The latest in my diatom series. This is one of those pieces I just got carried away with. Originally I intended just to do a pierced bowl based on a diatom. I use one of those cheap Ikea LED lights while doing detail work/piercing. I had it shining it down on the bowl and noticed how cool the shadows were that it cast. That inspired me to make a pedestal to give it a chance to create shadow. I wanted something organic and reflective of the ocean for the pedestal, then landed on the idea of an octopus. It was all done and ready for finish (plain, slightly figured ash from our property) and I thought it would look good with some color. So it got some aniline dye, then a couple coats of Tung oil/varnish mix.
Ash
Bowl 7" x 2.25"
8" High with pedestal
Aniline dye
Tung oil/varnish mix