Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) from urban waste ground

I bought this tree cheaply from a bonsai nursery many moons ago. I chose it because at the time it was very straight and had little taper. I wanted it for a club demo to show that something could be made from nothing.
 Since then it has sat on my benches and has just been clipped and grown. Today (March 23) I wanted to improve the carving as it is very flat and I want a hollow twisted tree

Deadwood was removed only as far as sapwood and then stopped. Once it has seasoned, I will take it further

 I bought the Dremel 4000 and wanted to try it out. I have left some deadwood on for now but the idea is to have a completely hollow tree and that you can see the spiral well

It has aged really well in a bonsai pot situation and its a shame I have no early pictures as it is a massive transformation. I will update over the coming months and years

Update on a Pinus slylvestris. Rewire

       Rewired and placed today. For some history and all the pics just click on the link below

                  http://wildwoodbonsai.blogspot.co.uk/2011/04/native-scots-pine.html

Gracious old man

There is a public park not far from me. Dog walkers, joggers and families enjoy this wooded area down near the Estuary. Most people don't see him down there. This gracious old man stands on his own as most walk under his arms oblivious to his magnificence. A few visit from time to time and spend a while in quiet contemplation. Walk around his body and wonder how long he has been there. How long he will be there. The stories this old Oak could tell.

Small Taxus. Huge inspiration

A year or two after starting bonsai, I was introduced to Kevin Willson and spent time at his School on workshops and on rainy days when I couldn't work. Kev has some pretty amazing Bonsai and material material but the first tree to really grab me and what I mean by that is shivers down the spine was a fairly diminutive little Taxus. Every visit this tree was the first I would look at. The way the deadwood seemed to spew from the trunk was awe inspiring.
Unfortunately the Yew was sold abroad and from what I have seen has never looked as good as it did when Kev had it in his garden. I trawled the internet to find pictures of the "Little Dragon but to no avail. Fortunately Kevs assistant and long time friend, Richard Chambers came to the rescue with an older Ginkgo Awards book so I could get it on canvas.

                                                              Deadwood and live vein

Stone and Moss

Pot and stand

Finished attempt