Raven - Cast Paper
Width: 12 inches
"Raven" is a captivating homage to the mystical significance of this iconic bird in Celtic and Norse mythology. Crafted as an original hand-painted cast paper piece, the artwork embodies the rich cultural associations with the raven. Among the Irish Celts, the raven symbolized the Goddess, the Morrigan, embodying both the role of "Chooser of the Slain" and guardian of warriors. Similarly, in Norse mythology, the god Odin's ravens, Huginn and Muninn, traversed the world as his emissaries, gathering knowledge and wisdom. This artwork, mounted on a 12" round canvas and adorned with a hand-painted 3D printed frame designed by the artist, pays homage to the raven's esteemed place in ancient lore. With meticulous detail and reverence for tradition, "Raven" invites viewers to delve into the depths of myth and symbolism associated with this enigmatic creature.
Paper Casting
Paper casting is to me the perfect medium. It allows me to use almost every skill set. A typical piece begins as a drawing or two. Then I sculpt it in wax. This is a long refining process and often the image sculpted is far different from the drawing. Then I build a dam around the wax and pour a rubber mold directly off the surface. A casting is made by pressing the wet cotton pulp into the mold and extracting the water. Then I finish the surface.
While every piece that emerges from the mold is about the same, no two are painted the same. Maybe I would if I could, but the painting process is always in flux. I am always experimenting with ways of mixing colors or washes and hard edges or new pigments. I spend about 75% of my time with the painted finishes. Click here to see the process.
