Three Ring Bonsai Circus

Luminous Bougainvillea. Yesterday we featured a Buttonwood by Paul Pikel. Today we’ll stay with Paul (while inviting some other Florida artists) and we’ll start with this Bougainvillea at the Epcot (2009). You can read about it and more at Orlando Bonsai. Yesterday and today could be called Paul Pikel day here at Bark. Yesterday we headlined a famous Buttonwood of Paul’s (a better photo is below) and today I borrowed the Three Ring Bonsai Circus title (above) from an article by Paul at Orlando Bonsai. In the course of exploring Paul’s bonsai and his writing, it was a very short … Continue reading Three Ring Bonsai Circus

Staying on Theme – New NABF Website

Japanese black pine by Dan Robinson. Dan is known for his dramatically wild collected trees from the American northwest (and Canadian far west). Obviously this Black pine doesn’t fall into that category, though a bit of that wild look is still there. It received a WBFF Certificate of Merit. We’ve been featuring new websites a lot lately so we might as well stay on theme. All the photos in this post are from the new North American Bonsai Federation (NABF) website. NABF is affiliated with the World Bonsai Friendship Federation (WBFF).. One of the things the WBFF is known for … Continue reading Staying on Theme – New NABF Website

Imagination and Striking Detail

A close-up of a part of a penjing style planting from the World Bonsai Friendship Federation Convention that took place in China last month. This photo was sent to us by Randy Clark (we featured Randy’s plantings in a post about figurines last week and last month we featured a photo of the whole planting that we borrowed from Bill Valavanis). Part of another planting from the World Bonsai Friendship Federation Convention, also courtesy of Randy Clark. We don’t have a photo of the whole planting, so you’ll have to use your imagination.   Speaking of figurines (often called mudmen). … Continue reading Imagination and Striking Detail

Go Figure

Using figurines in tray plantings doesn’t necessarily qualify as eccentric; it’s common in Chinese (and other) penjing plantings. Perhaps it’s the type (you don’t see many moose in China) and especially the relative size of the figurine that makes this trident maple planting unusual. This photo is from an article by Randy Clark entitled ‘Bonsai & Figurines’ that originally appeared in Bonsai Today issue 95. Randy Clark is the owner of the Bonsai Learning Center (note: that was 2009, Randy has moved on since then). We’re digging way back into the recesses of time for this one. It was originally … Continue reading Go Figure

Bonsai In Black & White part 2 – Big Bonsai Tool Sale

This photo, titled bonsai in black and white turned up on flickr. It was shot in December 2009 at the National Arboretum by Brian Hefele. He was using a Sigma DP2. Bonsai Tool Sale Just a quick heads up on our brand new Bonsai Tool Sale (includes all our bonsai tools and even turntables, sieves, toll rolls and some other tool-related items). The discounts are 10%, 15% or 20% on all Bonsai Tools, depending on how many you buy (sets count as 1 item). Check it out, I think you’ll find something you like. Comments from Bonsai in Black & … Continue reading Bonsai In Black & White part 2 – Big Bonsai Tool Sale

Kathy Shaner & Friends in Carolina

Ficus forest by Randy Clark. Bonsai Learning Center, Charlotte, North Carolina. It’s in Charlotte and it’s not really summer yet Bonsai Learning Center is hosting a Summer Time Picnic & Open House, May 20, 21 & 22. Aside of the fact the Randy Clark (BLC’s owner and resident bonsai artist) is a customer and a friend (if you can call someone you’ve never met face to face a friend), what really caught my attention was that Kathy Shaner will be doing two free demos and a workshop. Kathy Shaner Here’s what Bonsai Learning Center says about Kathy Shaner: “Starting her … Continue reading Kathy Shaner & Friends in Carolina

That Nasty Summer Heat Wave

Both photos in this post are courtesy of Randy Clark of the Bonsai Learning Center. More to come? We just received the article below from Randy Clark of the Bonsai Learning Center in North Carolina on how to deal with the extreme heat that much of the country has been experiencing this summer. I may be a little late for those of us in the Northeast (at least here in northern Vermont), but for those of you further south, there may be more to come. Summer in the Carolinas by Randy Clark The Southeastern US is suffering from the heat … Continue reading That Nasty Summer Heat Wave