Shelf Mushroom- Swallowtail
Original Artwork hand burned on a dried 'polypore mushroom'
Polypore mushrooms:
You may know them as "shelf mushrooms", "bracket fungus", "Artist Conks" or another common name.
These are naturally growing fungal bodies that are found on dead and decomposing trees. There are a few different species used, and they are all naturally and sustainably harvested by hand- by Jaydlyn- from her surrounding Kootenay area. Collecting these fruiting bodies does no harm to the organism or it's mycelium- that of which is actually a decomposer: so it will be actively breaking down any tree's it's found on.
The soft underside of these fruiting fungi when dry create a beautiful natural canvas for me to burn on, and they sit nicely on top of a shelf with no stands needed.
These are incredibly unique pieces that are truly one-of-a-kind; as the mushrooms themselves are incredibly unique in nature, as this is not a common art practice.
The Deets:
This mushroom canvas features a swallowtail butterfly settled on a Canada Thistle blossom.
Thistles are known for being very sharp and inhospitable, however the purple tops of the flowers are very soft to the touch, a perfect landing place for pollinators.
Swallowtail butterflies are my favourite butterfly species here in BC, and the largest. (I don't think that's any coincidence) They only live for about two weeks total, and only appear at two different times during the year in an early summer hatching and a late summer hatching.
The mushroom used is A "Red-belted conk" or 'Fomitopsis mounceae'.
These polypore mushrooms actually have a little natural border along the outer edge, it's usually about half a cm or less thick, and a different texture than the inner fleshy parts: firmer and more pronounced- I try to leave these borders natural, as I think it adds to the uniqueness of how that mushroom in particular decided to grow. So the inconsistency you see in the border is actually the mushrooms natural border.
- 4.5" x 3" across the image area
- 2" tall
- 2.5" x 4.5" across bottom base
- Weight: 2oz or 55g
- Naturally grown polypore mushroom
- *NOT* Affixed with hanging hardware or standing hardware- Sits on it's own base on a shelf.
- Certificate of authentication
Each piece is unique and a one of a kind original creation by Jaydlyn Joan.