Contest critique #4: Uncontrived & Natural

This elegant five tree planting was submitted by Michelle Dougherty (Bunjin Journal). A simple, natural look If you’ve been following our Great Debate posts, you know that some people see a dichotomy between naturalistic and traditional bonsai. If I had to put Michelle’s drawing into one of these two groups, it would be naturalistic. Though the placement of the trees may or may not have been influenced by traditional Japanese guidelines (the odd number certainly conforms), the overall effect seems uncontrived and natural.

Contest Critique #3: First Thought, Best Thought

This simple entry by João Pires reminds me of the sumi brush paintings from long ago and far away (at least as long ago as the origins of bonsai and as far away as the wild and rugged Yellow Mountains of China). A few simple strokes Perhaps the best way to approach this kind of art is just first thought, best thought. So here goes: I like its simplicity and movement. With a few brush strokes you have an old pine clinging to sheer cliff. That and a lot of space for your imagination to roam. Anyone else? This is … Continue reading Contest Critique #3: First Thought, Best Thought

Contest Critique #2: More of a Dream

This was the first entry in our contest. It’s from Jim(?). We had posted a bonsai paint-by-numbers (see image and explanation below) as a starting point for the contest and Jim is the only entrant to use it. A troubled slumber Here’s what Jim has to say about his entry: “First eh? Well here’s my entry. It’s more of a dream than an entry. I awoke from a troubled slumber and put it down really. My eyes were thick with crust and my heart racing. Hope everyone likes it.” Sense of humor I think sense of humor is way up … Continue reading Contest Critique #2: More of a Dream

Contest Critique #1: Slanting in the Rain

This painting was submitted by John Burrows of Burrows Art. The paintings on John’s site are oils, so I assume this is also an oil painting. Feel free I’ve decided to critique each entry before I decide on a winner. Feel free to disagree (or agree) with my comments. Just remember that it is not my intention to offend anyone. First the good news I find the overall feeling of John’s painting (above) to be harmonious and pleasing (the same goes for the paintings on his site), and I think the suggestion of rain ads fluidity and a sense of … Continue reading Contest Critique #1: Slanting in the Rain

Get Out Your Brushes: Only Three Days Left!

You can view this forest and other bonsai paintings by Kim Straus at Artist/Rising. Take your time, but hurry up! Paintings, drawings, digital art, bonsai tattoos; the choice is yours. But don’t wait (and miss your chance for widespread fame and even better, a fifty dollar gift certificate to Stone Lantern), there are only three days left. Don’t be afraid Respect and admiration await, so don’t be afraid. You can submit the link to your masterpiece (or hack job – I like a good joke) in the comments below.

Contest #6: Bonsai Paintings Revisited

Roy Lichtenstein may have known painting but I’m not so sure he knew bonsai. The tree is strange, the pot is strange and too small, it’s in a place that makes no sense, even temporarily. Still, he’s Roy Lichenstein and he was rich and famous and probably wouldn’t have cared what I think. And, if he could enter this painting in our contest, (you can ignore the ‘paint by numbers’ idea if you want) it would be taken seriously. I borrowed the image from SoHo Art. You too can become rich and famous Well, rich might be a stretch, and … Continue reading Contest #6: Bonsai Paintings Revisited

Contest #6: Paint-by-Numbers!!??

The image that was in this space has been removed at the request of the artist. My apologies for any problems we’ve caused for the artist or anyone else. I picked this image up on Bunjin Journal. It’s a strange and wonderful site, with some parts just wonderful and some parts wonderfully strange. The image originally came from The Art of Bonsai Project. Be brave! You have one month. You can print and paint then scan it, or you can color using Illustrator. Or you can do something else. Anyway, just do it. Be brave! It’ll be fun and you … Continue reading Contest #6: Paint-by-Numbers!!??

Contest #5: We’ve got a Winner (Sort of)

Still a mystery I lifted this shohin black pine is from the American Shohin-Bonsai Association gallery. I couldn’t find who the artist is anywhere (and their contact link isn’t working), so I figured if I used it for our contest, someone would let me know. No such luck, so it’s still a mystery to me. No longer Mr. Second Place! However. two people did answer some of the of questions correctly (at least I think they were correct; the site doesn’t say anything, so I’m guessing). Of the two Vinicius Costa (formerly known as ‘Mr. Second Place’) was first, so … Continue reading Contest #5: We’ve got a Winner (Sort of)

Contest Deadline; Midnight Friday Night

It’s time to wrap up our latest contest. Submit your answers (if you have any) by 11:59pm EDT (Eastern Daylight Time, USA), Friday the 24th. If no one comes up with all the correct answers, then whoever comes closest is the lucky one. Ties go to the earliest submission. Good luck!

Contest #5: Mystery Bonsai

It’s a mystery to me Though I can tell you where I found this tree (not yet though), and I do know the species, I genuinely don’t know who the artist is (he/she doesn’t seem to be listed on the site). So maybe you can help me, and win a twenty five dollar gift certificate to Stone Lantern in the process. Be the first to correctly answer all four of these questions and you’ll be declared the winner 1. the name of the artist 2. the species and sub-species (if applicable) of the tree 3. the height of the tree, … Continue reading Contest #5: Mystery Bonsai