Robert Steven, 2 Trunks & 3 Moose

A simulation by Robert Steven based on two Siberian larch submitted by Kristin Wood. Robert’s handiwork combined with the rough, richly colored bark, sweet little cones, brilliant moss and just right container, makes for a very attractive naturalistic bonsai. If you have two trees, neither of which has too much promise as a single bonsai, sometimes the best solution is to combine them. Of course some vision and skill never hurts, but really, with just a little patience and willingness to experiment, you might be surprised at the results. In this case, the person doing the combining (simulated) has more … Continue reading Robert Steven, 2 Trunks & 3 Moose

Bonsai from the Basque Country

Rather than focus on the more obvious features on this magnificent two headed pine, it might be interesting to take a look at the low foliage that reaches down and touches in front of the base of the trunk. Though you might be tempted to remove it and show better show the base of the trunk and the line to the right, still, I think it serves to help bring the eye back to the tree’s balance point, rather than jumping back and forth between the two very strong competing halves of the tree. Another way of approaching this is, … Continue reading Bonsai from the Basque Country

A Man With a Mission (and a Vision)

This calligraphic bonsai seems perfectly balanced between stasis and movement (something like that anyway). The relationship of bonsai to calligraphy goes way back to the old Chinese masters. Not only is Robert Steven an artistic heir to this tradition, but he is also an expert on the tradition and its history. This post features five trees that I grabbed from a Robert Steven gallery on facebook. Two things immediately jumped to mind when I first saw them: one, Robert just keeps producing top-notch bonsai, and two, these are undeniably Robert’s trees. If you’re familiar with his distinctive touch and vision, … Continue reading A Man With a Mission (and a Vision)

Eccentric Bonsai #3 & Contest #8

I won’t say where juniper (looks like a shimpaku) bonsai came from, but will say why we choose it as an eccentric bonsai (see below) after an apology for it being slightly out of focus (it was enlarged a tad too much so it would fit our format). The contest: win a $25 gift certificate to Stone Lantern The first person to tell us whose tree this is and where we can verify that, will win a $25 gift certificate to Stone Lantern. Please put your answer in the comments below. Eccentric? I realize that eccentric is in the bleary … Continue reading Eccentric Bonsai #3 & Contest #8