Continuing with the Theme of United Nations International Year of the Forests and feeling very inspired by the posts contributed to the January edition of Festival of the Trees, I have decided to wrap some of the trees in my back garden and let nature and time work their magic. This type of eco art is a game of patience. I have been very inspired by Martine's collaborative project and just had to give it a try.
Above, you can see a Sycamore wrapped in an old cotton sheet. I mordanted the sheet and wrapped the tree in it while it was still wet.
This Sycamore seemed a natural choice of tree to wrap. When I met this tree was tightly bound with ivy. I cut the ivy down, revealing deep grooves and notches where the ivy had constricted around the trunk. This species grows so quickly you can see the mischief that a simple washing line had caused this tree. I have hopes of interesting patterns and eco prints emerging from this wrap. Under some of the layers I placed leaves from what I think may be a Rhododendron at the bottom of the garden.
Above, you can see a Sycamore wrapped in an old cotton sheet. I mordanted the sheet and wrapped the tree in it while it was still wet.
This Sycamore seemed a natural choice of tree to wrap. When I met this tree was tightly bound with ivy. I cut the ivy down, revealing deep grooves and notches where the ivy had constricted around the trunk. This species grows so quickly you can see the mischief that a simple washing line had caused this tree. I have hopes of interesting patterns and eco prints emerging from this wrap. Under some of the layers I placed leaves from what I think may be a Rhododendron at the bottom of the garden.
I also wrapped two Holly trees that are growing out of the dry stone wall at the edge of my veg patch. When I first moved here we also removed ivy that had wound like rope as thick as your arm all the way up the tree and the crown was being suffocated. Despite our efforts there is evidence that the ivy is taking a hold once more. I have wrapped some of the Holly and the Ivy between the layers of the cotton on these trees. Holly is very sappy and I expect that the wrappers will be explored by many insects. Who knows what patterns or colouration will be born from these trees.
Lastly, I wrapped an Elder covered in moss and Lichens.
It will be interesting to see how the passing seasons will decorate these cottons. Will they weave as much intrigue and character into my cotton as she did to the bark of the trees? I wonder what the different species will offer?
Patience!
