The Artisans Cup, off the Top & Sleep Deprived 9/27/15

I took this photo with my phone so I'll apologize in advance by saying you can find superior photos elsewhere (and here later). I don't remember who the artist is and I won't bother to guess the variety (I'll  attribute as soon as I get things sorted out). This tree belongs to Doug Paul. It's a Douglas fir.

The Artisans Cup off the top and sleep deprived…
So many powerful jaw dropping bonsai,  people packed slowly moving through dark and luminous corridors, the best of North American trees, western yamadori telling stories of hardship and high mountain winds, Ryan greeting, hugging, thanking  everyone single one of us we file in, primal drumbeats (an earth shaking beginning), embarrassed names forgotten & remembered, so many trees like faces also forgotten and remembered, and again there’s that that lighting, bark, trunks, leaves, bonsai misidentified and corrected while leading and misleading neophyte friends though impromptu tours, the wonders of shockingly friendly Portland (we easterners tend to play it a little closer the the vest), a little but not enough needed rain, a long bus trip to the peaceful outdoor Pacific Bonsai Museum with friendly volunteers leading tours… exhaustion and pure joy.

Today, there will be another couple rounds with more neophyte friends and finally, a long slow stroll through the vendor’s tents. Tomorrow back to SF. Wednesday SF to Boston, Boston to Vermont.

My apologies for the lack of links and other important info. I’m late for a breakfast meeting. More to follow…

Borrowed this glimpse of a section of the show from Oscar (Bonsai Empire).

 

Closeup with my phone. I think it's a Yew. More later.

 

Close up of a Trident forest at the Pacific Bonsai Museum. More on this later.

 

Back to the Cup. I borrowed this photo from Scott Lee. More later.

Again, my apologies for the lack of links and other important info. I’m late for a breakfast meeting. More to follow…