"The Mind of an Octopus" on a beautiful custom surfboard by Ventana Surfboards.

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This woodburning shows the delicate nervous system of Octopus vulgaris, which is unique and unparalleled among invertebrates and even rivals that of dogs in terms of the number of neurons (500,000,000!). Each sucker is innervated with 10,000 neurons which collectively allow the arms to think, feel, and taste independently of the octopus's brain. Its arms may work in tandem or independently of its centralized brain.

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The textures of this wood are incredible, like ripples in liquid gold. I loved weaving the textures of the octopus around these delicate highlights and plunging into the shadows.

 

The design will be bordered by brass inlays, and this gorgeous hodge-podge mosaic of upcycled wood materials, by Martijn Stiphout of Ventana Surfboards for Chris Willis.