Tags
art, bird cherry, botanical, Ceri Richards, cherry tree, drawing, Dylan Thomas, Gardens, photography, poetry, Spring, The Force That Through the Green Fuse Drives the Flower, trees, Waterlow Park
The force that through the green fuse drives the flower
Drives my green age; that blasts the roots of trees
Is my destroyer.
(From The Force That Through the Green Fuse Drives the Flower by Dylan Thomas)
Painting by Ceri Richards illustrating the poem
The photograph at the top of the page and those in this gallery are of the bird cherry, a native tree in the north of England and Scotland which has been planted in the south, particularly in parks. These bucolic looking examples are in London, adjacent to the Northern Line of the Underground, in the appropriately named Cherry Tree Woods.
Another specimen I found in Waterlow Park inspired me to do a series of sketches investigating it in different ways. These were done in summer rather than spring. How will it seem this year? Shall I go back or move on?
dianajhale 
I’ve never heard of the bird cherry, but from your link I see that it’s in the genus Prunus. Probably the most common species of that genus in central Texas, where I live, is Prunus mexicana, which can be quite showy:
And yes, it’s always good to be reminded of that Dylan Thomas poem.
Thanks for the comparison Steve, glad you enjoyed the Dylan Thomas too.
Ah, how lovely to see some Diana sketches, again. I enjoy clicking on each one and then looking at one after another. Although my view is only from your blog, I really have come to recognize a Diana J. Hale, of that I am quite certain. Did you go back?
KM
Love the sketches… Reminds me how much I want to find the time to pick up a pencil or paint brush again. Not that I can draw or paint with such beauty as you give the artform, but just simply as a way of connecting in with whatever tree or flower I am drawing. I get that sense of connection, of time spent being deeply with the subject, from your work, and that makes me want to create the spaces in my day to enjoy those same moments of connection…..
Thank you Amanda, for that encouraging response – if something comes across of my own connection with what I do I am pleased.
Great set of paintings and photos. I really enjoyed them. Thanks. Malc
Your painted and drawn approaches are lovely, Diana. So many different interpretations of the subject. They sit well with the last photograph in particular. A light touch!
Love your sketches. Love the poem.
Michael Keane
Thank you kindly!
Hi Diana. I love your watercolors, especially the first (the largest with the green triangles), third and fifth (clockwise) … they almost look like stained glass. Jane
This is absolutely my favorite time of the year, even if every season has its moments. Nice post, Diana.
Me too! Thanks for enjoying.
That’s my favourite Ceri Richards painting. It’s such an amazing poem too. It’s great that finally we can see the sap rising after such a cold winter
Good to find another fan. I saw your exhibition at the Barbican Library the other day and can see why you would like the Ceri Richards – very neo romantic!