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.