‘Surf Japan’ started with a couple packs of 100 skewers, a blank canvas, and enough super glue to make anyone light-headed.

Choosing a less intense way of securing the skewers may be a wise technique for next time. A wood burning wand was the tool of choice for the tree’s trunk and branches. While slowly maneuvering the wand between each skewer, I thought about the time and energy it takes for each and every tree to grow. Admittedly, I teared up multiple times, but that was probably from the burning fumes of dollar store super glue that were floating directly up into my eyes. I added a sign of life with leaves and flowers, then colored in a big red circle. Is it the moon, the sun, or Japan’s national flag?

I felt the piece needed just a little bit more super glue so I cut out a couple blocks and burned in the country’s border and written name in Japanese, as well as a classically shaped longboard. Glued those puppies down and signed my work. Surf Japan.