fine detail exterior use

[davidk]

I have an above ground pool which I am decorating the sides in an aquarium theme. I have been using redwood until now because of its properties to withstand the weather. I have treated all my carvings with either a linseed oil stain w/color or have primed w/oil based primer. I can get enough detail with redwood on the kelp, sea grass, large corals and most of my fish but when I went to carving sea horses and anenomes it is a no go. I am have used basswood to carve 3 seahorse models and am pleased with the detail I can achieve. My question is about the longevity of basswood in extreme temperature . Is there another wood I can use for the detail I want that I can paint. I live in southern Utah with temps well over 100 degrees most of the summer. I have painted the corals and fish with acrylic paint and sealed them with a uv-resistant acrylic coating. I have tried painting with oil but with over a 100 separate carvings it up too much of time to dry. I use knives and only dremel when puting in the rays of the fins.