NEW Bonsai Books

Finally. Volume 2 of Bonsai Aesthetics is here and it turns out that it is well worth the wait. Volume 1 covers the main rules of bonsai design while volume 2 digs into what makes the difference between an ordinary bonsai and those selected for Japan’s famous Kokufu-ten exhibiton. What is it about these bonsai trees that cause such intense feelings when we see them? The author, Francois Jeker is an accomplished bonsai artist, author, teacher and deadwood carving master. Big Summer Book Sale. Strike while the iron is hot. We are currently running a 20% to 25% off sale … Continue reading NEW Bonsai Books

Planning Ahead: Francois Is Returning

I picked this pine (Scot’s?) up off of Francois Jeker’s website. I had a feeling we’ve used it before (we’ve posted around 1,000 bonsai on this blog so far, so it’s hard to keep track) and sure enough, we used a slightly different version of it exactly one year ago today to promote Francois’ 2010 visit to Rosade Bonsai Studio (auspicious coincidence, eh?). It’s a classic yamadori and even though it doesn’t show too much of Francois’ masterful carving, I like it’s simplicity and power. Altogether a very handsome tree (and in an amazingly small pot). Return engagement Francois Jeker, … Continue reading Planning Ahead: Francois Is Returning

Gallerie de Francois Jeker

Carving with a French flare We have featured Francois Jeker several times on Bonsai Bark. And for good reason; Francois is an accomplish bonsai artist, teacher and author (Bonsai Aesthetics). He also designed and built his own Japanese garden and is a lighting professional, among other things. In the overlapping circles of the bonsai world, Francois is especially known for his deadwood carving. The trees shown here (borrowed from his website) give you just a taste of what Francois has been up to lately.

Still Speaking of François Jeker

Okay. More François. After all, he’s coming to the U.S., so why not? And, he just sent us these images and I like them and thought you might like them too. For more check out our previous posts, here and here. A message from Mr. Jeker Bonjour, Ci-joint le résultat du dernier stage sur la maturation des arbres. Il s’agit pour la plupart d’arbres qui avaient été travaillés lors de mes stages ces deux dernières années et qui ont fait l’objet d’un nouveautravail de maturation sur deux jours : interventions sur le nebari, la silhouette, la ramification et le bois … Continue reading Still Speaking of François Jeker

Speaking of François Jeker

It’s a little fuzzy (enlarged a tad too much), but you can still see the time consuming detail in François Jeker’s carving. It’s especially noteworthy because the tree is a yew (taxus), a genus known for the hardness of its wood. From the cover of Bonsai Today issue 103. Continued This post is a continuation of the day before yesterday’s post about François appearing at Rosade Bonsai Studio on May 15th. Borrowed from François‘ website. I’m not sure what it is, but I know I like the pot, the tree and the creative presentation. Also from François’ website.

François Jeker Coming to Rosade Bonsai Studio

This soulful tree is exceptionally clean, fluid and well balanced; especially considering how far to the right it is leaning. I lifted it from François’ website. It looks like a very small needled pine, maybe a dwarf Scot’s of some kind, though I can’t really tell. Dead-on deadwood artist François Jeker does some of the most outrageous deadwood carving anywhere. If you don’t believe me, check this out. Or go to his site. Or buy his excellent book (en Espanol tambien). Or best of all, go see him at Rosade Bonsai Studio on May 15th. These illustrations by François give … Continue reading François Jeker Coming to Rosade Bonsai Studio

Juniper in Progress by François Jeker

We just received this from François Jeker. François is the author Bonsai Aesthetics and is an accomplished bonsai artist and teacher. He is particularly known for his skills in creating, carving and aging of deadwood. Bonsai Today featured a series of his articles on the topic (issues 103, 104 and 105). The bad news is that two of these issue are out of print. The good news is that we have been posting excerpts here on Bonsai Bark and plan on posting more in the future. I particularly like his article on aging deadwood which was featured in July of … Continue reading Juniper in Progress by François Jeker

Jin & Shari #4 – Natural Aging

These four stages of natural aging on deadwood are from an article by François Jeker that appeared in Bonsai Today 103 (out of print). Francois is a accomplished bonsai artist (and deadwood master), gardener, author (Bonsai Aesthetics) and more. Stage one A freshly peeled branch or trunk will have completely smooth wood. Stage two Over the years, due to drying in the sun and wind, the wood will split into apical cracks (see below for more on apical growth and cracks). Stage three Much later, cracks that are perpendicular to the apical cracks will appear and form a “snakeskin” pattern. … Continue reading Jin & Shari #4 – Natural Aging

Jin & Shari #3: Power Carving Tools

A power rotary tool (Dremel brand) with a steel wire brush attachment in the skilled hands of François Jeker. From Bonsai Today issue 104 (out of print). The use of carving tools in bonsai In bonsai carving tools are used to create new deadwoood and enhance existing deadwood. There was a day not too long ago when all carving was done by hand. Recently, all that has changed and more and more bonsai artists are using power tools. And not just small rotary tools, but even things like chainsaws and specially designed grinders. Just scratching the surface (so to speak) … Continue reading Jin & Shari #3: Power Carving Tools

Back Yard Bonsai Displays #4: A Japanese Touch

This shot doesn’t exactly show off François Jeker’s bonsai (if you squint you can see them way in the back), but it does give you a pretty good idea of his artistry when it comes to building and maintaining a Japanese garden. Speaking of François Jeker Though François Jeker is well known for his masterful work with deadwood (see previous and future posts), his interest and skills stretch far beyond. The gardens and bonsai displays featured here attest to his sensibilities and deft touch, as does his benchmark book, Bonsai Aesthetics.