Simulation number two by Robert Steven. Simulation number one is below.  (Our reasons for putting the second one first is NOT to confuse you; it’s just that we like it more).

Simulation number one by Robert Steven.

A first
This is the first time Robert Steven has presented us with a two part critique. It’s also the first time we’ve offered a 3D image. Rather than confuse the issue any further than we already have (see above), we’ll just go straight to what Robert has to say.

Robert’s two part Jun Ilaga citique in his own words

These two pictures of a Muraya bonsai planting belong to Jun Ilaga from the Phillipines. The first photo shows his initial design. Then, because he wanted a more unique design, he decided to restyle it. The result is shown in the second photo.

First photo (submitted by Jun Ilaga).

Second photo (also submitted by Jun Ilaga).

Robert’s remarks continued…

The artist wanted to create a unique design. I think the first design idea is better than the new design, especially because of the hilly contour.

For me, the unique part is the clump that he put on the right side, with its branch stretching out to the right. I want to use this branch as our talking point; a point of interest that depicts a natural logic. The hilly contour is also a very interesting creative component.

In my opinion, the way he put the main clump on the right (low part) has biased the focal point of the overall composition. In forest or grouping style bonsai, the focal point is suppose to be positioned a little off-center, then the viewing should flow from that heavier focus to the lighter areas of the planting.

In the initial composition, the focal point is not very clear either; there is kind of competition between the two groups. They look separated as though they don’t belong to the same planting. As a result, there is a lack of unity.

As you can see in my first simulation (second photo at the top of post), I moved the main clump onto the hill and combined it with one of the tall single trees to create an integrated focal point. Another purpose is to emphasize the talking point, the branch that stretches out over the hill side. I think this idea really emphasizes the planting’s uniqueness.

In order to create a better sense of perspective, I use a slightly bigger slab that provides more space on the right and the front. Then we can contour the slope on the right side to the back, allowing it to be overlapped by the larger hill. This creates a gap than provides perspective.

Empty space is very important in creating a feeling of perspective. You can see this where I use a small tree on the right side of the planting. This small size creates the illusion that the tree is back in the distance.

In my second simulation (photo at the top of post), my comments would be much the same in relation to the focal point and viewing flow. As you can see, more attention has been paid to the planting’s sense of unity with the “asymmetrical balance” concept.

Just for fun, if you have a red-cyan 3D glasses, you can view the below picture in 3D image.

General comments
There is more than one way to design any bonsai and my critiques and recommended solutions might not always fit your taste and personal preferences, but I always try to give my opinion based on artistic and horticultural principles.

To understand my concepts better, please read my books Vision of My Soul and Mission of Transformation which are available at Stone Lantern.

My new bonsai blog address : http://robert-steven.ofbonsai.org

Holy Toledo! (as my dad used to say). Great tree and a most excellent photo. Now if everyone only paid this much attention to detail when they shoot their bonsai. It belongs to Piotr Czerniachowski (here’s a YouTube demo by Piotr) and has been accepted for the 2012 Noelanders Trophy exhibition. I found the photo on facebook.

Speaking of the Noelanders Trophy Exhibition, here a tree from their 2011 show. I lifted it from this YouTube video. If it looks familiar to you, it might be because we featured it in a post almost two years ago (that photo is much better than this one)

The Houston Bonsai Society already has a complete 2012 calendar up (I won’t say anything about Fresno or some others, except that in three days it will be 2012 already). Anyway, HBS has a great site with a current monthly newsletter (here’s December) and much more. Note: Apologies to the good folks in Fresno. For some reason I seem to be picking on them these days. Maybe it’s because I have a soft spot for the San Joaquin Valley with its searing heat and delightful country culture (see below).

While we’re in the San Joaquin Valley, we might as well visit the Modesto Bonsai Club (Modesto is where I experienced the joys and sorrows of childhood, which might help explain why I like to pick on Fresno). Sad to say, the Modesto club’s site appears to be about one year behind. Still, I expect the good folks of that glorious part of the country are still plugging away at their bonsai (while enjoying their famous Tule fog).

Tasmania! Not too far from Modesto, we’ve got Southern Tasmania (just kidding). I’ve always wanted to visit Tasmania, partly because it’s so far away (excluding Anartica, I don’t think you can get any farther away from Vermont than Southern Tasmania) and partly just because it’s Tasmania (most people couldn’t find it on a map if their life depended on it). The Southern Tasmania Bonsai Society’s site is up to date (here’s their December newsletter), always a good sign.

BTW: we received a nice note from Noel Kemp, the president of the Southern Tasmania Bonsai Society. You can read it below, at the bottom of this post.

Seen one, seen them all. Rhona Meislik standing in front of a young, somewhat unimpressive Baobab tree in South Africa. (Okay, I’m kidding, but it is Rhona and it is a Baobab). From Jerry and Rhona’s recent South African bonsai tour. Among other things, Jerry is the author of Ficus, the Exotic Bonsai (retail 27.95, on special at Stone Lantern for 19.95).

2012 Bonsai Calendars. We’ve still got a handful left. They won’t last much longer, so don’t wait if you want to enjoy world-class bonsai every time you check the date.

A Hawaiian bonsai story. From the Fuku Bonsai website: “In 1989 Fuku-Bonsai sprayed defective Benlate contaminated with weed killers and suffered catastrophic losses that totaled over $30 million.  With the support and assistance of many individuals and organizations throughout the Big Island of Hawaii, we survived, reinvented the company, and are now rebuilding and expanding.” It boggles the mind to think that there were thirty million dollars worth of bonsai in the entire country, let alone at one nursery.

The twist. I debated whether to show you this tree because I didn’t like the smudgy gunk on the background. But, in the end, the tree won me over and I just couldn’t resist. It, and several other notable bonsai, belong to Francois Gau.

Bonsai in northern Indiana. This banner is from a link on the Fort Wayne Bonsai Club website about their spring and fall bonsai shows at the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory in downtown Fort Wayne. BTW: The FWBC calendar is up to date.

Back to Tasmania: A note from Noel Kemp, the president of the Southern Tasmania Bonsai Society.

Dear Wayne

Having just read your recent posting I shall take you up on your offer of letting you know about our Exhibition, in April, next year. Still a while away, but if people are planning a trip “Down Under”, advanced notice of events is usually a good thing.

We, the Bonsai Society of Southern Tasmania, are a small, but persistent Society, having been established in 1984.  We have waxed and waned in numbers over the years, and are currently in a strong position (as we were last year), to put on our second show.  Our inaugural Exhibtion, last (austral) Spring was a great success, which is why we have decided on a repeat performance. This one will be in the Autumn (“Fall”), next year, to show the public a different – seasonal- aspect of bonsai.

Although the notice is not yet on our site, your readers might like to look us up, in advance:

http://www.chooseit.org.au/bonsai/index.html

The Exhibition will be in Rosny (a suburb of Hobart):

14-15th April, 2012, at the Rosny Barn (an early 19th Century – old for Australia! – stone building), which has been refurbished inside and which is now a top-rate exhibition area; it is much sought after by artists for their shows.  In fact, having visited many bonsai shows on the mainland (as in, the big isle, up there, to the north of Tassy) I can honestly say that the Barn is one of the best venues for a bonsai show that I have seen.

Thanks in anticipation for passing this on to bonsai enthusiasts, and keep sending your Stone Lantern Newsletter, thanks!

With kind regards,

Noel

Noel R Kemp
President, Southern Tasmania Bonsai Society