He’s long been using driftwood collected from the seas, beaches and rivers near his Cebu City home to create his breathtaking wildlife art, and Doran-Webb’s work is a continuation of a childhood fascination with crafting wooden models and miniature sculptures.
Much time in his formative years was spent in the workshops of his parent’s antiques restoration firm, giving him a thorough informal education in the arts of craftsmanship.
That accumulated knowledge of flair and polish is on display in his three thoroughbreds, all equine power and elegance and his biggest public art project to date.
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“The metal skeleton is crucial. If you stripped away the wood, what you would see would look sort of like the skeleton of the actual animal. It provides all the strength, but cladding it takes a long time.”
It may take a long time, but Doran-Webb says he’s never fully satisfied with the results, and only the world of deadlines prevents him from perpetual tinkering.
“If it wasn’t for them, I’d never leave the studio,” he admitted. “If something is even an inch out, you have to redo it. There’s never been one I’ve been happy with first time.”
