Gypsum Plaster, the Natural Wonder

My artwork is inspired by nature and the textures found there, as a way of bringing that sense of peace and tranquility found in the natural world into our homes. We spend more time than ever inside buildings, so having a connection to nature can be calming and restorative. For this reason it's important to me that the materials I work with are as natural as possible in order to compliment this ethos. One of the main components of the plaster mixes I use to create my pieces is made with gypsum. Gypsum is a hugely adaptable mineral, that has been used in many things over the years from toothpastes and shampoos, to roads and classroom chalk. It was used by the Ancient Egyptians and Romans alike, and we’re still using it now as it forms the core material of plasters we know today.

Gypsum is mined as an ore from surface mines, and if it’s going to be used for plaster then it is crushed to a fine powder and heated to 300F remove all moisture. This means that later adding water back to the powder will create a malleable paste that you can mould into shape until it dries and sets. Other additives can be added to the powder to alter the plaster’s properties, for example making it waterproof and more concrete like for outdoor use. However I try to maintain as natural a mix as possible whilst balancing strength and flexibility to allow me to create the forms I envision without worrying about cracks forming in the plaster.

Gypsum plaster is a soft plaster compared to concrete based alternatives, however its water malleability makes it much easier to shape and mould, and it is entirely non-toxic, releasing no VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). This means it won’t leech chemicals into your environment once you get your artwork home, making paintings made with gypsum plaster more natural and healthier to have.