This dynamic tree with its unusual trunk shaped liked the number 3 (this effect is enhanced by the fluid, brush stroke like movement that runs up and down the length of the trunk) belongs to Marcelo Michelotti. He calls it Il Sergente (see below).
Yesterday I stumbled upon the bonsai of Marcelo Michelotti, yet another of the talented bonsai artists that seem to be popping up everywhere lately. Marcelo lives and works in Alta Gracia, Argentina. All the photos shown here are from his facebook feed.
A lovely confusion of names. Marcelo calls the tree above Il Sergente (the Sargent). You don’t see Shimpaku (Juniperus chinensis var. Shimpaku) referred to as Sargents juniper (Juniperus chinensis var. Sargenti) that often in bonsai circles, but I think that’s what happening here (we’ll leave the rest to you).
I like this powerful compact little tree, though I suspect there is more carving in its future. And of course, a real bonsai pot. Marcelo calls it Cipresso (Cyprus) though it looks a lot like a Juniper from here. Perhaps the Cipresso is in reference to the Juniperus genus being in the Cypress family (Cupressaceae).
Another tree in need of the right pot. Like the tree at the top of the post, this is also resting on a horizontal base that's a bit like a large foot. As you can see, it's a pine. Beyond that, your guess is as good as mine.
I like the twisty living veins on this Itoigawa shimpaku. I wonder if the foliage could be reduced a bit, though perhaps Marcelo was so taken with its lush beauty, that he couldn't bear taking any more off.
Marcelo calls this full cascade Sabina, which happens to be a variety of Juniper native to Europe. Given its powerful deadwood and striking movement (especially toward the tip), I suspect that it will be a show stopper once it's in the right pot.
You can see more of Marcelo's bonsai on facebook.
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