I was going to dye this with ink and then patinating wax to accent the grain. This bowl is only 6x3.75 inches and is the core of a larger blank. This tree was under thick cover in a cedar swamp and had to struggle for food and sunlight all its life just to exist. Our Black Ash get their leaves in early June and loose them in August. I always marvel at the wide growth rings I see on a lot of ash items I see posted from less harsh climates. With the aid of a magnifying glass I counted 103 years on this one. When I saw the tight grain and growth rings I felt that the wood had too much of a story to tell to cover it up, so for this one I am back to natural. So for now this one can rock back and forth on its round bottom on the mantel as the breeze hits through the window, making it still seem alive.
Comments and suggestions always welcome.
