Artwork Collection: Portraits

Mei hua, or plum blossom, is the national flower of China. … Continue readingMei Hua (Plum Blossom)

“Ubax Qurux Badan” – Beautiful Flower (Somali) This portrait cameo is made of walnut burl with a sapele background.  These woods are very technically challenging to work with.  Due to the unusual circular grain pattern, walnut burl is crumbly and dry.  Sapele has a very … Continue readingUbax Qurux Badan (Beautiful Flower)

“Khari-bulbul” – Ophrys caucasica (Azerbaijani) This cameo is made from figured sycamore on a figured anigre background.  Natasha favours sycamore for the clean, sharp lines that can be cut into it for marquetry.  Working with it is helpful for very fine, precise work. Khari-bulbul is … Continue readingKhari-bulbul (Ophrys caucasica)

“Pua ma’o hau hele” – Yellow Hibiscus (Hawaiian) The background of figured sycamore is in high contrast to the mahogany portrait.  Mahogany tends to splinter, which made the fine curves on the necklace a significant technical challenge. This piece is a deviation from the strict … Continue readingPua ma’o hau hele (Yellow Hibiscus)