After moving to the wilderness of Connecticut, USA, Raphael was inspired to create his breathtaking Gaia collection. Named after the Mother Earth goddess, this mesmerising selection of hand-embellished limited edition and original works layers imagery and portraiture with natural elements from all over the world. Created in Raphael’s outdoor studio, the original mixed media artworks were adorned with feathers, flowers, leaves (and even shark teeth!) before being left outside to evolve under the heat and sunlight. To retain the stunning colours of the foliage, Raphael used pre-dried flowers found in local markets and the woodlands surrounding his home. Mirroring this organic theme, the hand-signed limited edition prints were printed onto 100% cotton watercolour paper, which was created using natural woollen felts to give it a beautiful, unique texture. Details include gold foil elements and rustic paper edges, which are showcased by a sustainably sourced frame that is bespoke to Castle Fine Art. “The frames are part of the wilderness,” explains Raphael. “They keep the integrity of the concept, but make people look at the art in a different way – and that’s always a good thing.”
Gaia (above) Silkscreen & Mixed Media on Saunders Waterford 640gsm | Edition of 95 Image Size 61cm x 91cm | Framed Size 86cm x 120cm £1,450
Natural Soul (right) Silkscreen & Mixed Media on Saunders Waterford 640gsm | Edition of 95 Image Size 61cm x 91cm | Framed Size 86cm x 120cm £1,450
“Using string allows me to express texture and design; it can make the piece feel contemporary with graphic lines, or more fluid with free-flowing strands.”
102 FINE ART COLLECTOR AUTUMN/WINTER 2020
FINE ART COLLECTOR AUTUMN/WINTER 2020 103
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker