful' for 'Bee in the City', Manchester 2018. Picture: Lois Cordelia (Image: Picture: Lois Cordelia)

“When I saw the response from people it was overwhelming, there were children walking around with smiles on their faces because of the artwork.

“That magic has never really left me,” said Lois, who lives and works in the Chantry area. “It has boosted my career in so many ways.”

East Anglian Daily Times: 'BeeYOUtiful' for 'Bee in the City', Manchester 2018. Picture: Lois Cordelia'BeeYOUtiful' for 'Bee in the City', Manchester 2018. Picture: Lois Cordelia (Image: Picture: Lois Cordelia)

With a whole menagerie of sculpture under her belt, Lois struggles to choose a favourite.

“Often it is whatever one I was last working on,” she said. “Choosing a favourite is like choosing between your children. But if I was pushed I would have to say my pig, it is what started it all off so in many ways that is still my favourite.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPOo3SZGBuE

Lois professes to being largely self-taught in that she has never been to art college.

She added: “I did A-level art at Northgate High School and Mr Emery was my teacher. He got me started with acrylics, I owe him a lot.”

East Anglian Daily Times: 'BeeYOUtiful' for 'Bee in the City', Manchester 2018. Picture: Lois Cordelia'BeeYOUtiful' for 'Bee in the City', Manchester 2018. Picture: Lois Cordelia (Image: Picture: Lois Cordelia)

To find out more, visit the St Elizabeth Hospice website here

East Anglian Daily Times: 'BeeYOUtiful' for 'Bee in the City', Manchester 2018. Picture: Lois Cordelia'BeeYOUtiful' for 'Bee in the City', Manchester 2018. Picture: Lois Cordelia (Image: Picture: Lois Cordelia)

East Anglian Daily Times: 'BeeYOUtiful' for 'Bee in the City', Manchester 2018. Picture: Lois Cordelia'BeeYOUtiful' for 'Bee in the City', Manchester 2018. Picture: Lois Cordelia (Image: Picture: Lois Cordelia)