What is alabaster?
The alabaster used in Kimberly Cowan's sculptures is a form of gypsum, which is a hydrous sulfate of calcium. This gypsum alabaster is sourced from Colorado Alabaster Supply, a local supplier based in Fort Collins, Colorado. The quarry owner extracts the alabaster from his plot in the foothills, stocking his artist supply shop with gypsum alabaster which may contain veins rich in various metal ions which lend intricate color patterns to the stone.
Gypsum alabaster is a unique stone that allows for beautiful coloration, banding, inclusions and translucency not found in other carvable stones. Its softness allows for a drastically reduced work time and also allows pieces to be worked entirely by hand, and can be likened to carving wood at times. All these attributes allow for a beautiful, one-of-kind, hand-carved sculpture to be created in a short enough time to be offered at a far lower price point than that of harder stones such as marble or granite. However, the downside of the stone is that this same workable softness requires a little more care to be taken as a sculpture owner. Please follow these care instructions to ensure that your new sculpture will be enjoyed for generations to come.
Gypsum alabaster is a unique stone that allows for beautiful coloration, banding, inclusions and translucency not found in other carvable stones. Its softness allows for a drastically reduced work time and also allows pieces to be worked entirely by hand, and can be likened to carving wood at times. All these attributes allow for a beautiful, one-of-kind, hand-carved sculpture to be created in a short enough time to be offered at a far lower price point than that of harder stones such as marble or granite. However, the downside of the stone is that this same workable softness requires a little more care to be taken as a sculpture owner. Please follow these care instructions to ensure that your new sculpture will be enjoyed for generations to come.
Cleaning
To clean the sculpture, use a feather duster to remove dust, or a dry microfiber cloth to gently wipe away dirt and oils. Never use dish soap or chemical cleansers, as these will remove the sculpture's protective wax coating and will erode or discolor the stone.
Handling
The sculpture is protected with a treatment of poppy oil, followed by a wax layer on the smooth polished portions, which keeps dirt and stains from penetrating the stone. Please feel free to enjoy the tactile qualities of the sculpture, as the wax layer will protect it from skin oils and dirt. Keep in mind, however, that the rough portions of the sculpture cannot be waxed, and without this second layer of protection, it may stain or become dirty if handled frequently.
Handle the sculpture gently, and avoid contact with metal or hard plastic objects. Long fingernails may lightly scratch the surface if nicked or raked with strong pressure.
Handle the sculpture gently, and avoid contact with metal or hard plastic objects. Long fingernails may lightly scratch the surface if nicked or raked with strong pressure.
Environment
Place the sculpture on a sturdy shelf or table indoors to avoid breakage from falls. Avoid water exposure and never display for long periods out of doors, as harsh temperatures and moisture will erode gypsum alabaster over time.
Maintenance
Each alabaster sculpture is polished and treated with a protective drying oil to bring out the translucency and coloration of the stone. Over time, the oil may absorb deeper into the stone causing some areas to appear chalky. To refresh your sculpture, dab a very small amount of refined poppy oil or sunflower oil onto a paper towel or cotton swab and apply to the affected area. Allow the oil to sit on the stone for about 3 minutes, then wipe all excess oil off with a clean paper towel. The oil will dry fully into a protective layer in about a week. Note: Boiled linseed oil, available at most hardware stores, may be used in lieu of poppy or sunflower oil, but is not recommended for white or very light colored stone, as it will stain the stone a yellowish tint.
The highly polished areas of the sculpture have been further protected with a layer of carnauba wax after the oiling process. To refresh the protective coating, you may apply a small amount of pure carnauba wax (found at automotive stores) to the polished sections of the sculpture. Rub the wax over the area and allow it to dry to a matte finish. Then, take a microfiber cloth and gently buff the wax until a glossy finish is achieved. Do not apply wax to rough, unpolished portions of the sculpture, as the wax will dry chalky white and cannot be buffed from rough surfaces.
The highly polished areas of the sculpture have been further protected with a layer of carnauba wax after the oiling process. To refresh the protective coating, you may apply a small amount of pure carnauba wax (found at automotive stores) to the polished sections of the sculpture. Rub the wax over the area and allow it to dry to a matte finish. Then, take a microfiber cloth and gently buff the wax until a glossy finish is achieved. Do not apply wax to rough, unpolished portions of the sculpture, as the wax will dry chalky white and cannot be buffed from rough surfaces.
Repair
While gypsum alabaster may not be the toughest or sturdiest sculpture stone, one advantage (aside from its inherent beauty) is that it is easily worked - and therefore, easily reworked. Most scratches, chips and even some seemingly major damage can be fixed by sending the piece back to the artist for repair or rework. For some extensive damage, the design may need to change per the artist's expertise.
If your sculpture sustains scratches, chips or other damage you would wish to be repaired or reworked, please contact the artist at kimberlyncowan@gmail.com with photographs of the damage for a free repair/rework assessment. Small repairs that require minimal time are provided gratis (not including shipping costs), whereas major rework will require an hourly fee.
If your sculpture sustains scratches, chips or other damage you would wish to be repaired or reworked, please contact the artist at kimberlyncowan@gmail.com with photographs of the damage for a free repair/rework assessment. Small repairs that require minimal time are provided gratis (not including shipping costs), whereas major rework will require an hourly fee.