Twisting versus Bending Shari (Something You Don’t See Everyday)

Robert Steven’s simulation of a Juniper that was submitted by Joe Graviss (the original photo is below). Robert Steven’s critiques have been an anchor here on Bonsai Bark for almost six years. His first of approximately forty critiques (so far) appeared in 2010 (Bark dates to 2009). Each critique is a lesson in bonsai styling and taken together they constitute an extensive course in Robert’s bonsai tradition (if you asked me about Robert’s tradition I’d say his primary expertise lies in Penjing and tropical bonsai, but extends well into other areas of bonsai… though I’m not sure that’s how he … Continue reading Twisting versus Bending Shari (Something You Don’t See Everyday)

Pretty Good, But Not Good Enough

Robert Steven’s simulation of a Pemphis acidula that was submitted by Nurul Fajri (the original photo is below). When I opened my email from Robert Steven and glanced at the before photo (below), I thought it was the after photo. But only for a moment. It’s the pot that gave it away. The rest looked pretty good. Beyond pretty good actually (some of us might trade our entire collections for a tree like this). But not good enough for Robert who always seems to find ways to improve any bonsai (maybe we should challenge him improve a Kimura masterpiece… just … Continue reading Pretty Good, But Not Good Enough

A Deeper Understanding: Robert Transforms a Forest Planting

Robert Steven’s simulation of a forest planting that was submitted by Paulo Netto (photo immediately below). Here’s some of what Robert has to say about this simulation: “The irregular placement of the trees creates a better perspective and the impact of the focal point is more obvious. Sufficient empty space makes the scenery much more interesting and natural.” A good place to start Forest planting are fun and easy. Easy in the sense that anyone can gather a group of small trees and place them in a pot. Often, even complete novices will find the results pleasing, especially if they … Continue reading A Deeper Understanding: Robert Transforms a Forest Planting

Robert Steven World Famous Bonsai Artist, Teacher & Author Will Critique Your Tree For Free

Robert Steven at work. A very easy decision I just received an email from Robert Steven suggesting that we offer his critiques of your trees on Bonsai Bark. Needless to say, I hesitated about 1/10th of second (maybe less) in accepting his offer. About Robert Robert Steven is one of the most innovative and prolific bonsai artists in the world. Robert possesses enough vision, daring, imagination and masterful control of technique to fuel dozens of us more ordinary bonsai lovers. If you don’t believe me (overstatement is not unknown around these parts) check out his books: Vision of My Soul, … Continue reading Robert Steven World Famous Bonsai Artist, Teacher & Author Will Critique Your Tree For Free

Piece of Cake (Let Them Eat Bonsai?)

This is not a real bonsai! It’s a Cake. Cake pot, cake soil, cake trunk, cake leaves, cake berries. The story behind the cake “I had a birthday recently and my husband ordered the most extraordinary cake. Sharon Berke, an artist and baker in Boston, Mass., made the cake you see in the picture. I’m a bonsai novice, but I believe it is meant to be a cotoneaster. Every bit of the cake was edible, with the exception of the wires used to make the branches. Even the tray was edible. It was a great surprise. Some of your readers … Continue reading Piece of Cake (Let Them Eat Bonsai?)

$100 Contest: The Final Three

This Cape honeysuckle (Tecomaria capensis), submitted by Ken T. (that’s all he wrote) has some promising potential. I like the gnarly knob on the right that makes the tree unique and tells a little story. Still, I can see a few things that might improve it. 1. I think soil line could be just a little higher so the base of the tree has a more anchored feel. Maybe if the soil was up to the bottom of the knob on the right and that little root was covered. Another way of saying this is just to lower the tree … Continue reading $100 Contest: The Final Three

Revisiting John Romano’s Almost Famous Juniper

Carl Morrow sent us this digitalized revision (and two others, see below) of a juniper that was originally submitted to our ‘Fearless Bonsai Warrior‘ program, by John Romano. This is the second critique of John’s juniper that has been submitted to Bonsai Bark (here’s the other). Carl’s turn with John’s Juniper The photos and text in this post were submitted by Carl Morrow. Carl has been here before with his own tree. Now he’s tackling John Romano’s juniper. “A tree needs to tell a consistent story and when one has an outstanding feature or focal point then the theme created … Continue reading Revisiting John Romano’s Almost Famous Juniper

Bonsai Warriors: A Critique & A Pleasant Surprise

This powerful Trident maple was submitted by Carl Morrow of Cape Town South Africa and is our first Fearless Bonsai Warrior award winner (a fifteen dollar gift certificate to Stone Lantern-see below). A free critique (for what it’s worth) There’s a lot to like about this tree, and a few things that might be done to improve it. I think it needs a different pot (actually, I like the pot a lot, just not with this tree). It’s shallowness sets off the trunk’s thickness, and that’s a good thing, however, the pot is too big from side to side and … Continue reading Bonsai Warriors: A Critique & A Pleasant Surprise

Unique Bonsai Contest: Entry #1 – Honeysuckle

This little Boxleaf honeysuckle (Lonicera nitida) belongs to Ferry Freriks of the Netherlands. Though it has room for improvement, still it’s a decent example of what you can do with a well chosen nursery plant, a few tools and a little time (four years in this case). The pot, in Ferry’s words, is “cheap Chinese.” A better pot This tree is on it’s way to becoming a worthy shohin bonsai. One of the surest ways to speed up that process is to put it in a better pot. Something just over half as deep would make the strong little trunk … Continue reading Unique Bonsai Contest: Entry #1 – Honeysuckle