Bill Valavanis
Excuse Me While I Wipe the Egg Off My Face
Here’s a little note that I just received from Bill Valavanis I was just looking at your new tool and am wondering something. A few years ago in Japan I got a new tool which looks exactly like yours, but it’s for air layering. It has two sets of parallel blades, I can’t tell if yours has one pair or two. So I was just wondering if yours is actually an air layering tool or bark removal tool. And here’s my somewhat red-in-the-face reply Hi Bill. I think you are on to something and now I feel a little slow … Continue reading Excuse Me While I Wipe the Egg Off My Face
Planning Ahead: The 2nd U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition
Coming soon! The first U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition in 2008 was a striking success (we have the album to prove it) and the second will no doubt take another large step towards bringing the North American bonsai community together and placing it on the world bonsai map. Be a sponsor, be an exhibitor, or simply go Stone Lantern will once again be a sponsor and you can join us if you are inclined to add a little extra push to this most worthy venture. You can also apply to show your favorite tree. Or, lacking either of those, you can … Continue reading Planning Ahead: The 2nd U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition
Mission of Transformation is rapidly approaching
This powerful tray planting leaves little doubt that Robert Steven is a brilliant bonsai and penjing artist. From Mission of Transformation. It’s on shore and on its way A truck bearing Robert Steven’s new book, Mission of Transformation, will be ascending our long dirt driveway any day now (maybe today!). Walter Pall “Tradition is not the conservation of ashes but the propagation of fire. Robert Steven certainly is propagating the fire. What was started in his first book, Vision of My Soul… is put into practice here in this book. I dare to say that this book will become a … Continue reading Mission of Transformation is rapidly approaching
Robert Steven: Mission of Transformation
Coming soon Robert Steven’s long awaited new book Mission of Transformation has just pulled out of port for it’s halfway round the world journey from Indonesia to Vermont. We hope to see it pull up to our warehouse sometime in August (no guarantees!). While we (and you) are waiting, we’re offering a pre-order, pre-pay special at $49. (retail $55.), with double discounts during our book sale. Here’s what a few bonsai notables have to say about it: “I am certain bonsai artists from around the globe will find “Mission of Transformation” a valuable addition to their reference library because it … Continue reading Robert Steven: Mission of Transformation
Back Savers #3: Plan Ahead for Shohin Symposium
Koto Hime Dwarf Japanese maple (Acer palmatum ‘Koto Hime’). Bill Valavanis started this sturdy shohin maple from an airlayer taken in June 1986. Height 11 inches, Tokonome pot. 2009 Shohin Bonsai Symposium, Rochester NY. Bill Valavanis’ Shohin Symposium is coming up soon (September). Shohin artists from around the world will be teaching and displaying their talents and enthusiasm for your enjoyment and benefit. Nobuichi Urushibata, Peter Warren, Julian Adams… Harvey Carapella, Sean Smith, Suthin Sukosolvisit, Erik Wigert, Jack Wikle, Bill Valavanis (and you?) will be on hand. And, of course. a host of bonsai friends to hang and play with … Continue reading Back Savers #3: Plan Ahead for Shohin Symposium
1st U.S. Bonsai Exhibition Album is on its Way!
Commemorative Album, 1st U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition, 2008 I just received my advance copy of this much awaited book, and I’m almost speechless. Well, for me almost speechless might be a stretch, but I am very excited. And very, very impressed. Everything about this new book is spot on, including the undeniable proof it provides that American bonsai can take its place on the world bonsai stage. My hat is way off (balding head glowing with excitement) to Bill Valavanis and everyone else involved. Our shipment of Albums is due in early June. Meanwhile, you can visit our website to … Continue reading 1st U.S. Bonsai Exhibition Album is on its Way!
Artofbonsai Nursery Stock Bonsai Gallery
Sinuous root style Rockspray Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster horizontalis) in splendid fall color, by Bill Valavanis of International Bonsai. When I first started playing with bonsai almost thirty years ago, nurseries were bonsai stock gold mines. Now, because bonsai enthusiasts have caught on, old forgotten potential bonsai are a little harder to to find. But don’t lose heart, they are still there. You just have to look a little harder. Bill Valavanis’ sweet sinuous root Cotoneaster (above) is one of many bonsai from nursery stock currently feature on Artofbonsai.org. Some other well-known featured artists are: Walter Pall, Morten Albek (author of Shohin … Continue reading Artofbonsai Nursery Stock Bonsai Gallery
Bill Valavanis’ House Fire
Bill Valavanis, one of North America’s preeminent bonsai artists, teachers and publishers, lost his house to a fire this January. In addition to the hardship and loss suffered by Bill and his family, valuable antique bonsai books and other irreplaceable materials were lost. Fortunately, Bill’s nursery, which is next to his house, was undamaged. From conversations I’ve had with Bill, I’d say that his always energetic and passionate enthusiasm was also undamaged.