London-based artist Rachel Dein of Tactile Studio preserves everyday objects in a unique way. Using the process of casting, she presses both natural and man-made materials into wet clay and then fills the voids with a combination of plaster and concrete. What results are slabs that showcase the subjects' intricate characteristics, with their colors subtly tinting the plaster as it dries. Occasionally, as an added step to this process, Dein will hand paint the casts after they've been finished and refined.
The size of Dein's work varies, and some of her compositions measure as large as 16 squared inches. She fills these spaces with beautiful blooms, fruits, vegetables, and even children's toys. The possibilities are endless, which affords clients the opportunity to request commissions that are tailored to their lives and personalities. “I enjoy the magic of plaster casting to create fossils from everyday life,” she writes, “whether it's a shell found on holiday, your grandmother's treasured lace, a Christening gown, or the flowers from your wedding.”
Dein sells her creations through her Etsy shop, but she's also available for custom work through her website.
