Wisteria carving with Andrew

This morning (Sunday) I've been at 'The Bonsai Shed' with Andrew Barber, hiding from the rain!

After a good cup of coffee, we got to work, him carving, repotting & styling a large Chinese Elm belonging to a client of his, and me carving a wisteria I recently acquired, which had two prominent chop stubs. One was near the top of the trunk, and the other from a lower branch. Some of this deadwood had started rotting, and woodlice had gotten behind the bark.

Lower stump after some deadwood removal (the white is chalk)

Upper chop stump after some deadwood removal; showing where the carving will be.

Majority of the carving done.

The lower 'uro' is isolated, but the upper uro is connected to the upper carving through a part hollowed trunk.

After painting hollows with black paint (i'm hoping will fade somewhat with age!), pruning, wiring and wood hardener.

---

Detail

In retrospect I should have waited longer for the wood (and paint) to dry properly! A lesson learnt, but no harm done! If it doesn't fade with time, I will gently re-sand it with the dremmel.