Shelf Mushroom- Toad
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 one is my favourite I think- I didn't mean to make him so angry looking but he really captures my essence I think.
The western Toad- Fun fact- if you grab these toads from behind and they make a noise or a squeak- that means they are likely male- they are letting other males know that they are a male and not a female when they get grabbed by other males - LOL
The mushroom used as a canvas 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.
- 5" x 4" across the image area
- 4" tall
- 4" x 3" across bottom base, which includes a bit of the log it was growing on.
- 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.