Month: March 2010

Wire Sale: Someone, Somewhere, is Wiring

A close up of wired branches on a Japanese black pine. From Bonsai Today magazine (I don’t remember which issue). Time to Wire? Not all types of trees are typically wired at the same time of year. And all climates aren’t the same anyway; spring in San Diego comes at least three months before spring here in Vermont (not to mention the bottom half of the planet where everything is backwards) and so forth. It probably goes without saying that all people aren’t the same either. Some ignore the advice of others and just wire when they want. Others strictly … Continue reading Wire Sale: Someone, Somewhere, is Wiring

Seventh Entry $100 Bonsai Art Contest

Cedar elm forest painting by Donna L. Dobberfuhl.  “Here is my entry.  It is a 40″ x 30″ painting I did of “The Texas State Bonsai Exhibit” Cedar Elm Forest.  The bonsai is planted in a custom ordered Chinese pot of some 65″ long, The Forest is about 4′ tall.  I used the style of painting introduced by Chuck Close.  I am a sculptor by profession but exercise my mind with occasional painting projects.” We have a deadline! We already have ten entries (stay tuned for the rest) so, like all good things, it’s time to bring it home (mixed … Continue reading Seventh Entry $100 Bonsai Art Contest

Sixth Entry $100 Bonsai Art Contest

Bonsai Design by Patrick Giacobbe. Graphite on bristol board. It’s not too late for your entry! Send us yours and we’ll show the world what you are up to, and you just might win a $60. (or $30. or $10.) Gift Certificate to Stone Lantern. Contest details here

Eccentric Bonsai Half Way Round the World

I found this unusual little gem in Shohin Bonsai Europe’s Guest Gallery. It’s by Tedy Boy (that’s what it says) of Indonesia. The crown and the rest of the foliage seem to be almost disembodied, like floating in space. I think that’s because you can’t see where it attaches to the trunk. To add to the eccentric flavor, the background and funky plastic stand (upside down tub?) are pink. It’s not everyday you see a bonsai with a pink stand shot against a pink background. BTW: it’s a Phemna microphylla. Unusual: good Some of the the trees we show in … Continue reading Eccentric Bonsai Half Way Round the World

Fifth Entry $100 Bonsai Art Contest

Acer palmatum (Japanese maple) by Mars Healey of the Greater Hartford Bonsai Society. Keep ’em coming We still need at least two more to make our minimum (I had to reject two that were just photos of trees).  So ga’head and send us yours. Really! Contest details here Pirates At least one blog has been pirating our posts, lock stock and barrel; but without our links and without any attribution to bonsai bark, or Stone Lantern. If you are reading this on any website or blog that is not ours, and is not attributed to us, then it has been … Continue reading Fifth Entry $100 Bonsai Art Contest

Fourth Entry $100 Bonsai Art Contest

Bristlecone teapot, by Mike Viljak. Here’s what Mike has to say about it:  “Attached is a photo of a bristlecone-inspired teapot I made out of porcelain. The outside is glazed in raw wood ash, but fired in a gas kiln. The base is made of local clay I collected. When doing both ceramic art and bonsai, the two tend to inform each other in lots of ways.” There’s still time for you to enter But don’t wait too long. Entries are coming in at a brisk pace, so we’ll probably close the contest pretty soon (my best guess is about … Continue reading Fourth Entry $100 Bonsai Art Contest

Roy Nagatoshi Grafts Shimpaku Branches and Foliage onto a California Juniper

Shimpaku foliage grafted onto a California juniper by Roy Nagatoshi. All of the photos in this post are by Dale Berman. They originally appeared in Bonsai Today issue 108 in an article by Marcus Juniel. Shimpaku foliage on California junipers California juniper foliage is heavy and somewhat coarse (I think it looks fine on native stock, but Shimpaku foliage is beautiful and looks even better) and many bonsai artist opt to graft on Shimpaku foliage. Approach graft. The Shimpaku (scion) still has it roots in soil when it is joined with the stock. Once the graft has taken, it is … Continue reading Roy Nagatoshi Grafts Shimpaku Branches and Foliage onto a California Juniper

Third Entry $100 Bonsai Art Contest

Jimmy Le sent this entry in. He didn’t say anything about the medium or really anything at all, except “Here’s my entry Wayne.” If there’s anything else you’d like to say Jimmy, please don’t hesitate. Update: Jimmy just sent this (3/10/10): “I didn’t realize i needed to email a description as well, but this sketch was done while I was sitting in class, I was inspired to draw this because of a Hollywood Juniper i saw at Bonsai West in Littleton Massachusetts.” Our $100.00 Bonsai Art Contest Back in mid-February we started yet another contest. This one has generous prizes; … Continue reading Third Entry $100 Bonsai Art Contest

Second Entry $100 Bonsai Art Contest

Here’s Ken To’s entry. And here’s what Ken has to say about it: “Here is my entry for the art contest.  This is a wire bonsai sculpture made entirely from 24 gauge wire.  It’s planted in a high quality Japanese mame bonsai pot.  I made this as a surprise present for my wife on Valentine’s day.  Just in time for the contest! “ Our $100.00 Bonsai Art Contest Back in mid-February we started yet another contest. This one has generous prizes; generous enough to maybe motivate you to enter (see below). Check out the details here and give it a … Continue reading Second Entry $100 Bonsai Art Contest