Michael Hagedorn on Boon’s Intensives

Michael Hagedorn working at one of Boon’s intensives. From Bonsai Boon. A little background I stumbled across this article (below) by Michael Hagedorn while whiling away some time exploring Bonsai Boon. Michael is now recognized as one of our most accomplished bonsai artists, authors and teachers, and Boon, in addition to being one of Michael’s teachers and a first rate bonsai artist, has long been a key player in establishing and furthering the art of bonsai in North America. In Michael’s own words “I first met Boon Manakitivipart some years ago at a bonsai convention. He was energetic and animated, … Continue reading Michael Hagedorn on Boon’s Intensives

Tree + Pot = Bonsai

This sinuous shimpaku by Boon Manakitivipart (Bonsai Boon) is an excellent example of how to harmonize a tree with a pot. Not only does the rusty orange/tan (what is that color called?) pot color highlight the cinnamon colored bark, but the soft curves of pot enhance the trunk’s soft curves as well as the overall soft roundness of the foliage. As an added touch, the high shine on the pot helps bring out the bark’s almost glowing quality. Altogether a very sweet effect. What do you think? I’m not an expert and my opinion is just my opinion (opinions are … Continue reading Tree + Pot = Bonsai

Bay Island Bonsai Exhibit Coming Up Soon

I picked this photo and the text below off of Bonsai Tonight. The same photo and info appears on Bay Island Bonsai’s site. If you are anywhere near the Bay Area, you might want to check the Exhibit out. Meanwhile, if you know anything about this remarkable tree, please let me know. Bay Island Bonsai Exhibit and Auction at a new location with bigger facility Hall of Commerce, Alameda County Fairgrounds, 4501 Pleasanton Avenue, Pleasanton, 94566. Admission $ 5.00. Free Parking. Same great auction on Saturday, with preview at noon and auction at 1 PM. Guided tours of the exhibit … Continue reading Bay Island Bonsai Exhibit Coming Up Soon

Bonsai Boon: A Sierra Juniper’s Eight Year Journey

After. January, 2009 at Bay Island Bonsai’s show “An Exhibit of Fine Bonsai.” If you go to Styling on Bonsai Boon you can see how Boon got from before (below) to here. Another example of a formidable bonsai artist’s expertise We’ve featured Boon Manakitivipart on this blog before, and for good reason. He’s a highly accomplished bonsai artist and teacher whose enthusiasm and skill has influenced a generation of aspiring Western bonsai artists. If you are serious about improving your skills, you might want to check out Boon’s intensives. Before. June 2001. Sierra juniper (no doubt collected somewhere in California’s … Continue reading Bonsai Boon: A Sierra Juniper’s Eight Year Journey

Bonsai Tonight and Best in Show

This California juniper was awarded the Best in Show 2009 at the Midori Bonsai Club‘s 40th annual show. It belongs to Peter Tea and comes to us via Bonsai Tonight (a great name for blog that lives up to it). The photo was taken by Jonas Dupuich, Bonsai Tonight’s author. A tree with a story In addition to the strikingly unusual section of deadwood that looks like it’s leaning against the trunk, this remarkable tree has its own story that involves some bonsai luminaries (Boon and Michael Hagedorn for instance), Boon’s backyard, styling questions and more. Check it out if … Continue reading Bonsai Tonight and Best in Show

Mystery Tree Contest Winners?

Here’s a photo of Boon Manakitivipart with the (no longer a mystery) Mystery Tree from his website Bonsai Boon. If you look at the original post (5/5/09) the contest was: the first person who posts the name of the person who took the photo and where it is on the internet, wins a $25.00 gift certificate to Stone Lantern’s web store. What I didn’t anticipate was that someone would tell me where it was on the internet and someone else would tell me who took the photo.