Scottish Thistle - Cast Paper
Width: 12 inches
"Scottish Thistle" is a captivating tribute to the rugged beauty of Scotland's national emblem. Crafted as a hand-painted cast paper artwork, this piece captures the delicate yet resilient nature of the thistle. Mounted on a 12" round canvas, the artwork is adorned with an artist-designed 3D printed frame, meticulously hand-painted to complement the intricate details of the piece. Each brushstroke celebrates the thistle's significance in Scottish culture, symbolizing resilience, bravery, and the untamed spirit of the Highlands. "Scottish Thistle" invites viewers to immerse themselves in the timeless allure of Scotland's landscape and heritage, a testament to the enduring legacy of this iconic symbol.
The Keepsake Story
Legend has it that in the 9th century when the Norse were often raiding Scotland, a group of Vikings tried to sneak up on a group of sleeping Clansmen. They had removed their shoes to creep quietly but stepped on thistles and cried out in pain. The alerted Scots made them pay.
I include this story on the back of the piece along with a small infographic of the Cast Paper process.
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.
