What inspired me?
A tree stump.
 
I was wandering in the Forest of Dean and came across a tree stump. Dead trees are vital in a landscape, as they continue to provide a habitat for birds and insects for decades, in some cases even centuries.
 
The stump was gradually being reclaimed back into nature, from inside and out. Numerous tiny holes around the outside gave a lacy appearance. The spalting process had produced subtle colours and patterns.  
 
I carved and pierced a wooden disc to give the lacy effect. Fewer  holes than the real thing, but enough to show the concept. The inner pattern was carved to look random, but also to suggest leaves and shoots... hinting at what had been there but had now disappeared.
 
Pale lines and colours suggest spalting. Originally I'd planned stronger colours, but those detracted from the structural components.