This piece bagan with canvas folded into the crane model. The model was scoured in a soda ash solution, then unfolded and Procion lapis dye was applied to one side of the canvas forced through to the other. This resulted in the "back" side of the canvas retaining more dye in the fold creases. The canvas was then stretched "back" side up, with the pattern used as the underpainting.
Inspired by stories of sea monsters, Coleridge's "Rime of the Ancient Mariner", and a fascination with giant squids.