Spalting is discoloration of wood caused by fungus, most often during decay. It can happen to diseased or stressed trees, and rarely in live, healthy trees. Spalting can create some very beautiful colorations in the wood, as it did in the piece of maple where I found this little dog hiding.

As I said, spalting occurs during decay. Another side effect of decay is that the wood often becomes softer (sometimes a good thing) and more likely to splinter (not a good thing). This piece was quite prone to splinter, causing me to lose the tail, half of the left foot, and part of an ear. Still, I love the color and I think this is the best face I’ve done yet.