Rhubarb sculpture success!

Look at this wonderful birdbath!! In my previous post, I wrote about the process of actually casting this leaf, which incidentally leaks!! That will be another chapter for repair of the birdbath, but we are so excited at the detail. This morning we finished the staining process. This was simply done with acrylic paints--the type used for craft projects and a little water to dilute the tints. In fact, the brushes used were old paint brushes, the type used to paint walls. The colors were brushed and blended, both dry and wet. The veins were reinforced using a old plastic medicine syringe, compliments from the veterinarian for our sick puppies. We used a black-green paint, diluted it a little and squirted it down the vein depressions left from the Rhubarb leaf.


This next photo is a picture of a water hyacinth which was a pleasant surprise this morning. I have a pond in my backyard which is totally a cup of pea soup at the present. Despite our attempts to use a multitude of plants and even an unsuccessful dose of chemicals, it remains pea soup!! However, the fish are surviving and the plants are thriving. I have never had a blooming hyacinth and am thrilled to see it blossoming.

Erica and Jeffery are leaving tomorrow morning and we are wishing we could keep them captive for a few more days, but such is life. We floated the river yesterday and will elaborate more about that adventure later.