My paper castings are made from cotton linter, watercolor, and acrylic. To create my artwork I must first sculpt my piece out of clay. The resulting sculpture is fired in a kiln. The sculpture is now in a bisque state. Then, clay is pressed around the fired sculpture to take its’ impression. The impression is also fired to bisque temperature. The fired impression is then ready to be used for a mold. I chose cotton linter to cast my pieces because it is so light, durable and acid free. The cotton also picks up the details in the mold.
To make my cotton linter (paper) casting I re-hydrate the linter with water, which makes a paper pulp. I gather the pulp and press it by hand into the mold. After it dries I paint it with watercolor then seal it with clear acrylic, so they can withstand humidity, resist fading, and become much more durable. The resulting piece is bright and whimsical and makes people smile. They are, also, light weight easy to hang. My inspiration comes from the sea and all its’ creatures, the land around me with all its’ flora and fauna. I first made them in 1992 creating this process.
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