Category Archive for ‘Bark’ at Bonsai Bark Bonsai Blog

Archive for the 'Bark' Category

Bonsai Events Calendar with Updates

Published

on 08/27/2010

. 1 Comment

Photo from Crataegus Bonsai. See below Nov 2-4 for Crataegus Bonsai Seasonal with Michael Hagedorn.

Our first update
Since we posted our first calendar one week ago, we have received info on several additional events. To make these new ones easy to spot, the dates are in orange with a asterisk* in front.

Send yours us yours
If you have a bonsai event you’d like to see in our next calendar, send it to wayne@stonelantern.com, or put it in the comments below (don’t forget the links). We can’t guarantee we’ll publish them all, but we might.

Aug 27-?: Stone Lantern over 325 items discounted plus volume discounts

Sep 4-7: Bay Island Bonsai Workshop

Sep 9-12: Bonsai and Suiseki Prague 2010, 13th National Exhibition

Sep 10-12: International Bonsai’s North American Bonsai Symposium

Sep 10-19: Crespi Bonsai 9th International Bonsai & Suiseki Meeting (Italy)

*Sep 11-12: Columbus Bonsai Society 37th Annual Show

Sep 13: Ryan Neil Demonstration, The Bonsai Society of Upstate New York

Sep 17-19 Pacific Northwest Bonsai Clubs Convention with Dan Robinson, Kathy Shaner, Michael Hagedorn, David DeGroot and other notables

Sep 18-26: Potomac Bonsai Association Exhibit at the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum

Sep 29 – Oct 12: BCI Fall China Tour

Continue reading ‘Bonsai Events Calendar with Updates’

Coming Soon! Calendar of Bonsai Events

Published

wayne

on 08/13/2010

in Bark

. 0 Comments

Promoting the art of bonsai
Bonsai Bark exists for at least two purposes. 1. To promote the art of bonsai, and 2. to bring people to Stone Lantern. In keeping with number 1, we are going start offering a regular calendar of bonsai events. At this point, I am not sure how often (maybe bi-weekly or even weekly), or exactly what will be included (we may treat non-profit organization differently than for profit businesses). In any case, if you want to promote your event, email me (put bonsai calendar in the subject line) or include it in the comments below, and, chances are, we will publicize it for you. FYI: Bonsai Bark averages about 16,000 visits per month (about 5,000 unique).

A piece of an 1871 Hindu calendar. Borrowed from Wikipedia.

Help us find your event(s)
We will actively seek out events by scouring the web. However, this does not assure that we will find your event(s). So help us out. Send us links. Again, you can email me (put bonsai calendar in the subject line) or you can include your link (with comments if you’d like) in the comments section of any Bonsai Bark posting.

Our Summer Sale Ends Thursday Morning

Published

wayne

on 08/10/2010

in Bark

. 0 Comments

TOK206 Our Okatsune bonsai shear. This is my favorite bonsai shear. In fact, I think it’s the best bonsai shear in the world (short of individually hand made $500 and up Japanese shears).

New shipment of tools from Japan due in next week
We are running out of many of our tools, but a new supply is due in next week. Order now and take advantage of our Site Wide Summer Sale, and as soon as they arrive, yours will be on its way.

B1GNARLY

I’ve seen most of the photos and much of the text, and I will stake my reputation (whatever it is) on this being one of the most inspirational and exciting bonsai books ever published. It’s due in October (November?), but if you order and prepay now, you’ll get your Summer Sale discount and you’ll be toward the front of the line for shipment.

Tempus Fugit and So Am I

Published

wayne

on 08/04/2010

in Bark

. 0 Comments

Don’t go away. I’m at 36,000 feet, can’t upload images (text, we can do) but will be back in the saddle tomorrow with more exciting (a small stretch) and brilliant (a longer stretch) bonsai observations for your enjoyment. Meanwhile, don’t forget to water and watch out for aphids and various other little sap suckers.

And BTW: don’t wait too long, our site wide sale is about to run its course.

Becoming Picasso

Published

wayne

on 07/25/2010

in Bark and Cuttings

. 2 Comments

robinson_lodge_pole_pine_600

Lodge pole pine by Dan Robinson (Elandan Gardens). From The Art of Bonsai Project. Photo by Victrinia Ensor.

Seriously, Picasso?
I didn’t make the Picasso thing up (though it’s the second time I’ve used it). It’s from a chapter entitled ‘Becoming Picasso’ in Gnarly Branches, Ancient Trees: The Life and Works of Dan Robinson – Bonsai Pioneer, by Will Hiltz. No matter who first thought to equate Dan and Picasso, I think it might be apt. Passion, willingness to break with convention, constant experimentation, a profound respect for the medium, and of course, a fair dose of natural talent, accurately characterizes both Pablo Picasso and Dan Robinson. Of course, you could have all of these things and still not be one of the all time great artists. As far as that goes, I’ll let you be the judge.

GB-PicassoExcerpt-Press A spread from the ‘Becoming Picasso’ chapter in Gnarly Branches, Ancient Trees.

Continue reading ‘Becoming Picasso’

One of the Most Important (and Beautiful) Bonsai Books Ever Published Is Coming Soon

Published

wayne

on 07/23/2010

in Bark

. 2 Comments

GB-Hemlock-Press

This perfect Mountain hemlock expresses Dan Robinson’s respect for how nature does it. Not that he doesn’t add his touch; he does, and it’s masterful. Photo is from the book.

Gnarly Branches, Ancient Trees: The Life and Works of Dan Robinson – Bonsai Pioneer
This will surely be one of the most important (and beautiful) bonsai books ever published. Will Hiltz, author and photographer elevates the art of book making, and Dan Robinson, bonsai artist and master, elevates the art of collecting, growing and styling bonsai. Dan’s approach is uniquely his own and shows profound respect for trees, nature, art; the whole process that we call bonsai. Bonsai pioneer is a good choice of words to describe who Dan is. The Picasso of bonsai might be equally good.

Order yours now
High quality hardcover with dust jacket, 10 1/2″ x 9 1/2″ 292 pages. Due in October 2010. Order and pay now for earliest delivery.

GB-BruennerHinoki-Press You could randomly open to almost anywhere in the book and come up with a spread as magical as this.

Continue reading ‘One of the Most Important (and Beautiful) Bonsai Books Ever Published Is Coming Soon’

Jinning: A Tidy Two Tool Tecnique

Published

wayne

on 07/18/2010

in Bark, Growing Season and Styling

. 0 Comments

2tooljin

The type is almost microscopic, so we’ll synopsize a bit (see below for a slightly magnified version): 2. Use a concave cutter to score around the base of the branch you are jinning. 3 and 4. Crush the bark with pliers. 5. Pull the bark off with your fingers. 6. Create a natural shape by using concave cutters to apply small cuts and to pull of the resulting wood threads (you can use pliers to pull the threads if you want). From a article by David Benavente in Bonsai Today issue 85.

An elegant solution, but what about other tools?
I use a draw knife for jinning and carving. It’s a great tool; the more you use it, the more you realize just how versatile it can be. And of course, there are a host of other hand tools and power carving tools you can play with and achieve great results. Still, using just two very common tools (pliers and concave cutters) is an elegant solution, especially if your tool box is sparse.

TFK This box of Flexcut carving tools includes a draw knife (on the left), an indispensable tool for a range of tasks. The other five tools all come in handy as well.

Continue reading ‘Jinning: A Tidy Two Tool Tecnique’

Thinking Ahead Two Years

Published

wayne

on 07/17/2010

in Bark and Cuttings

. 1 Comment

2012 NATIONAL BONSAI POSTER

It’s not so far fetched
Most of the time we think day to day or even moment to moment. Occasionally, we need to think a little further out (time wise that is). This is especially true if you want to exhibit a bonsai or perhaps become a vendor at the 3rd U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition. Or, given the pressures on your schedule, if you just want to attend. Though it may seem far fetched now, if you don’t plan ahead, other obligations might worm their way into you schedule.

BTW: The 2nd was a roaring success.

Bonsai Styles, Book Sale, Warehouse Reopens Soon

Published

wayne

on 07/07/2010

in Bark and Styling

. 0 Comments

BSTYLES

A new shipment of Charles Ceronio’s Bonsai Styles of the World just arrived after a prolonged hiatus. It’s an absolute bonsai classic, and though it’s not cheap (now $45.00), it’s so exceptional and unique (see below), that it’s worth every penny and more.

Book sale
After some trouble with images, our book sale is finally underway. 35% to 45% off all books (it’s never been better).

Warehouse closed until Monday
We’ll resume shipping on Monday, July 12th. Don’t wait to order though, as orders will go out on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Continue reading ‘Bonsai Styles, Book Sale, Warehouse Reopens Soon’

Colin Lewis Interview: “They’re All Important”

Published

wayne

on 07/06/2010

in Bark, Cuttings, Growing Season and Styling

. 0 Comments

colinpix

Faces of a transplanted bonsai artist. From Colin’s’ website.

From bad weather to more bad weather
Colin Lewis is a Englishman who somehow has ended up in the woods of Maine, where he raises bonsai, teaches, unpacks from his bonsai road show and drinks copious amounts of coffee in his pajamas. Most people who know Colin say that if you can get past his heavy foreign accent (joke!), you can learn a lot from him. Especially when it comes to the art of bonsai.

An uncommon mix
Among other things, Colin has a somewhat uncommon mix of talents. He can bonsai, he can teach, and, to top it off, he can write. So well in fact, that I once received an article for Bonsai Today (issue 79, on larch care) from him that didn’t need one single word (or even punctuation mark) changed. If you’ve ever been a publisher or especially an editor, you know just how rare this is.

But I digress, so without further ado, here’s Colin answering a few questions I emailed to him a while back.

Do you have, or have you had, bonsai teachers? (any stories?)
I never had a regular teacher, but I learned from so many fine artists. I lived close to Peter Adams and visited him from time to time. Dan Barton was another influence. I learned mostly by watching good people work – and still do.

What would you say are the most important things you’ve learned about bonsai?
They’re all important.

Do you consider bonsai an art?
Absolutely. But don’t look for comparisons with other artistic disciplines – there aren’t any.

shimpaku-hankengai

Shimpaku from Colin’s website and from his book, Bonsai Design (unfortunately, out of print). The pot is by Dave Loweman.

Continue reading ‘Colin Lewis Interview: “They’re All Important”’

Bonsai Bark Bonsai Blog

Archive for the 'Bark' Category

Bonsai Events Calendar with Updates

Coming Soon! Calendar of Bonsai Events

Our Summer Sale Ends Thursday Morning

Tempus Fugit and So Am I

Becoming Picasso

One of the Most Important (and Beautiful) Bonsai Books Ever Published Is Coming Soon

Jinning: A Tidy Two Tool Tecnique

Thinking Ahead Two Years

Bonsai Styles, Book Sale, Warehouse Reopens Soon

Colin Lewis Interview: “They’re All Important”

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