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

Painting of Yannick Kiggens Thurifera Juniper

I seem to have got back into painting of late and with the nights still dark early and all my deciduous trees that needed re potting, done, I thought id get the brushes out again. I first saw this tree in 2009 and was immediately struck by the deadwood and serpent like live vein.

Deadwood and live vein on canvas. Now for the foliage.This proved difficult 

 All done. Acrylics are difficult to photograph as they tend to shine a bit so it may look a little washed out

Elm raft in Erik Krizovensky pot

                    Finally put the raft in Eriks' pot this week. For the whole story click the link below.
                             http://wildwoodbonsai.blogspot.co.uk/2011/06/english-elm-raft.html

Updates on all my Ulmus

All my Ulmus have had the wire removed and pruned back in readiness for the coming Spring. Click the link above each picture for the full story and progress of every tree.

http://wildwoodbonsai.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/steve-harleyrider-jacksons-little-ulmus.html

http://wildwoodbonsai.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/steve-harleyrider-jackson.html

http://wildwoodbonsai.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/english-elm-back-to-basics.html

http://wildwoodbonsai.blogspot.co.uk/2011/06/english-elm-raft.html

http://wildwoodbonsai.blogspot.co.uk/2011/04/semi-cascade-elm.html

http://wildwoodbonsai.blogspot.co.uk/2011/04/big-ol-elm.html

http://wildwoodbonsai.blogspot.co.uk/2011/02/development-of-english-elm_816.html

Finished painting.

Finally finished the painting today. Detailed pics and the full story just click the link below
                  http://wildwoodbonsai.blogspot.co.uk/2011/04/prunus-spinosa.html

Homage to my dead Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa)

Sorry I have been so quiet of late but I'm in the process of buying a new home.at the moment. I have made time to paint a picture during the particularly wet Winter we are having. Work in progress and homage to my very nice Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) that died last year after the long cold spell we had. Acrylic on canvas and 3 ft x 3 ft (1m x 1m approx) I will update with detailed pics when finished.

Czech Republic. Mirek Skrabal's Mugo on day 3

Day 3. Sunday and we all met at Mirek's for second breakfast. This consisted of a feast of different hams, eggs and assorted goodies. Also on the menu was a platter of traditionally cooked Lamb on the bone that had been freshly slaughtered and we could still hear them being killed as we tucked into it. Delicious!!!.


Thoroughly stuffed, it was time to get the creative juices flowing.
Mirek asked me to work on some cut stubbs on a very feminine Mugo. One of my favourites in his collection I might add.

Some of the upper branches were wired out and up for carving access

Another beautiful day for working outside


The first and lowest cut branch to be worked to be worked

Beautiful natural deadwood





The second had a natural jin that was preserved

Picture wouldnt straighten. Back of the work but I still like to add detail all the way round

Everybody's happy


Back in position









After lunch, which involved eating vast amounts of fresh Trout (I ate 5), I worked on the dead top of another Pine.

 The Trout came straight from the pond and onto the Barbeque and were washed down with local wine. Doesn't get much better than this!

Light was fading fast so I stopped before mistakes were made.

We had a huge platter of Wild Boar to eat anyway.

I hope I get the opportunity to return and carry on the work I have started with all the trees and some more. I have been asked back and can't wait for the next episode....