I’ve been working on this relatively small painting in between jobs for over a month now! I’ll probably tweak it a bit more yet, but I couldn’t wait to share it now that it’s finally coming close to what I envisioned. This mushroom, like its climber, is entirely imaginary, but it was inspired by various real species. If you are a fan of fungi in its many fanciful forms, be sure to check out this fascinating blog: When we die, we become one with the earth. Beautiful photos of some amazing shrooms!
The background engraving was scanned from The Practical Standard Dictionary, 1943; the borders were from an old map.
The not-so-secret message in the annulus refers to a series of books by Eleanor Cameron that I loved as a child. Working on this really made me want to reread those books!
p.s. This one’s dedicated to my friend Heather, an avid mushroom-hunter, & my father, a soon-to-be truffle farmer!
Edit: Prints of this painting (along with the original) are now available in my Etsy shop!
I really like this. Will we see this in some form in the shop on Esty?
Thanks, Doc! Yes, I’m hoping to have it in my shop in a couple of days. Still one or two tweaks nagging at me!
This really caught my eye. And your fungi-invention is wildly wonderful. Thanks much for the link on mushrooms too
Thanks, Tom! I’m glad you liked the link too– I can’t get enough of that blog!
hello Leah,
i did not know that truffles could be farmed. i think we have some here in Montana, they grow under certain trees. if one sees a squirrel digging there, then maybe we can find them too. ;-)
your painting is fabulous! i love all the details and the creature on it, well i adore looking at it!
Thanks, Tammie! Yes, truffles do grow wild in some places, but they can also be farmed– my dad has planted a grove of trees inoculated with truffle spores. As the trees mature, the truffles should start to emerge! It’s a long-term project. :-)
that is so awesome that your dad did that.
he might end up with the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow with this project
Beautiful mushroom and dweller. I love all the details.
Thank you, Valerie! I always have fun with the details. :-)