Blue Crab Tide Pool – Magnolia Memory
Life captured between tide and grain.
Salvaged from a cutoff piece of magnolia while building a river table, this piece brings a miniature tide pool to life. Real taxidermy blue crabs (trapped and prepared by the artist), sand, local seashells, and authentic netting are embedded in two gallons of crystal-clear epoxy. The live-edge magnolia wood is finished to a soft matte with Rubio Monocoat, while the epoxy surface shines like glass, allowing the underwater scene to be viewed from every angle. Mounted on a black metal ring stand, it becomes a conversation piece that captures the living edge of Louisiana’s waters.
The inspiration came from the desire to preserve a small, vibrant ecosystem in wood and resin — a tribute to the crabs, shells, and tides that define the Gulf Coast.
Materials: Salvaged magnolia with live edge, real taxidermy blue crabs, sand, local seashells, authentic netting, crystal-clear epoxy, Rubio Monocoat finish, ring stand.
Dimensions: Tabletop size 16” wide x 19” long x 1.5” deep x 20”high from floor (exact dimensions vary with the wood edge shape).
Price: $2,150.
Serious inquiries welcome. Message for additional information or to discuss commissioning a similar piece.
Location: Louisiana, USA
Available
Magnolia Blue Crab Tide Pool Table by Art Illusions by Young from Folsom, Louisiana. A compact live-edge magnolia wood slab side table features hand-painted blue crabs, sand, seashells, and netting embedded in crystal-clear epoxy, creating a realistic tide pool scene. Mounted on a sleek black metal ring base and displayed outdoors on green grass, this piece captures the vibrant marine life of Louisiana coastal waters.
Magnolia Blue Crab Tide Pool Table by Art Illusions by Young. The natural live-edge magnolia wood with rich grain is transformed into a functional art table, showcasing detailed blue crabs and tidal elements preserved under thick, glossy epoxy. The elegant black metal base highlights the organic shape and luminous water effects.
Side profile of the Magnolia Blue Crab Tide Pool Table by Art Illusions by Young. The depth of the clear epoxy pour is visible, encasing hand-painted blue crabs, sand, and netting within the live-edge magnolia slab. The sturdy black metal stand elevates the piece, allowing light to play across the realistic tide pool composition.
Angled outdoor view of the Magnolia Blue Crab Tide Pool Table by Art Illusions by Young. The live-edge magnolia wood and embedded epoxy tide pool with blue crabs are shown from a dynamic perspective on lush grass, emphasizing the natural wood contours and the three-dimensional quality of the marine scene.
Top angled view of the Magnolia Blue Crab Tide Pool Table by Art Illusions by Young. Intricate details of hand-painted blue crabs, seashells, and netting are beautifully preserved in clear epoxy within the warm-toned live-edge magnolia wood, creating a captivating miniature coastal ecosystem.
Full outdoor side view of the Magnolia Blue Crab Tide Pool Table by Art Illusions by Young. The completed piece stands gracefully on its black metal base amid green grass, with the epoxy-encased blue crabs and tidal elements glowing against the natural magnolia wood grain and distant trees.
Top-down detail of the Magnolia Blue Crab Tide Pool Table by Art Illusions by Young. Hand-painted blue crabs appear to crawl across sand and netting within the translucent epoxy “water,” revealing the exceptional realism and depth achieved through meticulous painting and multiple layers of clear resin on live-edge magnolia.
Studio process shot of the Magnolia Blue Crab Tide Pool Table by Art Illusions by Young. The live-edge magnolia slab rests on a workbench with blue crabs, sand, and netting arranged before the base installation, illustrating the careful construction that brings the coastal tide pool scene to life.
Workshop side shot of the Magnolia Blue Crab Tide Pool Table by Art Illusions by Young. The epoxy resin has been applied and the Rubio Monocoat applied over the hand-painted blue crabs and natural elements on the magnolia wood, capturing one of the final stages in creating this durable, luminous tide pool artwork.
Hands of the artist prepping the Magnolia Blue Crab Tide Pool Table top by Art Illusions by Young. The rich magnolia wood grain contrasts beautifully with the clear epoxy tide pool containing detailed blue crabs, demonstrating the seamless integration of natural wood, painting, and resin work.
Workshop view of the Magnolia Blue Crab Tide Pool Table top by Art Illusions by Young entering the final stages of production. This view from above of the magnolia slab displays a vibrant underwater scene with blue crabs, sand, shells, and netting preserved under glossy epoxy, ready for mounting on its custom black metal stand.