That Relaxed, In-Synch Feeling

Aside from being a phenomenal tree and a great pot, there’s a relaxed in-synch feeling, like the pot and tree are old friends. This might have something to do with the color, texture, soft lines and aged look of each. The color and texture of the stand fits right in too, while contrast is provided by its sharp rectangular lines. All together a masterpiece. The artist is François Gau (pot by Greg Ceramics). All three photos in this post are from Parlons Bonsai (I took the liberty to crop all three to bring the trees closer). Yesterday we featured some … Continue reading That Relaxed, In-Synch Feeling

Bonsai Pot Master & Fall Potting Season

I don’t know who styled this wonderfully crazy azalea (I don’t read Japanese) but I do know that Master Potter Gyozan Nakano made the pot. Still out of the office (working at my unpaid job) so we’ll continue borrowing from our illustrious past. And as long as we’re delving into the archives, why not go all the way back to our first pot post. It’s from July, 2007. A remarkable book about a remarkable potter Four years ago (twleve years ago now) I was given a most remarkable book by the World Bonsai Friendship Federation, who received it courtesy of … Continue reading Bonsai Pot Master & Fall Potting Season

Which Pot Do You Prefer?

These four images were borrowed from Juraj Szabó on facebook. Juraj lives, works and plays in Slovakia. The tree is a Shimpaku juniper (Juniperus chinensis sargentii). Juraj doesn’t say where the pots came from, though a couple look like they might be either Tokoname or Yixing pots. Most of our previous Which Pot? posts have been lifted from Boon Manakitivipart, so it was nice to discover one from someone (and somewhere) else. Nothing against Boon’s offerings, he puts on a world class facebook bonsai show, just a nice change of pace. A couple details: First, it’s best if you put your … Continue reading Which Pot Do You Prefer?

Have There Ever Been So Many Great Boxwood Bonsai in One Place?

Aside from being a phenomenal tree and a phenomenal pot, there’s a relaxed in-synch feeling, like the pot and tree are old friends who have been together for a long time. This might have something to do with the color, texture, soft lines and aged look of each (and because they are both so phenomenal). The color and texture of the stand fits right in too, while a little contrast is provided by its sharp rectangular lines. All together a masterpiece. The artist is François Gau (pot by Greg Ceramics). All three photos in this post are from Parlons Bonsai … Continue reading Have There Ever Been So Many Great Boxwood Bonsai in One Place?

Great Pots Deserve Great Trees

Malpigia glabra (Barbados cherry) by Hsieh, Cheng-Hua. Still traveling so we’ll borrow one more from our archives (April 2011). In keeping with the last post, we’ll stick with Taiwanese bonsai. More Taiwanese Bonsai Here are three more bonsai from the 2008 Taiwan Bonsai Creators Exhibition booklet which appears on Bonsai Shari Si-Diao, Cheng, Cheng-Kung’s website. It’s the pots, as well the trees, that really grabbed me. Ficus microcarpa by Huang,Ching-Chi. Variety unlisted. By Tung, Wen Chi. Yixing Bonsai pots are available at Stone Lantern

Ceramic Art Disguised as Bonsai Pots

Deciding which one of Horst Heinzlreiter’s pots to show as the lead photo seems almost random, considering Horst is so prolific and all of his pots are worthy. The same goes for the six pots below. Numerous others as just as good, but you have to stop somewhere (for a whole slew of Horst’s pots, check out this facebook post). Sometimes it seems my function here is art curator (and sometimes art critic). I show you pictures of beautiful or unusual things (usually bonsai), make a few questionable comments and leave the rest to you. So here we go again, … Continue reading Ceramic Art Disguised as Bonsai Pots

Winter Sale Last Day & New Pots

Bonsai Pots. You may or may not know this, but we are now offering a very large selection of Yixing bonsai pots. I think Yixing pots are among the very best pots in the world. Especially when you consider the prices. Winter Sale. Today (January 31st) is the last day of our Winter Sale. Right now we have hundreds of items that are reduced below our normal low prices, and our usual volume discounts also apply. It’s not that we won’t keep some items on sale after this (we’ll always have deep discounts), but just not so many at once. … Continue reading Winter Sale Last Day & New Pots

The World’s Smallest Trees Need The World’s Smallest Bonsai Pots

Mini pots, by Jim Barrett. No doubt there are smaller bonsai pots somewhere, but still, these are almost down to the magnifying glass range. Two posts ago… … we featured some very small bonsai. This provoked a discussion about tiny pots where someone (Randy Davis of the Minnesota Bonsai Society) mentioned Jim Barrett pots. Though I am sure there are others who sell tiny pots (Robert Steven, a frequent contributor to Bonsai Bark, mentioned some that are made in China), this might provide a starting point for those of you who are interested. Brandywine The Brandywine Bonsai Society’s website includes … Continue reading The World’s Smallest Trees Need The World’s Smallest Bonsai Pots