These benches at the University of Durham Botanic Garden reminded me of old paintings of beautiful ladies in historic gowns walking with their beaux in the park!
In the above photo the plant looks as if it is swooning on the arm of the handsome bench.
I've called this one 'Entwined'.
The plant above looks a little shy.
This one is 'Double Dalliance'!
But the last bench looks a little 'nettled' - must have had an argument!
'Bench of the Week' was started by RuneE of Visual Norway. Other participants include Barbara Martin, PERBS, Malyss, Ackworth Born , Your EG Tour Guide and Dina - do visit their blogs to see their Bench of the Week on Fridays.
Ingrid Sylvestre artist in Durham, Durham artist
47 comments:
You do have a creative mind! I would've never had that image in my mind until you mentioned it. Now I can really see the gentleman with his "arm candy" taking a stroll through the park.
Oh wow! Those benches are lovely without the beautiful flowers!!!!!! I especially love the curved back one BUT then, I like the oval cutout int he abck slats on the straight across back ones too!!!!!!! Those flowers make the benches look so elegant . . . I wonder if people actually sit there or if they just make the garden look extra special? I think that last one is pretty sneaky with the plants growing through the slats. You done good this week!
I have my Friday post up now -- please come back and see it.
I like the humour in this post. The romantic context of bench and flowers were very fitting and made for delightful context.
How you doing.
The begonia and others really soften the edges.
I hope some silly sort doesn't crush them with their arms.
Nice bench!
Catherine, maybe they all go for a stroll round the gardens after closing time!
PERBS, people do actually sit on these benches - they are close to the cafe and nice to take one's ice cream or cup of tea to. The last one is in a far area of the garden and probably not used - at least not at present with the nettles there!
Thank you RuneE! There is a kind of historic/romantic feel to to this area of the garden.
Rob, I'm sure the flowers will be well respected by all visitors!
These benches look comfortable. I bet they are well used by visitors to the garden.
There you are, Phoenix C.! Have missed your posts..wondered if you'd been engulfed in new art project...? I like the first bench most with it's warm dark wood and BAM! in your face blooms...
Lynn
What an imaginative way to see the plants mingling with the benches. It's nice that whoever maintains the gardens allows the plants to wrap around the furniture a bit as it looks so charming.
They are very comfortable, EG Tour Guide, and well-used!
Hi Lynn - I have been engulfed in several art projects, and outdoor activities too!
The blooms on the first bench do stand out in a Rembrandtish way against the dark wood!
Diane AZ - I like that too, the Botanic Gardens are beautifully designed in a way that makes the plantings look natural and graceful.
Hi. I missed your blog while you were away. These are delightfully subtle anthropomorphisms. A real sense of lightness radiates through these images.
I do love the interplay of plants and benches. Is 'Double Dalliance' a (she asks haltingly) camellia?
Perfect post on benches with a touch of story, Phoenix.
Ha, fun how that commentary came to your mind!
Your pictures look so romantic! I like the grey color of the benches,of the wood that lived outside, and the contrast with the strong colors of the flowers.Full of charm!
Thank you so much Prospero! I'm really pleased - I do like to communicate the lightness I see and feel.
I've always been fascinated by the use of garden furniture and hard landscaping with plants, Monica. 'Double Dalliance' is me trying to be witty!! It would be a great name for a Camellia!
Thank you Barbara, much appreciated!
Dina, thank you. There are lots more 'arm candy' benches at the Garden too - great to stroll around spotting them!
Thank you Malyss! I love the idea of the wood that lived outside - it makes me look at the benches anew!
Beautiful shots !!Fantastic place..This is so lovely..Thanks for sharing..Unseen Rajasthan
Thank you Unseen Rajasthan!
Thanks for this lovely photo story of pretty ladies and sturdy lads - err, benches. Just the perfect read after a work-weekend.
And good luck investigating your dirty dishes for ghostly shapes. Please share if you find them. Maybe we can make that a new weekly theme :)))
That would be fun, Bim - and would liven up the washing up! (Although those with dish-washers would miss out!)
Wanted to let you know how much I'm enjoying your posts. You're inspiring me to look with new eyes on the benches I encounter! Cheers, Alice
Thank you Alice. I'm always glad to inspire! It's amazing how many benches I notice since taking part in Bench of the Week!
Well now I am going to be looking at benches in a different way!
Such beautiful pictures!
Do you spend some time sitting on them after you take the photos?
I know I could just sit there all afternoon with a good book, or perhaps a sketchpad! Lovely! :)
Thank you Lisannerosalie! I do sit on the benches when there is time - to eat my lunch, or do some sketching! Or just gaze at the lovely surroundings.
I love that plant 'swooning' on the bench.
What a peaceful post - visiting your blog could lower blood pressure.
Thank you Pondside! What a lovely compliment!
How great to see flowers and leaves beginning to embrace the benches - usually somebody would get a pair of secateurs to them long before this occurs ! I wonder what the collective noun might be for a group of benches ? :) You certainly have a fair few fine specimens in Durham.
That would be a fun task for the Bench of the Week participants, Anna - to come up with some collective nouns for a group of benches! :)
I loved the benches, and beautiful the blossoms were! What romance. Smiles.
Thank you Unseen Rajasthan!
Red Clover, thank you - they do have a romantic atmosphere don't they!
Here I thought I'd missed your posts, and you've snuck off into the forest to have some quiet time.
What a great idea Barbara - the trees are just starting to turn goldy here!
Will post soon - I've been on another artistic planet :)
Joining the chorus of ahhhs. Great bench setting. My favorites this week.
Thank you Annie! Much appreciated.
I enjoyed your presentation of these fine benches.
Thank you Dimple, glad you liked them!
I'm loving this whole 'bench of the week' thing and it's really quite inspired me to find the 'right' bench for in my Japanese garden ..... rather than just plonking any old bench in there! :)
Glad you're inspired, Nutty Gnome! I'll be interested to see which bench you choose for your Japanese garden.
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