About The Artist, Custom Artwork, Paper Casting
and Other Types of Artwork

The Artist
My name is Allison Tobin Clark and I live in Charlotte, North Carolina. I am an active member of Temple Beth El, a UAHC Reform Jewish congregation, where I regularly attend services, sing in the adult choir, and contribute off-the-wall ideas to the music committee. In June 2000 I became a Bat Mitzvah, having studied with a group of women under the cumulative guidance of four Rabbis and two Cantors. These valued teachers have impressed upon me the complexity and indelibility of Jewish history and tradition, and they remain an inspiration in my daily life and work.

Custom Artwork
The custom design process usually begins with a tiny seed of an idea which is collaboratively explored and refined by the client and the artist until it blossoms in completion. Research may involve checking a number of sources, such as prayers, biblical passages, Talmud, etc. Accuracy and respect are required when working with sacred sources, and every consideration is given toward the proper development of each piece.

The decorative arts process continues with specific text selection and layout of the piece. Readability is an important consideration. Decorative elements may be inspired by the passage itself, or perhaps by ancient or medieval sources such as the incredibly beautiful Hebrew illuminated manuscripts of Europe. Effective custom design requires responsive communication between the client and the artist, and every attempt will be made to assure pride and satisfaction in the resulting artwork.

Paper Castings
While many castings can be made from a single mold, none are exact copies, and the process is much, much slower than (for instance) having a run of "prints" made by a commercial printer. My cast pieces share the serial nature of a "print" - yet each is an individual, handmade creation with its own unique ragged edges. Additionally, minor changes may occur to the mold, and each piece is hand-tinted with acrylic and/or watercolour media. Thus, each piece should be considered an original, and it is signed and dated. Many are numbered for the sake of establishing provenance and to allow me a method for tracking process or materials variations.

Paper-making requires a gloppy mixture of water and fibers, with each batch prepared for archival quality. My usual mixture is composed of approximately 95% cotton fibers and 5% hand-prepared fibers from local, natural sources (e.g., Autumn red Bradford pear leaves). Batches vary somewhat in appearance depending upon the selection and relative percentage of fibers.

Wet paper pulp is placed onto the prepared plaster mold and lovingly turned into delicate works of art featuring raised lettering and exquisite decorative devices. The process involves a number of steps from pressing to drying, the sequence of which is considered a trade secret.

Color selections for custom artwork can be general or very specific. Each letter is individually highlighted at least twice for precision and clarity. (Please note: while gold lettering is quite attractive at arm's length, some observers find a darker, higher-contrast text easier to read if the piece is to be viewed from any significant distance.)

Custom Huppah Design
A custom huppah (wedding canopy) is a wonderful way to combine the values and personalities of the marrying couple with the traditional representation of home and divine protection. Construction materials are virtually unlimited in possibility, and I love a challenge!

Previous commissions include a "Tree of Life" complete huppah, which covers an entire full-size huppah frame; an heirloom "insert" style huppah which forms a vine-painted canopy-within-the-canopy of a larger formal huppah on a stand; and a "freestyle" calligraphic huppah which is meant to be held above the heads of the bridal party by family members and/or close friends.

Glass Plates and Platters
These paintings are largely inspired by the historic Hebrew illuminated manuscripts of Europe. Painted on the reverse side of transparent glass plates or platters, these artworks are suitable for display as well as gentle use for special occasions.

Paints used are designed to be permanent on glass and are baked on, and the pieces may be gently washed with mild detergent. (Several of mine have been "accidentally" run through the dishwasher with no obvious harm -- however, this is not recommended. Your super-scrubbing dishwasher might get your plate much cleaner than you want, so wash these plates by hand!)

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