These are direct impressions of fresh leaves and blossoms from the artist’s garden, using a fine cement mixture in a process called sandcasting.The cast piece is cleaned of the remains of the organic material , the edges are filed/shaped, if necessary, and cured for several weeks. It is then handpainted in detail, using many shades and layers of colors in acrylics, then coated with a cure and seal product, the same that is used on outdoor patios.
Nanci Shufritz is a native of Toledo, Oh., and has always been surrounded by art, as her father was (and is) a very talented oil painter, and she watched and learned from him and accompanied him on frequent trips to the Toledo Museum of Art. Although she did inherit his artistic ability and desire to create unusual and beautiful things, it emerged in areas other than oil painting. Beyond that, everything she has done artistically has been self taught.
She has found a way to combine her love of creating beauty (her background includes jewelry and beadwork design) with a love of nature and the outdoors (she attended the first Master Gardening classes ever offered in the Toledo area). The sandcasting of leaves and flowers seemed to be the perfect progression ~ blending art and nature.
The artist is inspired by all the subtle shapes and colors found in the natural world, and of the idea of something ephemeral captured in a medium that could theoretically last lifetimes
Nanci lives in Southwest Toledo with her husband and “business advisor”, Steve, their gardens, and two cats.
My work is featured on the ConcreteNetwork's newsletter. Forgive the poor grammar (like"casted"), I did not write that! Anyway,I'm still flattered by it. It can be found here ~http://ohio.concretenetwork.com/concrete-countertops-sandusky-toledo.html
ArtWanted.com/NanciWorld
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