Microbial Beauty
While I was hiking in Hunterdon County, N.J., I spotted this piece of spalted maple on the forest floor.
Spalting results in a trail of carbon left when microbial action begins the decaying process in many woods, especially maples. It appears as black or brown lines or patches. Spalted woods have long been coveted by fine woodworkers because of their heightened beauty. The grain lines, figure and color contrasts are unique.
My wife, Gaye, chose the name Laughing Waters, because the finished sculpture suggested to her a happy place for falling water to play.
