Root tree project
Root “Tree” created from a real root and polymer clay for a Red Riding Hood shadow box project (MarieYoungCreative.com)

My husband Rob defeated a nemesis this summer,  a stubborn root from a volunteer tree that had taken up residence up against the foundation of our house. With a lot of sweat and a small blood sacrifice, he managed to get the entire root out of the ground. He was ready to throw it on the brush pile when the shape caught my eye.  I was confident that underneath the dried clay soil clumps was the the perfect “fantasy tree” for a sculpture.

From Root to Fantasy Tree

Here’s the steps that I took to turn a stubborn root into the perfect tree for Red’s Wolf to hide behind.

  1. Trim off some of the ends to form a nice “tree” shape.
  2. Clean the root with water and a wire brush to remove dirt and loose bark.
  3. Stain or use a paint wash to enhance the color
  4. Add mokume clay slices (I used black, pearl and white clay) to create few focal points.
  5. Add brown chalks and pearl powders to provide shading to the white clay.
  6. Tint liquid polymer with brown ink or oil paint. Cover the entire root.
  7. Cure the clay according to the liquid clay directions.

See the final piece here >