A close up of wired branches on a Japanese black pine. From Bonsai Today magazine (I don’t remember which issue).
Time to Wire?
Not all types of trees are typically wired at the same time of year. And all climates aren’t the same anyway; spring in San Diego comes at least three months before spring here in Vermont (not to mention the bottom half of the planet where everything is backwards) and so forth. It probably goes without saying that all people aren’t the same either. Some ignore the advice of others and just wire when they want. Others strictly adhere to the old masters’ ways, but even the old masters’ ways vary some anyway. The upshot is, at any given time, someone, somewhere is wiring a bonsai. Why not you?
30% off and more coming
We are expecting a large shipment of wire from Japan sometime in April. Meanwhile, to make space (and a little cash), we are having a wire sale (30% off all wire). Go ahead and take advantage. You always need wire.
Aluminum
By the way, our wire is copper colored aluminum. It’s much easier to use than copper and less expensive too. And, it’s what most people want
Cedar elm forest painting by Donna L. Dobberfuhl. “Here is my entry. It is a 40″ x 30″ painting I did of “The Texas State Bonsai Exhibit” Cedar Elm Forest. The bonsai is planted in a custom ordered Chinese pot of some 65″ long, The Forest is about 4′ tall. I used the style of painting introduced by Chuck Close. I am a sculptor by profession but exercise my mind with occasional painting projects.”
We have a deadline!
We already have ten entries (stay tuned for the rest) so, like all good things, it’s time to bring it home (mixed metaphor anyone?). So, any entries received after midnight (Eastern standard time USA) this Sunday, March 14th, will returned with a little note saying how much we appreciate your submission, but sadly, we cannot accept it.
This means you have a little over two days
If you are still thinking about entering, don’t think too much longer. Send your entry to wayne@stonelantern.com.
Pirates
Bonsai Bark belongs to Stone Lantern (DBA Stone Lantern Discoveries Inc). If this (or any of our posts) appears anywhere other than under the Bonsai Bark heading and is not attributed to Bonsai Bark, then it has been pirated.
Bonsai Design by Patrick Giacobbe. Graphite on bristol board.
It’s not too late for your entry!
Send us yours and we’ll show the world what you are up to, and you just might win a $60. (or $30. or $10.) Gift Certificate to Stone Lantern.
Contest details here
I found this unusual little gem in Shohin Bonsai Europe’s Guest Gallery. It’s by Tedy Boy (that’s what it says) of Indonesia. The crown and the rest of the foliage seem to be almost disembodied, like floating in space. I think that’s because you can’t see where it attaches to the trunk. To add to the eccentric flavor, the background and funky plastic stand (upside down tub?) are pink. It’s not everyday you see a bonsai with a pink stand shot against a pink background. BTW: it’s a Phemna microphylla.
Unusual: good
Some of the the trees we show in our eccentric bonsai posts are mostly just unusual. Some are unusual and are also very high quality bonsai. Any thoughts about where this one fits in on the spectrum?
Pirates: bad
Bonsai Bark belongs to Stone Lantern (DBA Stone Lantern Discoveries Inc) and to me, Wayne Schoech (that’s pronounced Shay if anyone is interested). If this (or any of our posts) appears anywhere other than under the Bonsai Bark heading and is not attributed to Bonsai Bark or to me, then it has been pirated.
Acer palmatum (Japanese maple) by Mars Healey of the Greater Hartford Bonsai Society.
Keep ‘em coming
We still need at least two more to make our minimum (I had to reject two that were just photos of trees). So ga’head and send us yours. Really!
Contest details here
Pirates
At least one blog has been pirating our posts, lock stock and barrel; but without our links and without any attribution to bonsai bark, or Stone Lantern. If you are reading this on any website or blog that is not ours, and is not attributed to us, then it has been pirated. Please visit us at bonsaibark.com. Thank you.
Our most excellent bonsai soil is now back in stock. Just in time for spring transplanting season.
Bristlecone teapot, by Mike Viljak. Here’s what Mike has to say about it: “Attached is a photo of a bristlecone-inspired teapot I made out of porcelain. The outside is glazed in raw wood ash, but fired in a gas kiln. The base is made of local clay I collected. When doing both ceramic art and bonsai, the two tend to inform each other in lots of ways.”
There’s still time for you to enter
But don’t wait too long. Entries are coming in at a brisk pace, so we’ll probably close the contest pretty soon (my best guess is about a week). Here are the details on how to enter. Most people are writing short statements about their entries. You might want to do it too.
Shimpaku foliage grafted onto a California juniper by Roy Nagatoshi. All of the photos in this post are by Dale Berman. They originally appeared in Bonsai Today issue 108 in an article by Marcus Juniel.
Shimpaku foliage on California junipers
California juniper foliage is heavy and somewhat coarse (I think it looks fine on native stock, but Shimpaku foliage is beautiful and looks even better) and many bonsai artist opt to graft on Shimpaku foliage.
Approach graft. The Shimpaku (scion) still has it roots in soil when it is joined with the stock. Once the graft has taken, it is cut off from its roots in a place and way that best hides the graft so that no (or almost no) traces of the procedure show. How this is done is a big part of the skill involved in grafting bonsai. This sketch and the one below are also from Bonsai Today issue 108.
Continue reading ‘Roy Nagatoshi Grafts Shimpaku Branches and Foliage onto a California Juniper’
Jimmy Le sent this entry in. He didn’t say anything about the medium or really anything at all, except “Here’s my entry Wayne.” If there’s anything else you’d like to say Jimmy, please don’t hesitate. Update: Jimmy just sent this (3/10/10): “I didn’t realize i needed to email a description as well, but this sketch was done while I was sitting in class, I was inspired to draw this because of a Hollywood Juniper i saw at Bonsai West in Littleton Massachusetts.”
Our $100.00 Bonsai Art Contest
Back in mid-February we started yet another contest. This one has generous prizes; generous enough to maybe motivate you to enter (see below). Check out the details here and give it a try. You’ve got nothing to lose.
The prizes
First prize is a $60 gift certificate to Stone Lantern. Second prize $30 gift certificate. Third prize $10 gift certificate.
Here’s Ken To’s entry. And here’s what Ken has to say about it: “Here is my entry for the art contest. This is a wire bonsai sculpture made entirely from 24 gauge wire. It’s planted in a high quality Japanese mame bonsai pot. I made this as a surprise present for my wife on Valentine’s day. Just in time for the contest! “
Our $100.00 Bonsai Art Contest
Back in mid-February we started yet another contest. This one has generous prizes; generous enough to maybe motivate you to enter (see below). Check out the details here and give it a try. You’ve got nothing to lose.
Why is this the second entry?
Because the first one is Frank Kelly’s drawing that we used to kick off the contest.
We’ve got more
We’ve already received several more entries that we will feature over the next few days. We’ll wrap it up when we get our quota (at least ten, maybe a few more depending how fast and furious they are coming in); so don’t wait!
Our generous prizes
First prize is a $60 gift certificate to Stone Lantern. Second prize $30 gift certificate. Third prize $10 gift certificate.
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