I’m not so sure this planting would attract much attention when contrasted with the higher caste bonsai that you see in top exhibitions, but there’s something uncontrived and natural about it that seems almost wholesome (is that the right word?), especially its lush green canopy. It’s from Bonsai Do. Unfortunately unattributed and unidentified. There is however, this accompanying quote by Chief Seattle that is attributed: “Every part of the earth is sacred to my people. Every shining pine needle, every sandy shore, every mist in the dark woods, every clear and humming insect is holy in the memory and experience of my people.”
Just a quick post; one bonsai, one pot and some events that you might be interested in (for more check this earlier post).
Show us yours. To share your favorite upcoming bonsai event, just put the details with a link in the comments below.
Close up of Andy Pearson’s Tianlong Dragon pot. I originally discovered it on Yamadori and Bonsai Material by Tony Tickle, one of the more creative and enjoyable bonsai websites.
Fell asleep at the switch and missed my chance to post something about the famous Noelanders Trophy, before the event, which as it happens, is going on in Belgium right now.
Swindon Winter Image Bonsai Show is coming to the jolly old U.K. soon.
The Mid-Atlantic is coming to Pennsylvania April 19-21.
Another Mid; The 36th Mid-America Bonsai Exhibit is coming to Chicago on the 3rd weekend of August, 2013.
Found this great photo on my visit (above) to Tony Tickle’s site and couldn’t resist.
Absolutely love the forest planting. So natural. Maybe it doesn’t conform with all the traditional criteria but how many forests in nature do in fact conform. It carries me back to the woods I used to play in when I was a child, many many years ago and would have pride of place in my collection. Don’t know who created it but my congratulations for a stunning natural masterpiece that I could spend hours just looking at.
Thanks Peter,
Agreed. So natural and refreshing to see something that appears a little more artless (‘free from artifice’) that what we usually see. I don’t think it violates tradition, just that it’s not highly refined like so many bonsai you see. Even a lot of what’s called naturalistic bonsai are refined, even though the best of them (see Walter Pall for example) are very good and the refinement is mostly hidden by the skill of the artist.
Hi Wayne,
I’ve seen that forest planting here: http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/artscience/2012/09/picture-perfect-bonsai/
One of my absolute favorites!
Thanks Matt, looks like you’ve tracked it down.
Here’s the caption with an obvious error:
This 40-year-old Sargent juniper from the Pacific Rim Bonsai Collection in Washington, D.C., resembles a mature forest. However, the plant measures only 35 inches tall. Courtesy of Jonathan Singer.
Read more: http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/artscience/2012/09/picture-perfect-bonsai/#ixzz2ItJZf1JU
Follow us: @SmithsonianMag on Twitter
Stop and think: how often do you see juniper used as forest material? And so well.