What inspires your fantastical creations?

Everything! I’m constantly finding inspiration in all aspects of life. One of my greatest frustrations is not having the time to realise all my designs.

What is your earliest memory of being creative?

It would seem that from an early age I enjoyed putting any new skill I had learnt to some sort of artistic use. Whether it was sewing, sculpting, carving or drawing. I have fond memories of sitting at the kitchen table making tiny creatures from salt dough that my mother had mixed. I would visualise detailed little worlds for them to inhabit. I grew up in the countryside and spent a lot of time playing outside. I think this gave me the opportunity to imagine the forms hidden in organic objects and to realise the potential of the natural materials that were available to me throughout the seasons. I would weave baskets out of reeds, build igloos from snow and model monsters out of sand.

You work with a variety of different materials such as wax and clay. Do you have a favourite and if so, why?

There is something magical to me about working with clay, it has a unique responsiveness to touch and texture, it seems to have a life of its own, clay seems to offer a direct connection that I’ve yet to find with another sculpting mediums. For finer smaller work I prefer to use Super-sculpey. Although it’s also a modelling medium it has its own unique qualities that are very different to those of natural clay, so you have to adapt your techniques specifically to the material.

You've been involved with two commissions by Blu-Tack, how did these come about?

I was fortunate enough to be approached by Blu-Tack directly. An employee of Bostik (the manufacturers of Blu-Tack) had come across some of my earlier work and had the idea to commission a piece which showed the versatility of the material. Both sculptures presented great technical challenges which I loved working through. Bostik were easy to work with as they were receptive to my design input.

How does it feel to be a world record holder?

It makes me smile every time I am reminded of it. It is always a great privilege to receive any kind of formal recognition. In this case it was a lovely surprise.

Which artists of the past or present have inspired your work?

There have been so many. Through books I was exposed at an early age to Picasso and Da Vinci. I also love the Pre-Raphaelites, Bernini, Rodin and Michelangelo, Ron Mueck, Arthur Rackham... I could go on.

How long does it take to complete a puppet like ‘Lester’ or ‘Fumbar?’ (Pictured above)

To be honest when I’m working I tend to lose all concept of time, if I’m really into my work forgetting to eat and sleep is a frequent occurrence. I think each of those characters took about 2 weeks to make from start to finish.

'It may become physical reality through intense concentration and visualization' is a quote cited on your site, tulpastudios.com. Is this how you approach your own work?

Very much so, particularly with my character pieces for which I create a history and individual personality. A roughly formed idea will slowly emerge from the sea of ideas and images in my mind. I get fixated on it trying to work out every facet and detail. In this sense it takes on a life of its own before I give it physical form.

Any new projects in the pipeline?

I have just won an exciting commission from the Royal Manchester Infirmary, which I will be documenting on www.tulpastudios.com. I am also really looking forward to working on some private commissions that have just come in.

Clockwise from top left: Blu-Tack spider sculpture; Levitating figure (1/3 lifesize); Grimm girl and troll dolls; ‘Lester’ bunraku puppet; ‘Fumbar’ hand puppet;

See more of Elizabeth's jotta portfolio