Current Work

Inspired by studies and sketches of her own chickens, Alison’s
work captures the movement, characteristics and essence of her subject using
heavily grogged stoneware paper clay; a compound of slip (liquid clay) and paper
pulp, to which grog (ground, fired clay) is added for strength and texture. 
  
Paper clay can be manipulated in soft, flexible slabs, rather
like fabric and enables thin, delicate but strong work to be produced. Alison
uses a 30:70 ratio of paper pulp to clay; the paper part burning away during the
firing process, making it lighter than traditional clay. During the making
process it is able to be joined wet to dry, unlike traditional clay and has good
green ware (unfired clay) strength due to the cellulose fibres in the paper. 
 
The sculptures are individually created using soft, flexible
slabs of paper clay, built over an armature to form the body, to which highly
textured pieces are applied. A white porcelain slip is lightly brushed over the
surface; leaving some of the clay body visible and red underglaze colour added
as highlights, before the first, biscuit, firing. An oxide wash is then applied
to enhance the surface textures, giving added depth; before the final firing, in
an electric kiln, to 1260˚C.