No Borders In Bonsai

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

Johnny Uchida’s Superb Saikei

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

Juniper in Progress by François Jeker

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

Eccentric Bonsai Half Way Round the World

I found this unusual little gem in Shohin Bonsai Europe’s Guest Gallery. It’s by Tedy Boy (that’s what it says) of Indonesia. The crown and the rest of the foliage seem to be almost disembodied, like floating in space. I think that’s because you can’t see where it attaches to the trunk. To add to the eccentric flavor, the background and funky plastic stand (upside down tub?) are pink. It’s not everyday you see a bonsai with a pink stand shot against a pink background. BTW: it’s a Phemna microphylla. Unusual: good Some of the the trees we show in … Continue reading Eccentric Bonsai Half Way Round the World

A Moveable Feast European Style

Old Rosemary plants abound in Europe, so you’d expect to see some pretty good old Rosemary bonsai, and this semi-cacade certainly qualifies. It doesn’t hurt that it’s in a very cool pot. This photo is from Bonsai Today issue 85. Unfortunately, I don’t have the artist’s name with me (I’m traveling) so I can’t attribute. Anyone out there know? Still on the road (thus the movable part of the title) I’m still traveling so thought I’d just pluck this European gallery out of one of the folders I have on my desktop for just such occasions. Unfortunately, I can’t attribute … Continue reading A Moveable Feast European Style

Backyard Bonsai #7: Vaughn Banting’s Passion

The entrance gate to one of Vaughn Banting’s bonsai courtyards. Come on in… Vaughn Banting Vaughn Banting was an artist, an adventurer and a friend to many people around the world. He was famous in Louisiana bonsai circles (and circles well beyond) for his passion for bonsai. He was both a professional and an avid enthusiasts that devoted much of his life to bonsai, from his teenage years to his untimely passing in 2008. Comprising a life You can visit Vaughn’s website for a journey through his life and work. In addition to photos of Vaughn’s bonsai (his nursery and … Continue reading Backyard Bonsai #7: Vaughn Banting’s Passion

Eccentric Bonsai: A Very Wild Mugo Pine

Almost like magic. This wild and wonderful mugo pine showed up on facebook a few weeks ago. It was posted by Bonsai Creativo School and Academy. Wild, wonderful and no so traditional There are at least two things that come to mind when I look at this wild mugo pine. First, that it represents a break with traditional bonsai styles, particularly traditional Japanese bonsai. It just doesn’t look like what bonsai used to look like not too long ago. The second thing about it is that it’s a mugo pine. It wasn’t too long ago that the only pines you’d … Continue reading Eccentric Bonsai: A Very Wild Mugo Pine

Relaxing at the Bonsai Cafe

This colorful succulent growing in a rock is by Peter Landerloos. It’s from Bonsai Cafe. Bonsai Cafe I lifted the photos in this post from Bonsai Cafe. It features some pretty good bonsai from Western bonsai artists. Definitely worth a visit if you get a chance. It’s not very often you see a bonsai this size with such a massive trunk. It’s by Colin Lewis. Colin lives and runs his bonsai business (Colin Lewis Bonsai Art and Ho Yoku School of Bonsai) right here in New England. I think this sweet little Shohin might be a Needle juniper. It’s by … Continue reading Relaxing at the Bonsai Cafe

Eccentric Bonsai: Isao Omachi’s Radical Tree

Check out the meandering living vein on this wonderful crazy work in progress by Isao Omachi. It showed up on facebook the other day and instantly grabbed my imagination and got me thinking about how he could have done it (the living vein part, that is). Perhaps there’s a clue in something that Masahiko Kimura (The Magician) did years ago in a chapter entitled ‘Kimura Flips (a Tree Upside Down)’ in our Masters’ Series Juniper book (below). Here’s the Kimura tree that he flipped upside down. It originally appeared in Bonsai Today issue 21 (out of print). Pirates At least … Continue reading Eccentric Bonsai: Isao Omachi’s Radical Tree

Eccentric Bonsai: Two Trees by Budi

This tree isn’t exactly eccentric. Just powerful, handsome and unique. It’s by Budi Sulistyo and graces the cover of his excellent tropical bonsai gallery book (you can see the whole cover below). Such a contrast I think this next tree (below), also by Budi, falls into the eccentric category. This ficus microcarpa by Budi Sulisyo from an album entitled ‘Stone Pot’.