SCULPTOR Richard Colson has impressed millions with his art, despite avoiding typical gallery exhibits.

The Tweed Heads artist and modeller has created and designed oddities such as the Flight Centre pilot, Pancakes in Paradise's pancake stack and the possum perched up high at Currumbin's Treasure Island Playground.

He's even crafted Bundaberg Rum's iconic Bundy Bear.

And now Mr Colson's nearing his 40th epoxy, polystyrene and steel 10m crocodile, complete with minute details, such as a rotten tooth and lifelike scales. He makes them for various restaurants and shopping centres across Australia.

Mr Colson has plied his painting and sculpture skills at Dreamworld and the Gold Coast Arts Centre, among other pursuits.

But he is now freelancing to eke out a pleasurable existence. "A little girl came up to me and goes 'wow, this would make a great croc couch' and I'd honestly never thought of that," Mr Colson laughed.

"I love kids and people coming up and seeing the looks and the thrill on their faces."

Mr Colson has worked in various careers, such as an offshore fisherman, but often it leads him right back where he started.

"I used to keep the fish because I could model my work after them," Mr Colson said.

"That job didn't last long, needless to say."