Here are a few of the questions I
often get asked:
What are they made from?
All my sculptures, whether for indoors or outdoors, are
made of clay, including the ones which look like stone! All my garden sculptures
are made of stoneware fired ceramic, mostly crank clay but I use other clays
too. Many are glazed, although some are not, but sculptures intended for outside
are fired to stoneware temperatures thus making them very durable.
Are they frost proof/weather proof?
I fire my garden sculptures to 1240°C. This vitrifies the
clay making it totally non absorbent and therefore frost proof. When my water
feature is completed, the inside should be drained of water to prevent frost
damage in the coldest winter months. There should be no reason for any of my
sculptures to be brought inside unless you choose to. I also give them extra
protection by painting them with brick sealant to prevent any water
penetration at all.
How are wall hanging sculptures suspended?
All my wall hanging sculptures are hung with a very strong thread made of
polypropylene and aluminium, which will not rot or rust, and has great tensile
strength. Large wall hanging sculptures have the yarn twined several times, and
all the wall hanging sculptures have several very strong built in clay lugs,
which will not break off. The small square wall plaques have 3 or 4 lugs, (one
in each corner), and tread running through all of them so that you can chose
which way up to hang your sculpture, including diagonally!
How long will they last?
Stoneware fired ceramic will last for millennia so long as it's not hit with a
tree or a steel girder! Clay will out last nearly everything except very hard
stone, (such as granite, basalt or marble). This is because stoneware-fired clay, as the name suggests, has similar
properties to stone. It will easily outlast man-made materials such as
bronze resin or jesmonite, because it is not affected by U.V. light and will not
de-laminate.
How do I clean them?
A soft damp sponge is fine, there's no need for
harsh abrasives or power hosing. If there's a lot of texture, use a soft brush
and warm water.
Do the colours fade?
No. The beauty of fired ceramic is they are
permanent, natural, materials. They can stay in full sun and will not fade.
Will algae grow on the garden sculptures?
On the more gritty textured sculptures, algae, moss
and lichen may grow in time. To many people this is an enhancement, melding the
sculpture with the environment. However, if you dislike the effect, algae
retardants can be painted on to the sculpture and will not harm it in any way.
Do you make water features?
Yes! As soon as I have finished my Abundant Goddess
from Neolithic Turkey, I can resume work on my water feature. I hope to have it
finished in time for summer 2008. It presently stands at 3' high and is based on
the myth of Scylla and the whirlpool.
Can I choose the colour or texture for a sculpture?
Yes! If you have a particular preference for a colour or texture for a
sculpture, contact me and I can let you know if it is possible and/or advisable.
If it is, then I can custom make your sculpture to your choice of colour, glaze
and texture.
Do
you have a mark or makers seal to show these sculptures are made by you?
Yes. On the back or the underside of my sculptures
is my personal makers seal. On larger sculptures I build the seal into the
overall design.
How are sculptures delivered?
Sculptures ordered by UK customers are generally
delivered by Deadline, Amtrak or sometimes in person if the delivery address is
in the South of England, and I am passing that way to or from a show or
exhibition. Overseas deliveries are generally by Amtrak or Parcel Force. Sculptures are always
double boxed with plenty of cushioning.
