I choose the wood for my art by its character, not its species. You will find knots, cracks, natural deformities, uneven surfaces and textures, as well as the occasional saw mark. These are all things that speak to me when selecting my next canvas. They are not finished, finely sanded and planed but instead what we find ourselves surrounded by in nature when we venture out into it to forget the rat race for a little while. They are truly a mixture of rustic and refined, covering and blending these things with my art.
I would also like to make note of where they should be hung. If you have a deck outside, you know it needs to be sealed every couple years or the sun will bleach it. And that your firewood pile or that driftwood found on the river bleaches in the sun. The same will happen to a woodburning, no matter what it is sealed with given enough time. It's my suggestion that my art only be displayed indoors, and not somewhere that it will receive regular, direct sunlight. Just like that wood outside, the sun's UV shows no mercy. My work is sealed with a UV resistant boat sealer, but still be conscience of hanging in extended direct sunlight.
