Flowers, a Tiny Lizard & Other Bonsai Wonders

It’s almost that time of year. Here’s David Benavente’s caption… Rhododendron indicum “Shin Nikko” hoy, en plena floración (today in full bloom). 45x55cm (18″ x 21.5″) We’re still working on finishing touches for our soon-to-be launched new website. Stay posted, I think you’re going to like it. Meanwhile time is of essence so we’ll take our trusty old shortcut. This one is from May of last year. It’s been a while since we’ve featured David Benavente and his Estudio de Bonsái. It’s in Galapagar, Spain. Just outside of Madrid. The photos are from David’s timeline FOUR SPRING SPECIALS 25% OFF BONSAI … Continue reading Flowers, a Tiny Lizard & Other Bonsai Wonders

Pine Bonsai, Past & Present

Dwarf Japanese five-needle Pine at this year’s Kokufu Exhibition. This and other Kokufu photos are from Bill Valavanis’ blog. Here’s Bill’s caption… “Looks like a spruce with the short needles.” Getting ready to throw the switch on our new website, so just some random pine bonsai today. Six from the past and two from this year’s Kokufu Exhibtion (Kokufu photos are courtesy of Bill Valavanis) SITE WIDE SALE ENDS TONIGHT 25% OFF EVERYTHING ON ALL ORDERS 25.00 OR MORE PLUS AN EXTRA 10% OFF OUR FAMOUS ROSHI TOOLS & AN EXTRA 10% OFF ROBERT STEVEN’S BONSAI AESTHETICS TOOLS 25% OFF … Continue reading Pine Bonsai, Past & Present

Two More Trees – Bonsai Tool Special Ends Tonight

No identification is given with this tree, but it looks like it could be a Yew (Taxus) Continuing with two more of David Benavente’s bonsai that are featured on a fb site called Una siesta in el nebari (A nap in the nebari) 30% off TOOL & WATERING CAN SPECIAL END TONIGHT see below The uncropped original of the tree above Another yew? Another uncropped original TOOL SPECIAL ENDS TONIGHT! 30% off Bonsai & Other Tools 30% off Watering Cans Sale applies to tools & cans that are already discounted 30% discount is applied at checkout LAST DAY special ends tonight, … Continue reading Two More Trees – Bonsai Tool Special Ends Tonight

A Nap in the Nebari

As you can see, this muscular bonsai belongs to David Benavente, one of Europe’s best know bonsai artists. The tree isn’t identified on our source, but it looks a lot like a Japanese white pine Today we’ve got a quick study of two David Benavente’s pines. We’ve long been impressed with David’s bonsai and have featured them many times here on Bonsai Bark. I found these photos on a fb page titled Una siesta in el nebari (A nap in the nebari) Continued below… 30% off TOOL SPECIAL ONLY TWO MORE DAYS see below Few things lend as much age (or impression of … Continue reading A Nap in the Nebari

A Piece of Rebar, Some Nerve & More than a Little Skill

This before and after by David Benavente provides a look at what you can do with a piece of rebar, some nerve, and more than a little skill. I originally posted this in 2010 and can longer find David’s original, but if memory serves, the tree is a Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) Continuing with David Benavente (see yesterday’s post) and our before and after from the day before… The photos for this post are from a a 2010 Bark post. I’ve reworked them some, and the text is new. For more on David, you can visit his website and you can visit him … Continue reading A Piece of Rebar, Some Nerve & More than a Little Skill

Bonsai on Instagram – Great Trees, Great Stones

There’s a lot going on with this one. Especially the two types of exposed roots – the long aerial roots growing down to the flat stone on the right, and the other set of roots fanning down the side of the large stone (the stone is another nice feature). I couldn’t find the type tree (looks like it might be a Ficus) nor any info on the artist/owner. Unless the person who put the photo up is the owner (there’s a name embedded in the Instagram address) Just ventured onto Instragram for the first time. So far I like it. It’s an easy … Continue reading Bonsai on Instagram – Great Trees, Great Stones

Sweet Little Trees & a Bonsai No No

This little gem looks like it might be a mini Mandarin orange tree. Or maybe a Kumquat. No name or attribution is provided I like small bonsai. Especially when they are photographed handheld to provide some scale. Unfortunately, the business fb site where I got these photos didn’t provide any information on varieties or artists/owners. Perhaps to impart the impression that the trees belong to them. One photo of a Haruyosi tree even had their name on it. A definite no no (see below). Two Great Specials End Tonight! Roshi Bonsai Tool Special Ends Tonight Bonsai Soil Special Ends Tonight both specials end Sunday, … Continue reading Sweet Little Trees & a Bonsai No No

Satsuki Flowers, Maple Leaves, a Tiny Lizard & Other Bonsai Wonders

It’s that time of year. Here’s David Benavente’s caption… Rhododendron indicum “Shin Nikko” hoy, en plena floración (today in full bloom). 45x55cm (18″ x 21.5″) It’s been a while since we’ve featured David Benavente and his Estudio de Bonsái. It’s in Galapagar, Spain. Just outside of Madrid. The photos are from David’s timeline BONSAI TOOL SPECIAL ENDS TONIGHT see below – It’s not only about the flowers. Close up of the lower trunk and nebari European olive (Olea europaea). No caption with this one, but it speaks for itself Closeup Lizard on a European olive. Is this the same tree? … Continue reading Satsuki Flowers, Maple Leaves, a Tiny Lizard & Other Bonsai Wonders

Before & After – Antes y Despues

Before and after Itoigawa juniper (Juniperus chinesis ‘itoigawa’) by David Benavente. It helps to start with a magnificent tree. Still, this takes nothing away from the considerable skills of an artist like David Benavente. In fact, bringing a great tree back to shape and taking it to the next level is one of the things that defines a highly accomplished bonsai artist. Sticking with our reoccurant Before & After theme, today’s Itoigawa juniper is one of several remarkable Before & Afters (Antes y Despues) that David Benavente posted several years ago. By the way, if you’re confused about the difference between Shimpaku, Kishu and Itoigawa, here’s something from … Continue reading Before & After – Antes y Despues

Bonsai Art & the Art of Bonsai

The day has barely started and I’m already running out of superlatives. I guess spectacular will do in this case. It’s a Korean hornbeam (Carpinus turczaninowii) by Ian Stewartson. The photo is from Bonsai Art’s website. After three straight new posts it’s time to delve into our archives . This one originally appeared March 2013. Bonsai Art magazine is very well named. As bonsai magazines go, it is as well-done, beautiful and professional as they come. The problem, for most of us at least, is that it’s in German. But really, the photos and overall presentation are so good that … Continue reading Bonsai Art & the Art of Bonsai