Nearing the end...

Last Tuesday's class critique went very well!  We all made an interesting discovery about my piece when it was turned on its side, I feel it is much more successful this way. 

Since Tuesday's critique I have been sick, I am getting better now and the rain has finally stopped so I can get out and work.  I can only work at home now since I am no longer allowed to work in the sculpture studio. 

I have a good chunk of the day to be working today.  I started off by cutting out extra areas and problem areas that just weren't working with the piece.  Yes, I got gutsy and started sawing pieces off!  Fingers crossed that the final transport won't be too rough on it since I'm now removing pieces that could compromise structural integrity in transport.  Standing alone, though, it should be fine.  My plan is to work as much as I can all this week and this coming weekend I will stain it.

I have decided to go with stain, especially since it will be laid on its side now.  When it was standing up I think the stain would have brought too much out and compromised the aesthetic but I think it will be ok now.  I found a nice stain at Home Depot called Golden Pecan.  It is darker than the natural wood but not much, it should give it a nice honey colored hue.

Now the only consideration left is to figure out how the piece will be displayed...  Any thoughts on pedestals would be super helpful!  I think they should be between knee and waist height so viewers can see the upper parts of it but also not have to crawl on the floor to see the underside either.  Thoughts and advice are appreciated!