Tennis Balls?
Anyone who attended Art in Action 2011 could not fail to be inspired by the wealth of creativity exhibited at the event. I was privileged to be in the Sculpture section representing the EBTS and duties involved attending lectures and demonstrations given by two of our professional members, Jake Hobson of Niwaki and James Crebbin-Bailey of Topiary Arts. Being a rather symmetrical and safe clipper, I decided it was time to put into action all I’d imbibed over the four days of lectures and demonstrations. Armed with a new shiny pair of Niwaki clippers I embarked upon giving some topiary balls ‘more movement and interest’ (a James quote). Most of my topiary plants are of the rescued kind, these Lonicera nitida being thus rescued about four years ago.
Stage 1: A light trim into a spherical shape
Stage 2: Place flexi tie in desired line
Stage 3: Begin to clip around the line
Stage 4: Remove guideline and continue to clip
The finished balls (rather resembling tennis balls perhaps inspired by my town, the home of the tennis ball cloth manufacture {and the first lawn mower – but that’s another story}).
I surmise, quite a brave move for a symmetrical ball or pyramid person but after all these are Lonicera nitida and they’ll need another haircut within two weeks I suspect!
Words & Pictures by Lynda Hinton
