Tuesday 14 September 2010

pinecones, revisited

A couple of months ago on an early morning walk I spotted some tree surgeons felling some pine trees, not far from my house. The branches were laden with large semi-ripe and green pinecones, which I was eager to gather. After a word with the tree surgeons, they let me through the boundary tape, and I filled my bags to the brim. Typically, since then the pinecones have sat on the floor right where I dumped them (it's fatal having a 'junk' room), while time ticked by and I vaguely thought about what I might do with them. Some will certainly make lovely large firelighters, and probably be given away as presents. Some have opened out in the warmer inside environment, while others are still firmly closed.

These were the ones that I picked out. I scrubbed and dried them, and then painted them with white liquid acrylic ink which is semi-transparent. Last time, I painted small cones on the inside. This time, I wanted to define the outside of the cones before bringing them into the warmth of my sunny little conservatory, where the heat of the sun has caused them to crackle and open out.


They have a beautiful sculptural quality, and I love their shape. I think all these cones are from the Monterey Pine as they're squat and lop-sided (and very common trees round the coast of Cornwall).

18 comments:

silverpebble said...

They are completely beautiful - painting them like this has highlighted their amazing shape and design.

willow said...

I remember doing this for Christmas decorations when I was little. We kept the cones outside so that they would be tightly closed, painted them and brought them into the warmth of the house to open. We used to use brightly coloured poster paints but now I would definitely prefer your white ones.

Simone said...

I love the two tone effect of the cone. x

Kathy said...

They're so pretty and so simple. Hmm! Just need to get some pinecones now!
Love Kathy x

Fiona said...

What a lovely effect. I'm off down the garden tomorrow to see what's there.

Reading Tea Leaves said...

Your cones look almost like shells Diana - I love the way the white ink has split as the cones have opened in the warmth.

Jeanne
x

dragonfly said...

Simply stunning.

blue china studio happy said...

absolutely gorgeous. I have a whole bag of them too and I'm going to do this to some. Can't wait!

Jackie said...

Thats such a lovely idea and gives them another dimension.

Pipany said...

Hello missus! Your photographs are gorgeous Diana. This would be a lovely project for the girls to do on a wet day. Must make some firelighters too as the ones you gave us for Christmas last year gave of such beautiful flames. Email on its way to you my lovely xx

...Nina Nixon... said...

They are indeed very, very beautiful and the washed out colour really makes them stand out. Hope that made sense?

Nina xx

Marigold Jam said...

Lovely - aren't they amazing in shape and design and painting them accentuates their beauty.

Jane

Ali said...

Gosh, I can't believe how effectively that highlights their beauty.

dottycookie said...

Oh my goodness, those are breathtakingly lovely.

Just Original said...

Love what you have done with the cones, the contrast in colour is great.

I may have ago at firelighters this year!

Vanessa x

Purrfect Haven said...

nature is pretty amazing isn't it - good for you that you spot its 'art'. Helen www.happinesskindled.blogspot.com

kristina said...

Oh they're simply beautiful. K x

The Curious Cat said...

Gorgeous photos! And I love the bunting too! xxx