Prize Winners & Other Extraordinary North American Bonsai

The second place tree at the Artisans Cup (fall of 2015). It’s a Sierra Juniper that belongs to Tim Priest. The other winners are below Continuing with yesterday’s Sierra juniper theme (see the tree above). This post originally appeared here in March, 2016 (with a few updates today). It has been about two and one half years since the Artisans Cup, a ground breaking event at the Portland Art Museum that featured more jaw dropping bonsai than most people will ever see in one place. Roshi Tool Special Ends Tonight ALL OUR FAMOUS ROSHI BONSAI TOOLS 30% TO 40% OFF OUR LIST PRICES Special … Continue reading Prize Winners & Other Extraordinary North American Bonsai

The Tallest Trees in the World?

This Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii* subsp. glauca) is one of numerous extraordinary bonsai at Ryan Neil’s Bonsai Mirai (near Portland, Oregon). It was originally collected in the Rocky mountains by Randy Knight. It’s age is given as 100-250 years. Height is 36″ (91cm), width 52″ (132cm). Yesterday’s post got me thinking about Firs and it wasn’t a long trip from firs (Abies varieties) to Douglas firs (Pseudotsuga menziesii). So even though Douglas firs are not true firs, still, these photo are just too good to pass up NEW Deeper Discount 1 Kilo (2.2 lb) Bonsai Wire now only 16.00 … Continue reading The Tallest Trees in the World?

A Genuine Bonsai Pioneer, Roshi Tools, Bonsai Wire, Bonsai Soil & Flashing Back to the Artisans Cup

Close up of Dan Robinson’s Mountain hemlock, taken on my cell at the Artisans Cup. In SF now in the midst of another short family vacay, so to save precious time we’ll dig back to October 2015 at the Artisan’s Cup. We featured Dan Robinson’s bonsai and digs a couple posts ago, so continuing in the same vein… Continued below… Roshi Bonsai Tool Sale 30% off 2 or more roshi tools roshi sets the standard for affordable high quality bonsai tools 30% off 2 or more roshi tools plus another 10% off orders 100.00 or more and FREE Shipping on … Continue reading A Genuine Bonsai Pioneer, Roshi Tools, Bonsai Wire, Bonsai Soil & Flashing Back to the Artisans Cup

Powerful Jaw Dropping Bonsai Six Months Later

The second place tree at last fall’s Artisans Cup. It’s a Sierra Juniper that belongs to Tim Priest. The other winners are below (if you’re wondering why we’re leading with the second place tree… we’ll we’ve already lead a post with the winner and I’m not so sure I care that much about winners (and by extension losers) anyway. Which begs the question… It has been a few days short of six months since the Artisans Cup; a ground breaking event at the Portland Art Museum that featured more powerful jaw dropping bonsai than most people will ever see in … Continue reading Powerful Jaw Dropping Bonsai Six Months Later

Another Immense Bonsai

This photo of what can only be described as a massive Sabina juniper was taken at Bonsaisense in Mallorca Spain, after two days of skillful transformation by Bjorn Bjorholm (and algunos amigos). Flashback. When I first glimpsed the tree above, I thought we were back at the Artisans Cup. I think this connection has a lot to do with this tree’s size and spread and just how many impressively large trees there were at the Cup. In case you wondering, the size of a bonsai isn’t what makes it worthy or not worthy. Still, size does add dramatic effect. Especially … Continue reading Another Immense Bonsai

The Artisans Cup – Bonsai Past Present & Future

Look familiar? As an encouragement for you to visit the Artisans Cup website and see for yourself, we’ll break with our tradition and not identify the trees or their owners in this post. We just received a press release from Ryan Neil. It’s about the Artisans Cup, one of the most exciting and innovative bonsai events yet. Anywhere. But Ryan’s press release is not just about what has already happened, it’s also about the future of the Cup and of bonsai. But rather than me telling you about it, we’ll let Ryan speak for himself… “The Artisans Cup, the premier showcase of American bonsai that took place at … Continue reading The Artisans Cup – Bonsai Past Present & Future

Subtle yet Simple

Sweet tree, nice pot and brilliant fall color. But do you know what kind of tree it is? Mark Arpag (it’s his tree) doesn’t say, but based on the leaves and the bark, I’m going with Chinese elm. If I’m right, this is tree is quite small (Chinese elm leaves are tiny). One thing I like about Mark Arpag’s bonsai is that they are so accessible. Unlike many of Kimura’s most phenomenal bonsai for example, or the monster first prize tree at the recent Artisans Cup, ordinary bonsai enthusiasts might imagine styling trees like Mark’s. This is not say Mark’s … Continue reading Subtle yet Simple

Judging Bonsai at the Cup: The Limits of the Point System

Eric Schikowski’s collected Mountain Hemlock was one of my favorites. It was also Peter Warren’s first choice. I borrowed this photo and the one below from Eric Shrader’s PHUTU blog. I was going to give the Cup a rest for awhile until I ran across this thorough, thoughtful and thought provoking article on Eric Shrader’s PHUTU (one of the best blogs I’ve had the good fortune to stumble upon lately). We’ll start with a disclaimer two disclaimers: First, what follows takes nothing away from the winners. All four (third place was a tie) are great bonsai and worthy of accolades. … Continue reading Judging Bonsai at the Cup: The Limits of the Point System

A Breakthrough U.S. Bonsai Event & Credit Where Credit Is Due

Ryan Neil’s massive Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii). This (pick your adjective) tree was not part of the bonsai display area, but rather sat alone in an inner lobby that you passed through on the way out of the display area. There’s no way that you can appreciate just how massive it is, and though I didn’t think to pace it off at the time, by memory (a risky proposition at best), I’d reckon that it must be about six or seven feet (approx 2 meters) across. A thanks and a tribute to Ryan Neil and friends for the just completed … Continue reading A Breakthrough U.S. Bonsai Event & Credit Where Credit Is Due

The Artisans Cup, off the Top & Sleep Deprived

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, … Continue reading The Artisans Cup, off the Top & Sleep Deprived