There’s still time for you Nineteen people have judged our Bonsai Art Contest so far. Not bad, but not over yet. There’s still time for you to weigh in. Sales! And, while we are at it, just a friendly reminder that we still have sales on books, magazines and netsuke going on. I know we’ve had lots of sales the last year or so (our answer to a weak economy), but don’t assume they will continue at the same frequency, or at the same deep discounts.
Goshin by John Yoshio Naka. This famous tree resides at the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum in Washington DC. Photos will never do it justice. It is huge (about 1 meter tall – just over 3 feet) and is so dramatic in person that it almost seems to vibrate with power. This photo, by Peter Bloomer is originally from Timeless Trees by Peter and Mary Bloomer. It also appears on the cover of Bonsai Today issue 93, an issue that features a tribute to the life and works of John Naka. No borders in bonsai Helen Searle recently sent me … Continue reading No Borders In Bonsai
Judge our $100 Bonsai Art Contest and win a $30.00 Judge’s Gift Certificate to Stone Lantern for the best judges comments (comments are optional; see below under ‘How can you win….’). The basics The 13 bonsai art entries below (placed roughly in the order we received them) have been entered in our $100 Bonsai Art Contest. The winner will be determined when 25 judges have sent in their decisions, or by April 30th (whichever comes first). Anyone can judge (see below if you entered in the contest), but only one time per person.
This stellar saikei by Johnny Uchida was sent to us by Noah (no last name). Johnny Uchida is the owner of Grove Way Nursery in Hayward, California (East Bay, SF Bay Area). Noah’s comments Here what Noah has to say about this planting: “This saikei was done by Johnny Uchida of Grove Way Bonsai as an example for beginning students who were learning to make their own saikeis and he gave me permission to share them. Mr. Uchida is also the sensei of Yamato Bonsai Kai in Northern California. The trees are cryptomeria and hinoki cypress and the composition is … Continue reading Johnny Uchida’s Superb Saikei
Drawing by Youri Boerlage. Youri didn’t write anything about this, but it looks like a juniper with some very wild jin and shari. Drawing by Matt Cooke’s girlfriend. This is a sketch my girlfriend did for me. As I was busy repotting in early March she had to keep herself entertained. (thus the playful comments). I believe it is pen and water pencil. The drawing is of my recently acquired mountain hemlock yamadori. (Tsuga mertensiana) Drawing by Pongsatorn Kanthaboon. Pongasatorn’s only comment is that it’s a Juniperus procumbens. FYI: some common names are: Shore juniper. Procumben juniper, Japanese garden juniper. … Continue reading Last Four Entries $100 Bonsai Art Contest
We just received this from François Jeker. François is the author Bonsai Aesthetics and is an accomplished bonsai artist and teacher. He is particularly known for his skills in creating, carving and aging of deadwood. Bonsai Today featured a series of his articles on the topic (issues 103, 104 and 105). The bad news is that two of these issue are out of print. The good news is that we have been posting excerpts here on Bonsai Bark and plan on posting more in the future. I particularly like his article on aging deadwood which was featured in July of … Continue reading Juniper in Progress by François Jeker
Bonsai sketch by Paul Flegenschue. “Attached is a scan of a tree and scene I drew in my sketchbook when I was doing my undergraduate. I imagined the sketch as a Japanese maple during winter, showing its intricate branch ramification.” Cérigraphy by Gen. Submitted by Matthiew Quinn. “My girlfriend is taking cérigraphy courses (drawing stensils then shoting ink around them on a fabric of choice). She drew the bonsai of a picture off the web, then made it biger by drawing a couple more bonsai (making it biger each time) and finally got the big bonsai you see on the … Continue reading Eighth & Ninth Entries $100 Bonsai Art Contest
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
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
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