1st U.S. Bonsai Exhibition Album is on its Way!

Commemorative Album, 1st U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition, 2008 I just received my advance copy of this much awaited book, and I’m almost speechless. Well, for me almost speechless might be a stretch, but I am very excited. And very, very impressed. Everything about this new book is spot on, including the undeniable proof it provides that American bonsai can take its place on the world bonsai stage. My hat is way off (balding head glowing with excitement) to Bill Valavanis and everyone else involved. Our shipment of Albums is due in early June. Meanwhile, you can visit our website to … Continue reading 1st U.S. Bonsai Exhibition Album is on its Way!

Bonsai & You (tube): Mixed Gallery

This is a collection of images that someone put together. I recognized several trees, including at least one Kimura (The Magician), one Morten Albek (author of Shohin Bonsai), and one Wolfgang Putz. Overall the quality is very good, though a few fairly ordinary trees found their way in.

Spanish Chainsaw Massacre

If you haven’t seen the Magician wielding a chainsaw, check this out. It’s from a 2007 bonsai convention at Mistral Bonsai in the Spanish province of Tarragona (I was there, but that’s another story). Kimura’s assistant is Salvatore Liporace, a well know Italian bonsai artist and author of several Bonsai Today articles. When Masahiko Kimura introduced his custom made chainsaw into the bonsai world, it created a buzz that was heard first in the Japanese bonsai community and then throughout the world (well, world bonsai community).

In Search of the Perfect Nebari – part five

This post is a continuation of In Search of the Perfect Nebari – part four. From the bottom…. …and the top. After combing out and pruning the roots, there are still a few things to do before potting.

Bon-Tat: a Pleasant Surprise

Okay. You can lower your eyebrow. All I did was type in ‘bonsai branching’ on Google. I’ve thought about taking the tatoo plunge, but, like most thoughts, it doesn’t go anywhere. How about you? Anyone got a bon-tat out there? BTW: to see more of the host…

Bonsai from Nursery Stock – part three

This sweet little juniper… …came from this somewhat scraggly nursery stock. The artist is Simon Carr. The photo was originally submitted to artofbonsai.org and later appeared in Bonsai Today 103 in a Green Workshop article entitled Instant Bonsai.

Pacific Rim

The two bonsai in this post, including this remarkable Korean Yew (Taxus cuspidata), are from Weyerhaeuser’s Pacific Rim Bonsai Collection. The photos were sent to us by David De Groot, the collection’s curator. This famous Chinese elm (Ulmus parivflora) planting is by Qingquan Zhao, reknowned penjing artist, teacher and author of Penjing: Worlds of Wonderment.

In Search of the Perfect Nebari – part four

Bottoms up! This somewhat intriguing shot is from Bonsai Today, issue 64. This post, and another to follow soon, explore how Mr. Harumi Miau arrived at this point. Before. Japanese maple (Acer plamatum) with some unsolicited bonus design tips.

Pacific Rim Bonsai Collection Now Open to the Public

Note: much has changed since we originally posted this. The Pacific Rim Collection is now open the the public and has been for a long time (posted 12/10/2012). The following bit of sobering hard times news is from Weyerhaeuser’s Website. Weyerhaeuser Announces Closure of Pacific Rim Bonsai Collection Federal Way, Wash. (March 4, 2009) — Weyerhaeuser Company announced today that it will indefinitely close to the public the Pacific Rim Bonsai Collection, located at its corporate headquarters in Federal Way, Washington, effective April 2.

Bonsai from Nursery Stock – part two

This Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus compactus) is from Reiner Goebel’s bonsai gallery on his beautifully designed website. The tree started out as very ordinary looking nursery plant (see below) in 1998. BTW: if you want to set up your own back yard bonsai display and are looking for inspiration, take a look at Reiner’s back yard. Judging by the photos, it looks like one of the best home displays I’ve seen. And while you’re there, check out Reiner’s, and two guests,’ very sweet bonsai galleries. Though Reiner had already done some pruning and wiring by the time he took this … Continue reading Bonsai from Nursery Stock – part two