I have been wanting to create larger, totem-like sculptures for awhile now. After a summer of sketching and planning, this one is my first. Like many of my current works, Fiona is an experiment on the combination of animal and plant-like forms. This new bulb-like creature is a bit reminiscent of a fennel bulb sprouting out of a burlap sack. Rather than having leaves atop the creature, I wanted to use the leaves as a backdrop for the environment in which it might be found. And, of course, they need a plush, pink pillow to rest their tush on. The title is a play on a combination of the scientific names of various types of fennel. 

Constructing a taller, narrow form was a challenge. I played with the idea of having an internal support (a steel pipe screwed into a flange attached to a wood base). I planned to keep the pieces separate so that moving and setting up the sculpture would be easier. I found I had some trouble getting the rounded bottoms and tops of the pieces to nestle well enough to be stable even with the internal support. I decided to ultimately epoxy the pieces together to position them just the way I wanted and not have to worry. I found that the internal support was no longer needed, and that I liked the look of the sculpture without the bottom piece I had made to cover up the wood base.  For being my "tester totem" I am very pleased with the end result as much as I am with what I learned from the experience.