Collection: Fractal Wood Burning Collection

Fractal Burned Wood Art

The technique used to create the fractal wood burnings is called Lichtenberg wood burning.  The pattern is created by etching the wood with high voltage electricity using a 10,000 Volt transformer.  The fractal burns are created by applying a voltage difference between electrodes that are placed on the wood.  Prior to the burn the desired burn region is treated with a baking soda-water solution to increase the conductivity of the wood and allow the electrons to flow more freely.  The resulting pattern is a chaotic image that can only be partially controlled.  The burned wood is subsequently stained using oils giving the images additional meaning and depth.  Some wood choices used include bamboo, birch, poplar and pine.  Each have their own distinctive burn characteristics, grain patterns and stain characteristics which make each image unique.  The images simulate the life we see around us and the uniqueness of every living entity.