Hinoki cypress composition

I have posted this tree before over the years. I was never quite satisfied with the look in the suiban as it was. I had another piece of stone just like the one that the tree is on. I broke it up and fashioned a "coastline" from the shards, using epoxy and a waterproof silicone sealant. I located some gravel that I thought was a good match with the stone. As I have mentioned in previous posts the Monterey Peninsula of California has been and continues to be the inspiration for this composition.
Tom

Works for me! Perhaps if you could find a red sandstone slab, or filled the entire tray with the gravel, it could work a little better. The calm water somehow doesn't fit the rest of the image for me.

Great to have another set of eyes....thanks, Jim, and I think your suggestion is a good one...too calm for the Pacific coast, maybe. Thank you.
Tom

TOM,, It looks great !! how in the world do yo keep hinoki looking that good ?? good job take care john

Small blue stones like smooth river rock would give the impression of water,but keep the ruggedness..

Tom,

remove the pebbles, replace it with very fine black sand, moss at the base of the "cliff".

regards,
jun

Thank you all for your input...I appreciate it....the blue stones and black sand sound like interesting options....not sure where I would procure either one (could you help in that regard?) John: the hinoki is definitely high maintenance, being planted as it is, but I enjoy it. Thanks.

Regards,
Tom

Tom . . . you might get both black and blue at a decent aquarium supply store.

I wonder if the blue stone were rough rather than smooth river rick -- perhaps one of the copper ores -- it might better represent the rough Pacific??????????? A rockhound shop may have something.

Jim...two great suggestions! I got the brown pebbles at an aquarium store....a little shiny, but not too much so. Their blue and black gravel (pebbles) were too shiny in my opinion. Your idea of copper ores is a real good one....I am a scientist and can't believe I did not think of it... rough chrysocolla (a copper aluminum silicate) might work. If I could locate some I could have it crushed in my laboratory to around the same size as the pebbles where the stone sits. Time to call one of my geologist friends :-) Please see the attached image of chrysocolla. What do you think of the color for the composition?

Thanks again.

Tom

What do you think of the color for the composition?

Perhaps a bit bright. Maybe something with a bit more matrix to tone it down?

Sorry, Jim...I sent you a refined piece of ore photo....here is an image of more like I was thinking...some rough chrysocolla. These pieces are about an inch or two across in size....after crushing, the colors may be more evident throughout the matrix.

Tom

Those might work!!!!

I've seen the lone cypress on the 16-mile drive and I can see where you are going with this composition. Nice work.

Thank you, Mr. Mason...those words mean a lot....I hope to visit that area someday. It is absolutely magnificent to me.

Regards,
Tom

I highly recommend visiting the Carmel/Monterey area. It's very beautiful with a great climate. Been in the Pebble Beach clubhouse, and would love to play there one day. I should mention it's 17-mile drive, I misstated earlier.

The latest in my experimentation with the composition...there is no tree in this one because I was not sure if it would work....I played around with positioning a small fan on the left side of the suiban....I like the effect, however, it would obviously be a problem if I ever decided to exhibit it. As always, I appreciate others thoughts.

Tom