Press Reviews

A review for my novel in the English language press in Spain

Round Town News

YouTube clip

Here is the YouTube clip for my novel 'Nemesis in Spain'

http://youtu.be/LcUFZyh_wAA

Winter is coming

New painting which I will probably use as a Christmas card.

The Lonely Pine

My latest painting, acrylics on canvas 73 x 54cm

Now on Sale - Nemesis in Spain

Young Mao

Finally finished my fun painting of young Mao. The calligraphy says 'Revolutionary Opera is Good' taken from the little Red Book.

Basque Country: Bilbao and the Guggenheim Museum - YouTube

Basque Country: Bilbao and the Guggenheim Museum - YouTube:

Fantastic visit to Bilbao, overwhelmed by the transformation from a post heavy-industrial city to a modern city of arts and culture.

Revised Cover

I have just received a revision to my novel cover. Which do you think is the best?

Art of Bonsai

A Detailed History of Bonsai

The first reference to what we now call Bonsai was in China during the Tang Dynasty (618-907), where they created miniature landscapes and trees that they called Penjing, which literally translated means tray scenery. The earliest documented proof of Bonsai was discovered in the tomb   of Prince Zhang Huai, who died in 706 during the Tang Dynasty, in China. 

Two wall paintings in the tomb show servants carrying plants resembling bonsai. In one of the paintings a servant is seen carrying a miniature landscape and in the other painting a servant is shown carrying a pot containing a tree. There are a great number of myths and legends surrounding Chinese bonsai, and the grotesque or animal-like trunks and root formations are still highly prized today. Chinese bonsai come from the landscape of the imagination and images of fiery dragons and coiled serpents take far greater precedence over images of trees- so the two forms of this art are quite far apart.

The art of creating miniature trees probably reached Japan during the Heian period (794-1191), during this time Japan sent envoys to China to study arts, architecture, language, literature, law and Buddhism. In so doing, the Japanese imported Chinese culture and arts on a large scale. Called Bonsai (tree in a pot or tray) in Japan, this art form was initially limited to the elite noble class and did not start to become popular until the Muromachi era in the 14th century, jointly prospering with the green tea ceremony to become part of Japanese culture

Bonsai were brought indoors for display at special times by the 'Japanese elite' and became an important part of Japanese life by being displayed on specially designed shelves. 

These complex plants were no longer permanently reserved for outdoor display, although the practices of training and pruning did not develop until later - the small trees at this time still being taken from the wild. In the 17th and 18th century, the Japanese arts reached their peak and were regarded very highly. Bonsai again evolved to a much higher understanding and refinement of nature - although the containers used seemed to be slightly deeper than those used today. The main factor in maintaining bonsai was now the removal of all but the most important parts of the plant. The reduction of everything just to the essential elements and ultimate refinement was very symbolic of the Japanese philosophy of this time - shown by the very simple Japanese gardens such as those in the famous temple - Roan-ji.

At around this time, bonsai also became commonplace to the general Japanese public - which greatly increased demand for the small trees collected from the wild and firmly established the art form within the culture and traditions of the country.

Over time, bonsai began to take on different styles, each which varied immensely from one another. Bonsai artists gradually looked into introducing other culturally important elements in their bonsai plantings such as rocks, and supplementary plants, and even small buildings and people which itself is known as the art of bon-kei. They also looked at reproducing miniature landscapes in nature - known as sai-kei, which further investigated the diverse range of artistic possibilities for bonsai.

Finally, in the mid-19th century, after more than 230 years of global isolation, Japan opened itself up to the rest of the world. Word soon spread from travellers who visited Japan of the miniature trees in ceramic containers, which mimicked aged mature, tall trees in nature. Further exhibitions in London, Vienna and Paris in the latter part of the century - especially the Paris World Exhibition opened the world's eyes up to bonsai.

Due to this phenomenal upsurge in the demand for bonsai, the now widely expanding industry and lack of naturally-forming, stunted plants led to the commercial production of bonsai by artists through training young plants to grow to look like bonsai. Several basic styles were adopted, and artists made use of wire, bamboo skewers and growing techniques to do this - allowing the art to evolve even further. The Japanese learnt to capitalize on the interest in this art form very quickly - opening up nurseries dedicated solely to grow, train and then export bonsai trees. Different plants were now being used to cater for worldwide climates and to produce neater foliage and more suitable growth habits. Bonsai techniques such as raising trees from seed or cuttings and the styling and grafting of unusual, different or tender material onto hardy rootstock were further developed.

Bonsai has now evolved to reflect changing tastes and times - with a great variety of countries, cultures and conditions in which it is now practiced. 

In Japan today, bonsai are highly regarded as a synbol of their culture and ideals. The New Year is not complete unless 'tokonoma' the special niche in every Japanese home used for the display of ornaments and prized possessions - is filled with a blossoming apricot or plum tree. Bonsai is no longer reserved for the upper class, but is a joy shared by executive and factory worker alike.

The Japanese tend to focus on using native species for their bonsai - namely pines, azaleas and maples (regarded as the traditional bonsai plants). In other countries however, people are more open to opinion.

The evolution of bonsai over the past two centuries is truly amazing - now a well known and respected horticultural art form that has spread throughout the world. It is constantly changing and reaching even greater heights, representative of how small the world is really getting. In Spain there are more than 50 bonsai clubs of which 23 are in Valencia Province.

Another hot day in Spain

It's still very hot here, but cooling a little at night, so I'm going to give my writing a rest and start some new painting projects. Having long been fascinated by Chairman Mao and the changes he unleashed on China, I am going to try painting a picture of him. This is the version of the young Mao which I will use as my inspiration. As my next novel is set mostly in Asia, this can set the mood.

Welcome to my Blog

This is my first blog. If you like a good thriller have a look at my first novel which will shortly be published.
www.nemesisnovels.com