A good friend commissioned me to paint a family tree for her parents golden wedding anniversary. We had a good chat about what she wanted, and she had sketched out her ideas.
I wanted some inspiration to create something really unique. I visited one of our Fair Trade suppliers in Richmond, they are based in a unit within the grounds of a huge London town house. We walked through the long lawned gardens of the house and went through a little gate in the wall to go out for lunch (the first time I have been out for Polish food - it was fabulous!) There is a huge blossom tree in the centre of the garden, which actually reaches the entire width and into the adjacent garden. I took a few pictures and was able to base my family tree on this beauty! Rumour has it, The Archers was originally thought up in this very garden.
I wanted some inspiration to create something really unique. I visited one of our Fair Trade suppliers in Richmond, they are based in a unit within the grounds of a huge London town house. We walked through the long lawned gardens of the house and went through a little gate in the wall to go out for lunch (the first time I have been out for Polish food - it was fabulous!) There is a huge blossom tree in the centre of the garden, which actually reaches the entire width and into the adjacent garden. I took a few pictures and was able to base my family tree on this beauty! Rumour has it, The Archers was originally thought up in this very garden. |
| The Blossom Tree & Me |
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| Started with washes of colour to create depth, and then began to create the deep roots and knots in the trunk |
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| Began to create the blossom using a very pale pink to pick out flowers, & a grey blue for shadowed areas creating form. |
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| Began work on the trunk, which became 'blues' sometimes these things are not planned... and they take me by surprise! I love it when that happens - I am sure the paintbrush takes over sometimes. |
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| Detail showing the family names 'carved' into the branches |
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| Faith, hope & love carved into the roots of the tree |
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| Almost finished... but suddenly felt the background wash tones didn't quite work... |
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| Complete. Very happy with this piece, and happy to find out the recipients were very pleased, and had never seen a Family Tree like this one... ! |
