'Summer Cornfield' 40 x 24cm. Bas releif botanical handmade with dark grey Ciment Fondu.
Currently on display at Sofa&Stuff in Salisbury as part of their RHS Botanical Range.
The process of botanical bas-relief is an ancient method used by botanists to record the finest details of plant species. Real flowers are carefully arranged onto a piece of flat clay, and pressed in to make a 'negative' relief. When the flowers are carefully removed and any seeds picked out, they leave behing their unique impression. The clay is used to create a mould and a strong plaster of paris (Crysacal R) is poured into that mold to create this unique art form of delecate, detailed botanicals.
 
From this original master a silicone mould can be made which is used to make a limited number of concrete casts,  each one being handmade and unique. The new ciment fondu looks black/bronze and is finished by lightly polishing with Lavender marble wax. This botanical panel can be displayed indoors or outside. After several months of weathering outside the colour will become a beautiful dark grey.