Tuesday 20 October 2009

Hippophae Sunset

Working all round the clock on artistic exploits has meant that although I haven't had time for blogging recently my awareness of the beauty of our world has been heightened.

Rhythm, texture, light and shade at this time of year is so exultantly inspiring. My hippophae rhamnoides has always fascinated me with its salix-like foliage. It seems to dance before the sunset sky.

If I had time I would love to make a textile embroidery/collage of the wonderful layers of hippophae, dark trees and the glowing sky.


Or an illuminated manuscript illustration with gold and silver leaf ... My mundane garden wall could be a medieval castle parapet!


This could be an expressionistic stained glass dome over a magnificent conservatory ...
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Or a small shrub in a tub!
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(You can see the hippophae in bud from earlier this year here. )

38 comments:

Diane AZ said...

Your hippophae does look magical against the exquisite tree and sky colors. The last image is just breathtaking!

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you Diane! My hippophae is one of my favourite plants and a constant source of inspiration.

Prospero said...

It's so nice to hear from you again. I hope you've been keeping well. I know that you are always busy with your work, but it's still a pleasure to chat occasionally. The colors in the second shot are extraordinary - they require an artist's eye.

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

I'm glad to see you back. I'd wondered if maybe I had missed a post. Your pictures are very pretty. The sky almost looks unreal, such pretty colors. I like your idea of the stained glass dome for a conservatory!

XoXo said...

Mindfullness makes us aware of the things around us...glad you're blogging back, welcome again.

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you Prospero. It's nice to be missed!

I was pleased with the colours on these - the flash on the camera illuminated the hippophae on some of the shots, which portrayed the golden effect that I saw as I came down the hill.

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you Catherine - my projects are a little less time-consuming now, so I should be around in the blogosphere again!

The sky was amazing - and I was pleased that it came out as it was with no need of adjustments.

Phoenix C. said...

Pacey, thank you! It is one of my aims to be mindful of the beauty around me no matter how busy I am - the seasons change so quickly.

PERBS said...

What a neat plant! I especially love that last photo -- gorgeous colors!!!!!!!

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you PERBS - we have had some out-of-this-world sunsets recently.

alaine@éclectique said...

Great shots; I'm glad that I finally got No. 2 to open for me!!! I really like your soft landscapes; very different stuff.

Thanks for visiting me too!

Dimple said...

I like the similar shapes layered in the second shot, that the hippophae is bright against the trees. Beautiful!
Thanks for the visit!

EJ said...

Oh I love that fiery sunset reflection!

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you Alaine! I love to express the effects the landscape has on me.

Phoenix C. said...

Dimple, thank you - I'm always amazed at the layering and composition in landscape - it's as if they are just waiting to be painted or photographed!

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you Joops - we've had lots of fiery sunsets round here recently which are so inspiring.

lynn'sgarden said...

PC...these sky shots are amazing! Great you've been busy with work but you've been missed! I thought of you while clicking away at a beautiful benchscape the other day ;)
Lynn

Phoenix C. said...

Lynn - thank you, and it's nice to be missed! A beautiful benchscape? Look forward to seeing this on your blog!

Anna said...

Glad to see you posting again. Beautiful photos - the hippophae in the top photo looks as if it is dancing in the night sky :P)

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you Anna! I often think trees and other plants look as if they are dancing ... maybe they are!

karen said...

Thank you for stopping by Maggie's garden. It has given me the opportunity to come and enjoy your blog. It's great! Love your photos and I got a kick out of arm candy for the benches. What a hoot! Your art work is outstanding!
Cheers!

Barbara Martin said...

Nice to see you back, and with such lovely photos!!! I love the touch of pink to the skies.

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you Maggie's garden - I'm really pleased you like my blog and art work!

Phoenix C. said...

Barbara, thank you. The colours in the sky were so vivid and breathtaking.

PERBS said...

Is that a bench in your header?

Phoenix C. said...

It certainly is, PERBS, well spotted! And, time permitting, I'm intending to talk about it in my Bench of the Week post on Friday ...

EG CameraGirl said...

The photos are beautiful indeed!

Gunilla said...

Fantastic photos. I love them all.

Thanks for visiting me too
Have a great weekend

Gunilla in Sweden

solange foix said...

Beautiful blog, your pictures are so great
Love and light
solange

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you EG Tour Guide, I'm pleased that you like them.

Phoenix C. said...

Gunilla, thank you! Wishing you a lovely weekend also.

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you Solange and welcome!

Rune Eide said...

Comment on the header: Applause!! :-)

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you RuneE - much appreciated! :)

PERBS said...

Well, I came back to hear about the bench today but nothing new. . . darn! Drop by and see my double bench with the circular iron arms. I hope you will still tell us more about the bench in your header . . . I will be back!

Phoenix C. said...

I'd better get on and write the post, PERBS! Must have a cup of tea first, though ... :)

Monica the Garden Faerie said...

Love the color contrasts of the sky, sunset, and foliage. Wonderful. And glad you're busy with wonderful art projects!

Phoenix C. said...

Thank you Monica! I'm still busy - paintbrush in one hand, sandwich in the other- (sometimes get them mixed up) - wish I could blog at the same time too!