
I could play with this for ages. This time the earth had become a blazing sunset or a moon being clouds. The tree is from stencils I have on my phone. The rays could be eminating from the moon or Sun. Maybe I should stop now….
New paintings and regular art updates.

I could play with this for ages. This time the earth had become a blazing sunset or a moon being clouds. The tree is from stencils I have on my phone. The rays could be eminating from the moon or Sun. Maybe I should stop now….

A rim of moss a foot up the trunk of the tree from its roots. Must be where the rain splashes up. But to me it looked like feet or hands reaching down into the soil. If the roots grasped the soil would squidge up like mud. Spurting up because of the force and strength of the tree. What would happen if trees had muscles. If a simple ivy can twist and squeeze a stem perhaps a tree could tighten round a car or a building. Seeds get into cracks and grow and break stone. Time allows them to do this. The growth is slow. But it can change the landscape.

Today’s #bandofsketchers prompt was memory. I don’t have a photo of this but it’s stuck in my mind. There was a rock wall and maybe a tree growing up from it, or growing nearby. That is what I see in my minds eye. The tree trunk was very gnarled and each time I walked past I saw a gnarly face.
This is from when I was a child. There was also an avenue of similar trees behind it. But I can’t remember how they were placed. Then there were park railings and houses beyond. Its funny what sticks in the memory. X

I sat and drew one of the magnolias while we were there at Bishton Hall. It was just a black and white sketch so I coloured it in when I got home. The curved edges are because I can’t get my sketchbook page to lie flat. I don’t think I’ve got the colours right, but I have only got a limited range of colours in the set of felt pens I’m using.

A large tree has fallen on the far bank of the Trent and Mersey canal opposite Westport Lake. Luckily it seems to have fallen sideways instead of across the canal. It doesn’t appear to have damaged any canal barges or cars on the access road behind it, although some of its branches are trailing in the canal. Seen on a walk today.

Digital doodled
Drawing a tree
Or a man?
Mark making fun
Ideas on screen
Thinking allowed
With colours
And patterns
Experience experiment

Today’s #bandofsketchers prompt was factory. This is the view from our window across the road to the factory. They have trees and plants in front of it to screen it a bit. The tree is covered by ivy at the moment but the buds are already showing ready for spring.

We bought this tree about 25 years ago as a sapling from Plymouth and planted it in our garden. It is now as tall as our house but as the garden slopes you could probably add another five or six foot to its growth. Since it was quite young it has produced walnuts which the local squirrels collect and store over winter. That has resulted in some unwanted saplings which we have dug up and given away. Walnuts don’t do well if their branches are cut. The sap tends to flow freely and can cause the tree to bleed sap. This can also allow infections which can damage the trees. Walnut wood is apparently very good for carpentry, but I intend to leave well alone. If it can get that big in twenty five years how big will it get in fifty…


Capturing tree abstract ideas today. I saw a wonderful silhouetted tree on my slow, short walk this afternoon. Looking at the world is important. You have a chance to see things that you wouldn’t if you just stay home. But getting out is not always simple.
Life can get in the way. My knees ache now. But I’m glad we went. The air was clear and cold. I enjoyed walking and Ben managed a short bit of uphill walking.

Hanging willow
Dragging your leaves
Down into the water.
A fringe of twigs
Shimmer and shake
Reflected in the waters
Sheltering the birds
Lake land tree
Hiding them from predators…
Giving them a home….