François Jeker Coming to Rosade Bonsai Studio

This soulful tree is exceptionally clean, fluid and well balanced; especially considering how far to the right it is leaning. I lifted it from François’ website. It looks like a very small needled pine, maybe a dwarf Scot’s of some kind, though I can’t really tell. Dead-on deadwood artist François Jeker does some of the most outrageous deadwood carving anywhere. If you don’t believe me, check this out. Or go to his site. Or buy his excellent book (en Espanol tambien). Or best of all, go see him at Rosade Bonsai Studio on May 15th. These illustrations by François give … Continue reading François Jeker Coming to Rosade Bonsai Studio

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

Some Serious New Bonsai Tools

Here’s some of our new tools (there are more) by Bonsai Aesthetics. From left to right: Rook hook, Extra large branch jack, Extra large branch bender, branch lever, and Large branch jack. Good tools and the price is right A few months ago we introduced some of Robert Steven‘s new line of bonsai tools. Robert is the author of Mission of Transformation and Vision of My Soul, and is one of the world’s most innovative bonsai artists. Like many of us, Robert realized that Japanese tools are gradually being priced out for many people, while Chinese tools are coming up … Continue reading Some Serious New Bonsai Tools

Jin & Shari #4 – Natural Aging

These four stages of natural aging on deadwood are from an article by François Jeker that appeared in Bonsai Today 103 (out of print). Francois is a accomplished bonsai artist (and deadwood master), gardener, author (Bonsai Aesthetics) and more. Stage one A freshly peeled branch or trunk will have completely smooth wood. Stage two Over the years, due to drying in the sun and wind, the wood will split into apical cracks (see below for more on apical growth and cracks). Stage three Much later, cracks that are perpendicular to the apical cracks will appear and form a “snakeskin” pattern. … Continue reading Jin & Shari #4 – Natural Aging

Back Yard Bonsai Displays #4: A Japanese Touch

This shot doesn’t exactly show off François Jeker’s bonsai (if you squint you can see them way in the back), but it does give you a pretty good idea of his artistry when it comes to building and maintaining a Japanese garden. Speaking of François Jeker Though François Jeker is well known for his masterful work with deadwood (see previous and future posts), his interest and skills stretch far beyond. The gardens and bonsai displays featured here attest to his sensibilities and deft touch, as does his benchmark book, Bonsai Aesthetics.

Jin & Shari #2: A Western Deadwood Artist

A detail of a Mugo pine (Pinus mugo, also called Swiss mountain pine) that was carved by François Jeker eight years before the photo was taken. François’ expert carving, and the sun, rain, wind and frost have combined to create a natural look and feel. The photo is from Bonsai Today issue 104 (out of print). François Jeker Though I’ve never met him and have only seen photos of him working and the results (like the one above), I suspect that François Jeker is one of the foremost experts, if not THE foremost expert, on deadwood in the West. If … Continue reading Jin & Shari #2: A Western Deadwood Artist

Deadwood Lives Beyond HBO: Jin & Shari

This stately Foemina Juniper (Juniperus chinensis ‘Foemina’) is a pretty good example of what you can do with jin and shari. It is part of the wonderful world class bonsai collection at the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum. It was donated by James (Jim) and Helen Barrett and currently resides in the John Y Naka North American Pavilion. What are Jin & Shari? Jin are dead branches (intentionally created or naturally occurring) that can lend of feeling of age and character to a bonsai. Shari is deadwood (sometimes called driftwood) on the trunk of a bonsai. Like jin, shari can … Continue reading Deadwood Lives Beyond HBO: Jin & Shari

Amazing Transformations

Norway spruce (Picea abies) by Francois Jeker. From his book Bonsai Aesthetics. You can learn a lot by studying photos of what other people have done. Especially if artist is very accomplished and you have before and after shots. Fortunately, one of our favorite European artists, Francois Jeker features just that on his website. Check it out, you won’t be disappointed.