The art of bonsai

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) that belongs to Ian Stewartson. The photo is from Bonsai Art’s website. Delving into our archives, while sticking with our German theme (see yesterday). This one originally appeared March 2013. Bonsai Art magazine is very well named. As bonsai magazines go, it’s as 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 maybe the … Continue reading Bonsai Art & the Art of Bonsai

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

Mastering Worlds, Exploring Bonsai & Tribal Art

This ‘living room’ shot (cropped from a larger photo below) is actually a part of an important art exhibition titled Mastering Worlds; Exploring Space and Scale in Tribal and Asiatic Art that is taking place in NYC this weekend. Not too long ago there was a debate in the Western bonsai community about whether bonsai should be recognized as an art. Fortunately, that debate has been put to rest (for most of us, at least). Bonsai at its best qualifies as art in every sense of the word. Now to get the rest of the world and particularly the art world … Continue reading Mastering Worlds, Exploring Bonsai & Tribal Art

Wire All the Way Out to the Tips and Don’t Forget to Take It All Off

Japanese white pine bunjin wired at Taisho en. From ‘The Art of Bonsai.’ Taking the first Sunday of spring (ha!) off today, so we’ll dig it into the vast wealth buried in our archives. The original is titled Wiring Tips: Take It All Off (but not too early). It appeared in May of 2011. BTW: it’s no accident that it’s about wiring. Our Big Kilo Wire Sale ends tonight and I thought this might serve as a good reminder. It this light, I’ve added something called Wiring All the Way Out to the Tips from another earlier post. Take it … Continue reading Wire All the Way Out to the Tips and Don’t Forget to Take It All Off

What Happens When an Artist Tries His Hand at Bonsai?

You can see this bonsai and other examples of Pierre Leloup’s art on his facebook page and on his website. The luck of the draw Pierre Leloup and Sangi Drolet were my immediate neighbors in the vendors section of the 3rd U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition. As it turned out, they saved my life (in the not too literal sense). Not only did they help me load up at the end of the show (I was by myself and brought way too much stuff), but they fed me, offered me water when I was dry, and cheered me up during those … Continue reading What Happens When an Artist Tries His Hand at Bonsai?

The Great ‘Is Bonsai Art?’ Debate

The May-June (Mai/Juni) cover of Bonsai Art magazine. Europe’s (and maybe the world’s) most beautiful bonsai mag (German language only). Is bonsai art? You’ll often see the term ‘bonsai artist’ in this blog (and elsewhere). You’ll also often see the term ‘the art of bonsai.’ Clearly, there’s no problem with putting the words bonsai and art (or artist) together. And why not? High quality bonsai pretty much fits the definition of art (see below) and most people would agree that good bonsai requires artistry. A better question Perhaps a better question than ‘is bonsai an art,’ would be; ‘when is … Continue reading The Great ‘Is Bonsai Art?’ Debate