A Dancer, a Famous Snake & Other Impressive Bonsai

The Dancer by Mauro Stemberger. Mauro’s caption reads: Never give up!!!! Swedish Scots pine “The Dancer.” You can see that Mauro is planning a new planting angle and most likely a new pot. You might imagine a bunjin type pot; shallow, round, maybe a little rough… Today I set out to put together a post on some rock plantings that were created during Mauro Stemberger’s recent (on-going?) trip to India. However, time wasn’t on my side, so I decided to wait until I could do a little more research. Meanwhile, to set the tone we’ll borrow this one from our … Continue reading A Dancer, a Famous Snake & Other Impressive Bonsai

Giving Thanks for Great Bonsai & Much More

This tree won First prize for the Finest Bonsai at the 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition. It’s a Mountain Hemlock,(Tsuga mertensiana) that belongs to Eric Schikowski. Photo courtesy of Bill Valavanis. It’s Thanksgiving today (U.S. American Thanksgiving that is, our friends just north of here celebrated theirs last month). I should be getting dressed and out the door, but before I go we’ll take a quick dip back into our archives. This one is from September. It was the first of many posts that were inspired by our 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition. Seems appropriate to the occasion. Just home … Continue reading Giving Thanks for Great Bonsai & Much More

Bonsai Art & the Art of Bonsai

The day has barely started and I’m already running out of superlatives. I guess spectacular will do in this case. It’s a Korean hornbeam (Carpinus turczaninowii) by Ian Stewartson. The photo is from Bonsai Art’s website. After three straight new posts it’s time to delve into our archives . This one originally appeared March 2013. Bonsai Art magazine is very well named. As bonsai magazines go, it is as well-done, beautiful and professional as they come. The problem, for most of us at least, is that it’s in German. But really, the photos and overall presentation are so good that … Continue reading Bonsai Art & the Art of Bonsai

Free, Unconstrained, Witty, Clever, Humorous & Unconventional

This elegant Bunjin style Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris) won Finest Natural Bonsai award at the 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition. It belongs to John Jaramillo. With Bunjin (Literati) style bonsai a certain sensitivity is required. Anything even a little forced or overdone or unnatural in any way, just won’t do. Thus, in the case of this tree, the award for the Finest Natural Bonsai is spot on. Here’s a quote on Bunjin by the illustrious John Naka (from a 2015 Bark post) “… Its appearance should not be too serious nor easy, it should be free, unconstrained, witty, clever, humorous … Continue reading Free, Unconstrained, Witty, Clever, Humorous & Unconventional

The 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition – Great Trees, Good People & the Real Winner Behind It All

First prize, the Finest Bonsai at the 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition. It’s a Mountain Hemlock,(Tsuga mertensiana) that belongs to Eric Schikowski. Photo courtesy of Bill Valavanis. Before we present the rest of the prize winning bonsai, I’d like to say something about first impressions and most importantly, the real winner of the Show, Bill Valavanis. Just home from the 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition and sorting through memories and notes while flashing mental images of great trees, good people and a still palpable sense of excitement. It will take a while to sort things out, so more to come… … Continue reading The 5th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition – Great Trees, Good People & the Real Winner Behind It All

Bonsai Art: Running Out of Superlatives

The day has barely started and I’m already running out of superlatives. I guess ‘spectacular’ will do in this case. It’s a Korean hornbeam (Carpinus turczaninowii) by Ian Stewartson. The photo is from Bonsai Art’s website. Getting ready for another cross country hop (west to east this time), so to save time we’ll pull something out of our archival hat once again. This one originally appeared March 2013. Bonsai Art magazine is very well named. As bonsai magazines go, it is as well-done, beautiful and professional as they come (taking nothing away from International Bonsai Magazine and several other good … Continue reading Bonsai Art: Running Out of Superlatives

Bonsai Alert: Have You Seen These Trees?

Alert. Have you seen this tree? This beautiful Birch bonsai was just stolen from Václav Stropek, who live in Nyrany in the Czech Republic. If you see it, please let Václav know ASAP. Our original intention was to feature some Birch bonsai, not to send out an alert for stolen trees. Now however, we’ll put a hold on the Birch post and focus on helping Václav Stropek (Nyrany, Czech Republic) recover his stolen bonsai (the birch above and the excellent pine shown below). If you live in or near the Czech Republic, please be aware that someone may try to … Continue reading Bonsai Alert: Have You Seen These Trees?

A Steady Stream of Good Bonsai to Choose From…

A little ‘after’ effect from a David Benavente ‘before and after’ on facebook. My only comment is that we don’t normally feature lead trees with an unfinished ‘wrapped in rafia’ look, but this little tree is so sweet, so why not? I just spent approximately 3 hours trying to decide on a post for today. Facebook, blogs, websites the whole e-catastrophe. Given that there’s a steady stream of good bonsai to choose from, sooner or later you have to surrender and just pick something. In this case, it’s David Benavente. He’s an old favorite and one of the very best. … Continue reading A Steady Stream of Good Bonsai to Choose From…

New Bonsai Blog & Two More Events

This magnificent Sumac belongs to Hiroshi Takeyama. You can read about it and other bonsai wonders on Bill Valavanis new bonsai blog. First the new blog… It’s Bill Valavanis’ latest bonsai venture and already (after five posts) I’m a fan. It’s aptly called Valavanis Bonsai Blog, Welcome To My Bonsai World. As you might expect the photos are great (there’s lots of them too) and the writing is good. But then, I’ve long appreciated Bill’s passion for and devotion to bonsai, so I’m not at all surprised by yet another effort to share that passion with the rest of us. … Continue reading New Bonsai Blog & Two More Events

Bonsai Art

The day has barely started and I’m already running out of superlatives. I guess ‘spectacular’ will do in this case. It’s a Korean hornbeam (Carpinus turczaninowii) by Ian Stewartson. The photo is from Bonsai Art’s website. Bonsai Art magazine is very well named. As bonsai magazines go, it is as well-done, beautiful and professional as they come (taking nothing nothing away from International Bonsai Magazine and several other good ones). The problem, for most of us at least, is that it’s in German. But really, the photos and overall presentation are so good that maybe the language isn’t as important … Continue reading Bonsai Art