The Homesick Willow by Koldo Barroso, 2008
This is a story about a man who was stuck between two worlds and his heart could never be fulfilled. It’s the story of an English poet who became bored of his monotonous life and his comfortable little world. So he dreamed of running away, become a sailor and sailing the four corners of the world. And he dreamed he was a Pharaoh and knew the secrets of ancient Egypt. And he wondered how it would be to be a lark and fly far away in the summers. And then , one day while having a walk in the woods, he wished one he was a tall willow tree. But what he didn’t notice is that when making his wish he was standing inside of a magic fairy circle of mushrooms. And everyone knows that when you make a wish inside of a magic fairy circle your wishes come true! So he truly became a tall willow tree.
The years passed by and the willow started feeling homesick. Day after day from a lonely hill watching his wife and children growing old. He felt helpless for not been able to say a kind word of consolation to his loved ones, who kept wondering if he was dead or alive for all these years. He felt like the loneliest tree in the world and he cried like only a human being can. And of course, you know, every magic spell has an antidote and his was to cry non stop until recovering his original human shape. But the homesick willow never did so. As soon as he’d recover part of his human shape he would start missing again the feeling of being a tree. Then he would stop crying and would return to his arbor-like condition. He was trapped between two worlds.
The rest of the story I won’t unveil yet. I got the inspiration for this short story from a poem by Pete Sinfield:
“Still, I wonder how it is to be a tree,
Circled servant to the seasons,
Only drink on sky and rake the winter wind
And need no seal of reasons?”
I also got inspired by the walks in my new location, Bellingham. The beautiful tall trees and nice houses all around my new neighborhood. I’ve always wanted to live in a place like this. So I decided to make a drawing with two things that are often in my mind lately: trees and houses. And, this is it!
Here is an enlarged excerpt of the image so you can see it in detail. Hope you like it!
By the way, I know this is unreled with my illustration but tonight was a beautiful moment to live in the US, seeing the ilusion for better times for so many people. And this happened in the very day I got my Green Card in the mail!
You may see a large version of “The Homesick willow” at the portfolio.
Posted in: Blog
Oh, I love it! I have a real affinity for Grandfather trees and truly the Homesick Willow is one…perhaps a tree hugger will find him and dry his tears or one day the two worlds will merge into one…anything is possible (especially tonight!) and I can’t wait to hear what happens. Oh…and I really love the details, you totally caught essence of tree!
Sue
KOLDO MAESTRO!!!si sos un capo de las ilustraciones que más se puede decir, realmente quedé fascinada de la historia del Sauce Llorón, esos árboles tan mágicos donde sus hojas caen como lágrimas, ahora puedo darme cuenta de todo lo q encierra!!felciitaciones x la GreenCArd !! un besote
Koldo, this was so moving to me, both because it’s a beautiful story & stunning illustration, & because of a personal connection. My grandmother is dying & we have made plans to plant a weeping willow over her grave. I hope it will be a connection between our two worlds. Somehow I think she would be at home in the tree world…
Thanks Sue! A tree hugger would be a nice thing, you know how it goes Lenon’s song… “Every willow has a tree huger who loves him”
¡Gracias! ¿No dicen que cada maestrillo tiene su librillo? Pues el mío es aprender y aprender de cada momento y de gente como tú
Thanks Leah! Thanks you so much for sharing this with me. That was a beautiful thought about planting that willow and I’m sure your grandma will be so happy about it. I’m sure the willow will get sure that she gets your message of love.
Thanks for your kind words about my grandmother. She slipped away quietly to her next world yesterday.
Also thanks for commenting on the interview. About the Bosch, I haven’t seen that one, alas, but I was lucky enough to see a show in Vienna a few years ago with other Bosch works, & it was indeed breathtaking. I can only imagine what it must be to see the Garden! The reproduction alone has kept me fascinated for many years.
Leah, I send you my best thoughts for your grandma. I’ll tell mine to give her a good hug wherever they are ’cause they both must know how it is to be an artist grandkid
Koldo, lovely illustration, and sad, sad story! It is tragic when we cannot be happy with what we have, and think that only those things that we don’t have will somehow make us happy…
I’m glad you are enjoying Bellingham. Congrats on your green card.
Thanks Tara! Yes, it’s sad but I promise you it has a happy ending
Uffff, Koldo, es genial. ¡Enhorabuena! Preciosa.
Un abrazo desde el otro lado del Atlántico.
Gracias, gracias, y un abrazo, Maese Muñiz!
Hey Koldo, thanks for your comment on my vinyl venture! This was just a one-off. It would be fun to have one produced someday, though!
Koldo,
Thank you for your kind comment about my “Kitty” paper cut. It is appreciated!
I’m glad that this story has a happy ending! It is very hard for me to see a tree cry! : )
What do you think…wouldn’t Lady Zakhorova look lovely in a beautiful paper dress!?!
La Donna
Any lady in the world would look lovely in your amazing paper world!
May I ask…when will we hear the rest of this story!?!
La Donna
P. S. Thank you for your kind comment about my paper world! It is a wonderful place to “be”! : )
La Donna: I’m sending postcards of this illustration to editors so who knows if any of them will be interested on it
Thanks again!
Muy bonito Koldo, tanto el dibujo como el texto. Me encantan esas combinaciones de verdes y grises. Ahora entiendo lo del sauce llorón… Por cierto, que ya sabes que aquí en el norte no tenemos muchos problemas con las setas mágicas, porque lo único que deseamos cuando las vemos es zampárnoslas en revuelto o a la plancha
¡Gracias Iban! Ya, ya… robellones, niscalos, setas de cardo, boletus… ñam ñam
Preciosa ilustración, una de esas que son en si mismas un poema visual. Me encanto nada más verla en el coso así que pinche para verla mejor y me encuentro con tu maravillosa página. Me encanta tu web, está llena de magia. La visitaré a menudo.
¡Muchas gracias Jessie y bienvenida a mi pequeña morada!
¡Tus palabras sí que están llenas de magia!
you have to tell us how it ends! your world is fascinating:)
Thanks Mark! One of these days
I love the idea of being ‘stuck between two worlds’ and I think this image is extremely beautiful xx
Thank you so much! I think one way or the other we’ve all have felt this way in life but sometimes it’s good in order to grow up and decide what we really need to be happy and go for it.
Koldo, I am very impressed. I just checked out your website and the cards and illustrations are wonderful. I love the imagination and creativity. The willow made me sad, I’m glad that I’m going home for Christmas.
Thanks Kelly. I’ve got to do a “Homesick” playlist and post it in you site. But don’t forget this one in case of feeling sad: “Wherever I lay my hat that’s my home”