Originally, I planned to use the existing stump as the base for this piece, but I ended up only using part of the wood for a couple of reasons. First, the stump wasn’t quite tall enough to suit the design. And second, I noticed some signs of Ganoderma fungus — which can cause damage to the heart and roots of the timber. Luckily, when I cut into the stump, I found no signs of heart rot, so I knew it was safe to work with.

For the sea lion and the fleur de lis, I used different pieces of timber. I loved the idea of the lion’s mouth wide open, as if it’s roaring — that was a real challenge, especially getting the teeth just right. This was a big project, carved in sections back at my workshop, then carefully pinned onto the stump.

The stump itself was transformed into rippling water, creating a dynamic background and relevance to the sea lion. To secure the sea lion and tail onto the stump, I used thick steel rods, making sure everything was strong and stable. It was a complex process, but I really enjoyed bringing this scene to life — combining the oak timber with powerful, detailed carving to create a piece full of movement and energy.