An Unusual Bonsai by An Unusually Gifted Bonsai Artist

Though it’s not as powerful as many other Kimura trees (see below), nor is it considered one of his classics, still… there’s that unusual trunk that give pause for thought. It’s a Japanese Yew that appears in The Bonsai Art of Kimura (long out of print). There is no explanation given for how the trunk was formed. Is it possible that Kimura split the original trunk and doubled it back on itself? It’s Saturday morning, the leaves are turning and it’s a beautiful day. Time to dig into our archives and then get outside and enjoy Vermont at its best. … Continue reading An Unusual Bonsai by An Unusually Gifted Bonsai Artist

Slow Learners and the Gradual Path

It has been a while since we’ve shown this familiar wood paneling from Michael Hagedorn’s workshop. BTW: the tree is a Limber pine styled by Michael and friends. Whenever I visit Michael Hagedorn’s Crataegus Bonsai Blog I’m impressed with Michael’s knack for simplicity (this view was reinforced when I studied with him for a few days last year). An important part of this simplicity is less concern with earth shaking transformations and more inclination to the long view with slower more natural development (you can visit Crataegus Bonsai and see if you agree). This long view is especially good for … Continue reading Slow Learners and the Gradual Path

An Act of Daring Departure

A once in a life time bonsai event. The deadline for registration for the International Bonsai Art & Culture Biennale 2014 is the 30th of September. I know that not everyone can make it to Indonesia for Robert Steven’s International Bonsai Art & Culture Biennale, but some of you can. And it’s not too late to register and go. A little spontaneity may be required, but what’s life without occasional daring departures from routine? Maybe you can catch this plane to the Biennale. This is one of my favorite Robert Steven bonsai (one of many favorites). It’s a famous … Continue reading An Act of Daring Departure

The Next Best Thing…

This photo from the 3rd U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition Album is a good example of the quality photos you’ll find in all of the U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition Albums. The tree is an old Japanese yew (Taxus cuspidata) from the Pacific Rim Bonsai Collection. It’s one of 248 fine bonsai that are featured in the 3rd U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition Album. The photos that we’ve been featuring from last weekend’s 4th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition are not the final ones. The official high quality professional photos will appear in 4th Exhibition Album and nowhere else (stay posted). Enjoying the photos in … Continue reading The Next Best Thing…

Winners! Part 2

ABS North American Award. Finest North American Native Species Bonsai. Rocky Mountain Juniper. Brian Hollowell. There were lots of great native North American trees at the show, but this dynamic beauty with its snaky swirls of dead and live wood stood out. Yesterday we posted some of the winners from the 4th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition. Now we’ve got the rest for you (all the photos are borrowed from Bill Valavanis’ excellent blog). Once again, kudos to Bill and his crew for a great show. While we’re at it, just a reminder that photographs, though valuable, are mere shadows of … Continue reading Winners! Part 2

Winners! Part 1

The National Award, Finest Bonsai Masterpiece. American Elm. Suthin Sukolosovisit. We might as well start at the top. Not only is it a great broom style bonsai and the award couldn’t have gone to a more accomplished bonsai artist, but it’s the leaf size that must have caused a double take by anyone who knows American elms (see below). Bill Valavanis has posted all the winning bonsai from the 4th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition, so there’s really no need stay here unless you want to suffer through my remarks (and view photos that were slightly enlarged to fit our format). … Continue reading Winners! Part 1

The Home Stretch

What’s in a name? This delightful Eastern red cedar, like most of the trees we call cedars, is not really. It’s a juniper (Juniperus virginiana). It belongs to Juan Calderon. The photo is from the 2008 1st U.S. National Exhibition. Now, six short years later, it’s time for the 4th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition. You know how sometimes you wish you had been somewhere when something important happened but you didn’t find the time or energy to pull it together, and then later, as word gets out about what you had missed, you wonder why and maybe even kick yourself … Continue reading The Home Stretch

Off the Couch and on to North America’s Premier Bonsai Event

I’ve never seen a Rosemary bonsai that looks quite like this one. To my eye the deadwood and the way the branching and foliage are styled is reminiscent of an old yamadori Shimpaku from Japan. This remarkable tree belongs to Peter Warren, one of the headliners at this weekends 4th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition. Peter will be tackling a well-known and well-traveled old White cedar bonsai on Sunday. The result will be auctioned at the conclusion of the demonstration. Two more good reason for you to head to Rochester NY this weekend. Hiroyoshi Yamaji and Peter Warren are two of … Continue reading Off the Couch and on to North America’s Premier Bonsai Event

Trees Don’t Lie! Marco Invernizzi Rides a Wave of General Enthusiasm

We’ve shown this Japanese yew by Marco Invernizzi before, but a bonsai this good is always worth another look. I’ve been wanting to publish this interview with Marco Invernizzi every since I first saw it at Bonsai Prelude a couple months ago, but have been waiting on our next batch of Marco’s (and Masakuni’s) famous Ichiban all purpose bonsai tool. They arrived the other day (better late…) so the time is ripe (not that any time wouldn’t be ripe for the interview, just that we’re in this for love AND money). The interview was conducted by Dylan Fawcett. I don’t … Continue reading Trees Don’t Lie! Marco Invernizzi Rides a Wave of General Enthusiasm

Be There Or Else…

This image was taken from Bill Valavanis’ 4th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition website. If you are one of the three or four people who don’t know about this most important upcoming bonsai event, it’s time to educate yourself. The 4th U.S.National Bonsai Exhibition starts in eight days. We (that’s me) strongly suggest you be there or else you’ll miss the most important U.S. bonsai event since 2012 (the 3rd National Exhibition). It’s not too late to register and enjoy some of the best bonsai and most talented bonsai artists in North America (and beyond). This wonderful Sargent juniper planting belongs … Continue reading Be There Or Else…