Text by Audra Shalles
Photography by Andrew Greaves

Though nature’s ever-evolving bounty might be ephemeral, Jennine Greaves of Plaster & Petals makes it her mission to capture singular bursts of beauty in each of the curios she creates. Plucked fresh from the outdoors or from floral stock obtained from local suppliers, flowers are pressed firmly into clay to imprint the delicate veins, petals, and textures of each plant. The impression is then cast in plaster, creating a three-dimensional bas-relief intaglio. “Because flowers are so fleeting, I love to cast them,” Jennine says. “Each piece becomes a lasting tribute to something beautiful and significant.”

The small feathery plumes of goldenrod are gently pressed into clay before artist Jennine Greaves rolls the surface. Once removed, the tiny clusters of blooms will leave behind a captivating imprint that she paints with white plaster.
Based in Kentucky, where she lives with her husband, Andrew, and their four children and two French bulldogs, Jennine began experimenting with techniques for creating floral intaglios about four years ago. Prior to pursuing artistic interests, Jennine spent fifteen years as a hairdresser. “I’ve always been drawn to working with my hands and creating beauty, whether that was through hair or my floral intaglio art,” says the maker. Initially, she used only white plaster, leaving items a natural color or painting them. Now she layers the material, using white for the florals and a colored plaster for the rest to add greater dimension.

Since any imperfection or debris is caught in the casting, Jennine must patiently ensure each step of production is accurate. “My process starts with selecting the perfect blooms,” says the artisan. “I love using local and seasonal flowers.” In the spring, tulips and snowdrops are a favorite, their cheerful faces a reminder of the emergence of new life after the earth’s deep winter slumber. Hydrangeas are another cherished blossom. “They remind me of growing up in Connecticut and spending time at East Coast beaches,” she recalls.

A single intaglio is certain to invite lingering looks, but when a bounty of cosmos- and zinnia-strewn tiles is gathered onto a canvas to create a quilt-like mosaic, the display becomes a complete showstopper.
Though plans for a dedicated studio space are in the works, Jennine currently plies her craft from the convenient confines of the garage, which easily allows her to manage familial responsibilities. She spends anywhere from forty minutes to two hours constructing an intaglio, and every item is unique. “Just like snowflakes, no two flowers are the same,” Jennine says. “You’re getting a one-of-a-kind work of art that can never be recreated.”
For more information, visit plasterandpetals.com.

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