Woodland Wildlife Paintings on Fungi
posted by on 03/29/10
If you love Appalachian wildlife, I can’t think of a better way to display it than on a Phellinus rimosus, fungus! The fungus grows like a shelf on Black Locust trees, and when broken off can make a 
beautiful upright surface to paint images on. It is as if it was made for this very purpose. Even the back of the fungus is a beautiful, natural, bark-like surface. From 
what I have seen, they most commonly grow about 5-7 inches by 7-9 inches, although they can grow much larger. I have been commissioned a couple times to paint pictures on these, and it’s 
been a pleasure every time. Since this artwork cannot be easily reproduced, each original is especially valuable. I’m hoping to be able to paint on some of these to put up for sale here on our website some time. We’ll see.
!!!!!! I didn’t know you painted! I WANT ONE!
What a beautiful and creative idea.
Very creative and just beautiful!
That looks like so much fun to create!
That’s amazing! I had no idea anybody could paint on such a surface. Does it have to be pretreated prior to being painted on?
I seal the surface before painting. Otherwise the paint would soak in too much and it would be harder to get a vivid image. If anyone would like me to do one, feel free to contact me. They’re typically only $200 to $800 each right now, depending on the size of the fungus. Most of what I have right now in stock and ready to be painted are on the small size.
I know those take a lot of time Michael and you can’t do many but it is a great idea to picture them in a post. They can’t be illegally reproduced very well
By the way, creativity is the character quality of the month for this Wisdom Booklet! Thank you for your example.
I have painted on glass for years, but someone has asked me to paint on fungi. What do you seal yours with and do you use acrylic, enamel or oil paint on yours?
Karen, I use acrylic paint. I found a clear water based polyurethane effective at sealing the surface prior to painting.
Michael, would gesso work the same as a sealer on the fungi?
You know, I haven’t tried it, but I think it should work. Sometimes the face of the fungi can be cracked, and if you don’t want the cracks, gesso may have the added advantage of helping fill them. Let me know how it goes!
I will, and thanks for your help.