HE has created steel sculptures that have international acclaim.

But for sculptor Jason Paterson this is his most important and emotional work yet.

The artist has been commissioned to create a piece that will inspire and impress school pupils.

In response he has designed and made Live and Learn, a beautiful butterfly emerging from its chrysalis.

Not only does Jason hope his artwork will make youngster think about what they can achieve with their lives, it also stands as a memorial to his sister Lynette who took her own life last year.

Jason said: "The statue is designed to mimic new life, it is a butterfly coming out of a chrysalis.

"It is dedicated to my sister who took her life in October last year by hanging.

"When I designed my sculpture it was just after her funeral so a lot was working on my mind and it was a very difficult time."

Lynette, a photographer who worked across Scotland, was 35 when she died and would have been 36 on June 20.

Jason was working on his latest sculpture in the days and weeks after her funeral and said Lynette was always on his mind.

He said: "It was a lot to process, thoughts about not being there for my sister.

"The circumstances of her death made it even worse.

"I'm just trying to deal with it. When trying to deal with things like that you just have to get on with it.

"This is one of the best sculptures I have done and it's because it was inspired by her."

Jason added: "A lot of emotion has been put into it and a lot of passion and time.

"I have done a lot of sculptures but this one is quite spectacular."

Live and Learn was commissioned by West Lothian Council and Jason had help from local school pupils.

As well as taking inspiration from the youngsters' creativity, Jason, whose workshop is JP Fabrications and Design, wanted to inspire them in turn.

He asked pupils to draw pictures relating to sport, education and music as well as their hobbies and interests.

Youngsters drew everything from paint brushes to coffee cups and music notes.

Jason chose the six best designs and they were intricately woven into the wings of the butterfly.

The three-and-a-half metre tall statue will be illuminated from the inside so that at night it will show off the images on the wings.

And around the plinth will be the names of the children who were involved.

Jason added: "I want to give kids inspiration.

"I hope that when people see this or I hope the kids who did the drawings will get a sense of inspiration from it.

"I also hope that when they grow up to be adults they'll be able to take their kids and grandkids along to it and that's a brilliant for them."

Jason was also the creative talent behind the Big G, the famous Glasgow 2014 sculpture that became a symbol of the Games - and the background for countless selfies.

The Evening Times had asked our readers to choose a final location for the galvanised structure after it was moved from its Games home in George Square.

After a hot debate, Glasgow Green was chosen - and the Big G is sitting proudly on display for tourists and park users.

Jason also created the Shotts Giant, a £30,000 and eight feet tall landmark that was part of the regeneration of Dykehead Cross.

He also designed and made a giant steel palm tree for display in the United Arab Emirates.

But despite his many sculptures, Live and Learn will remain closest to his heart and have the most poignant message.

He added: "The school is in a regeneration area and I want the kids to know that there's more to life than being stuck in a society with drugs and the rubbish that goes on in deprived areas.

"This sculpture and the wider project is about regeneration and bringing new life to the area.

"I'm hoping the kids will go up and look at it and go, 'Wow'.

"I hope it will inspire other kids to do something like that.

"It's all about getting kids to understand there are things out there they can do rather than being stuck in a dead end job.

"This sculpture, she's coming out of the cocoon with her wings spread and saying, 'Here I am.'"