Gentlemen:
If I can ever figure out how to post photos on this BBS, I shall present photographic evidence of actual wood sourcery -- by Mark Larson.
I sent him a Plain Jane set of wood from a Westley Richards droplock not long ago. It was about as prosaic as pine. What he sent back was a buttstock and forearm that is visually worth $4000 if one were to buy such figured wood on the open market.
The beauty of it is that I (and most anyone) absolutely cannot tell that this figure is art instead of nature. Professional painters/artists whom I've shown it to are agasht at the beauty.
The Force willing, it shall be a stunning part of an upcoming feature in a national double gun magazine which has rather "leathery" covers.
Just thought you'd like to know that genius still lives. And in our world, this modern day Leonardo goes by the name of Mark Larson.
Best, Kensal.
