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Wednesday, May 04, 2011

The 400 year old Mulberry Tree, Lenses Abbey, mixed media, 8" x 10", 2011

There's something that fascinates me about trees and sometimes I can't really explain what makes me love them. Maybe one of the reasons could be the animated features of the trunks and branches, especially the ones of those that are very old and have stood the storms and winds of life.

This particular tree stands in front of the Lenses Abbey in Abbey Wood and some photographers reckon it was planted 400 years ago by King James I, men. You can't really appreciate this tree in the summer but in the winter it's leaves are all gone and it's grand old beauty shows.




The 400 year old Mulberry Tree, Lenses Abbey, 10" x 8", Mixed Media, 2011



This piece was done mainly with gouache with additions of watercolour and coloured pencils.

Special Quote
"Everything in creation has its appointed painter or poet and remains in bondage like the princess in the fairy tale 'til its appropriate liberator comes to set it free." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
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22 comments:

  1. David-Glen Smith5/04/2011 5:21 pm

    I agree. A beauty exists in the arthritic nature of an old tree.

    Love the image you generated.

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  2. Unknown5/04/2011 5:40 pm

    Looks great and I love the color palette for this piece! Was this painted on an over cast day?

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  3. Stephanie Berry5/04/2011 7:27 pm

    Wonderful--I love trees too and find many stand alone well like this one. Beautiful.

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  4. adebanji5/04/2011 7:52 pm

    Thanks Glen!

    Thanks Tim, I worked this one from a photo taken on an overcast day. I tried to introduce some exaggerated colours to spice it up though.

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  5. adebanji5/04/2011 7:56 pm

    Thanks Stephanie!

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  6. Unknown5/04/2011 10:42 pm

    Fabulous piece! I love old trees too. The more knarled and crooked they are, the older and wiser they must be.

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  7. adebanji5/05/2011 2:45 am

    Thanks Michael!

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  8. patmosphere5/05/2011 6:10 am

    Hurrah - gouache shines again! A lovely painting. Thanks Adebanji.

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  9. Valérie Pirlot5/05/2011 7:29 am

    Lovely painting. Beautiful quote too - you can then say that this tree waited 400 years for you to paint it to be free! :-)

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  10. Unknown5/05/2011 7:38 am

    Powerful and beautiful. This piece has such a sombre thoughtful feel to it. Nice!

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  11. adebanji5/05/2011 8:48 am

    Thanks Patmosphere, you are not the only one that likes gouache!

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  12. adebanji5/05/2011 8:53 am

    Thanks Valerie! You are spot on!

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  13. adebanji5/05/2011 8:59 am

    Thanks Sheona!

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  14. PleinEric5/07/2011 2:19 am

    Seeing your painting made my day. Absolutely beautiful!

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  15. Jane Hunt5/07/2011 10:21 pm

    Gorgeous - it's fun to see you tackle such a different subject!

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  16. Vern Schwarz5/10/2011 3:34 pm

    After 400 years this tree has evolved with beautiful sculptural qualities.
    Great portrait.

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  17. V. Deshmukh5/11/2011 6:58 am

    Very colourful and beautifuly done! This is so unlike your normal style (and that style is great too!). Really really beautiful.
    You are equally dexterous with acrylics, gouache and watercolours. Just amazing.
    Thanks for sharing.

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  18. ky cheah5/14/2011 11:38 am

    Beautiful painting.

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  19. dominique eichi5/16/2011 5:37 am

    My love of trees is similar I suspect it comes from "the tree of life". Yours here is brilliantly done and is a great representation of it.

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  20. FasiArts5/16/2011 7:43 pm

    wonderful piece.

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  21. adebanji5/16/2011 11:43 pm

    Thanks PlenEric, Jane, Vern, Vinayak, Ky Cheah, Dominique and FasiArt!

    Dominique-I love that bit on the Tree of Life!
    Plein Eric-I am happy my painting could make your day!

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  22. Anonymous5/30/2011 8:28 pm

    Great piece of work, and I love the subject.

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