Alison Simpson

AddressBrankanentham Farmhouse
CityBanff
State/ProvinceScotland
Postal CodeAB45 2UD
CountryUK
Phone Number01542 841063
E-mail Addressalison.m.simpson@btinternet.com
Websitewww.alisonsimpson.net

First interest in hand papermaking process: 0

First piece of handmade paper: 2010

First handmade paper artwork: 2010

Beginning of active practice: 2010

Images

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Alison's Work in Hand Papermaking:

  1. Artist who uses papermaking for three-dimensional work
  2. Educator who teaches hand papermaking (any facet)

Alison's Introduction to Hand Papermaking:

  1. Books

Influences on Alison's Work in Hand Papermaking:

Publications initially important to Alison:

  1. The Art of Papermaking : Sophie Dawson
  2. Papermaking : Jules Heller
  3. Tear Fold Rip Crease Cut : Black Dog Publishing
  4. The Papermakers Companion : Helen Hiebert
  5. The Hand Papermaking Manual : Peter T. Sarjeant

Publications eventually important to Alison:

  1. Beater Finesse : Catherine Nash
  2. The Papermakers Companion : Helen Hiebert
  3. The Complete Book of Papermaking : Josep asuncion
  4. Papermaking for the Classroom : Gloria Zmolek Smith
  5. Paper and Threshold : Dorothy Field

Countries where Alison's studied:

  1. USA : Helen Hiebert
    1. hands-on workshop
    2. demonstration
    3. visit to mill or artist studio

Raw materials used by Alison in Hand Papermaking:

Chemicals used by Alison for cooking fibers in Hand Papermaking:

Used Routinely
Used Sometimes
Used Rarely

Tools and methods used by Alison for beating in Hand Papermaking:

Used Routinely
  1. Hollander beater
Used Rarely

Style of sheet forming used by Alison in Hand Papermaking:

Used Sometimes
  1. deckle box
Used Rarely

Years teaching hand papermaking: 2011-2013

Teaching formats used by Alison:

Used Routinely
Used Rarely

Alison's Income Contribution from Hand Papermaking:

  1. a little

Narrative:

Apart from a few short (one or two day) workshops I have taught myself from books, blogs, youtube, DVDs, talking to people. My work increasingly centres around highly coloured high shrinkage pulp made from raw retted and scutched flax fibre or linen noil, processed with a 'Critter'. I cast volumes over inflated objects or solid forms which I then extract by deflating or cutting. I trained as a sculptor working in metal for many years. Because I have been making paper objects for only three years I am really only beginning to find a voice in the medium. I work in rural scotland and as there are only a few papermakers here (and none live close to me) I am pretty much on my own. I do not see this particularly asa problem, but is would be nice to have someone to help me solve technical problems now and again, especially with the Hollander beater. I attended the FDH Conference in Cleveland which reassured my about my general level of competence with some techniques and allowed me to meet many of the authors of the books I've read! Increasingly I scour the internet for work which interests and encourages me, but a recent exhibition of the work of Jacki Parry (based in Glasgow) has really inspired me.

Questions:

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