'Midsummer Night's Garden 50 x 23.5cm.  Unique botanical bas-relief casts made in concrete from an original master using grey/brown Ciment Fondu and kiln dried sand. Ideal stunning home decor for inside or outside. 
These flowers were collected from my own garden on the 24th June (hence Midsummer Night title) as part of my 'One Moment in Time' series. 
The process of botanical bas-relief is an ancient method used by botanists to record the finest details of plant species. Fresh flowers are carefully arranged onto a piece of flat, wet clay, and pressed in. When these are removed the flowers leave behing their unique impression.
The clay is used to create a mould and a strong plaster of paris mix is poured into that mold to create this unique art form of detailed textured 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.
Outdoor concrete casts will develop a unique patina over time, changing from almost black, through grey/bronze to a dark grey.