Local artist uses paper mache, wood to make masks

Bright, colorful masks line the walls of Lisa Goldman's home art studio. Some are human faces. Some are animals. And some are decorated with whatever scraps of odds and ends she could find.

For the last eight years, Goldman as begun creating masks made out of paper mache or plaster.

After taking a class from an artist in Murphys, Goldman said she just never stopped. Her first one was a model of herself, which she named "Old Woman." She enjoys never knowing how her project is going to turn out.

"I have an idea and it just takes on a life of its own," she said.

What has been your most unique mask?

They are all pretty different. There's one made out of wood, river birch and sycamore. It's just the shape of the bark. I call it "The Man from the Woods."

What was the most difficult one you made?

They are all hard for different reasons. Some are hard because I don't get to portray what I want to. Probably the fish head, because it took me a long time.

What are the supplies that you use?

Air dry clay, polymer clay, plaster, paper mache. For some, I've used ceramics. I use an old dictionary from the 1800s, old music scores, metal embossing. I like to mix different mediums. A lot of it is found stuff; string, twine and magazine photos.

Do you just use yourself as a model or do you use others?

I have other faces like my daughter, my friend Mara, my friend Sarah, my mom. My husband is in some. Anybody who will let me do their face.

How do you breathe when you have the mask on?

I don't cover the nostrils or the eyes.

What are some step-by-step instructions in case someone wants to do it at home?

Lisa Goldman at a glance

Age: 54.
Occupation: Used to be a pharmacy tech at St. Josephs, now is an artist.
Family: Has been married for 27 years and has two daughters and one granddaughter.
Hobbies: Art, spending time with granddaughter and gardening in the past.

The plaster you can get at Michaels. You will want to pull your hair back and put vaseline on your hair so it doesn't stick. Dip the plaster in the water and put it on in a criss-cross pattern and then go around. You will feel it drying as it tightens up. You can decorate those.

The paper mache takes too long to dry. You can do paper mache over the top of the plaster mold.

Where do you get the inspiration for decorating?

Just by looking at what I've got around. Sometimes it tells me what I want to do.

Is there one you want to try but haven't?

Encaustics. It's like painting with wax.

Contact Features Editor Pamela Bauserman at pamelab@lodinews.com.

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