AusBonsai

I loved the trunk and the size of this olive bonsai even tho the foliage had gotten somewhat out of control, unless halos of leaves are your thing. At my third offer the owner parted company with it and I flexed my sidecutters.
I removed or shortened most of the branches, leaving only the mains [most of them at any rate]
Next, or somewhere in between, came trunk carving and this took over a year with session after session until I felt I had achieved the carving I envisaged for this tree.
This tree takes a dreadful photograph. If it looked as bad as this in person I would start restyling. But it works when you see if face to leaf where it simply faults out in a photo. I have had a few trees like this and this is another one. But the branch placement is good and it does have back branches and the top left is not too long, photo to the contrary. I am working on the apex which needs just a bit more. And YES, it is a Mirkwood pot. I love this finish... I call it the 'olive' finish because it suits olives so very well. And the pot is as 'quiet' as is the tree... neither scream for attention with dramatic features but I find there is an agelessness to this setting and it is one of my favourite bonsai.

Nice Remake Melaquin. I like the carving. Would be interested on how you refine the apex.

Peter

I really like this one Lee. Only 3 offers and it was yours!
Where do you get your inspiration from for your carving?
Regards,
Steven

Refine the apex by getting more growth so I can work with a bit more material. The original one decided to die.

The carving had to eliminate some ugly issues with the cut off trunk at the top and large branch scars at the front and back. And when I am behind the Dremel it keeps going and going and going. Stopping is the hard part. But it was necessary to lighten the upper trunk and once I started carving the mid section I had to enlarge that to get light in from behind to show the carving. A little light led to more light. This is why it took so long to carve. I needed time to look and think and feel for my next move as I didn't want to screw this up.

The third offer was a bit high to persuade the owner to let it go. But it was cheaper than several osteo sessions had I tried to dig up similar, not to mention travel costs to get to it. In the time I have had the tree it has surpassed its purchase price but it is hard to get such a solid tree so small. It is probably just about 30cm - plus or minus.

A really nice olive tree you have there. The carving has definitely made the tree look a lot older. Can't wait to dig some more up here come winter

Oh yeah buddy, I cant wait for a shot at some more hawthorns as well.....

You coming to Glennis Beb Demo in march?

beautiful work lee love it!

one of the things i love is to see one of your olives, and you with a dremel in your hand

love the tree too

Love the carving, gives more effective taper now.

How's it coming along?

Anja wrote:Love the carving, gives more effective taper now.

How's it coming along?

agree with anja.

nice tree. nice remake.