Critiquing a Surrealistic Bonsai

After. Robert Steven’s simulation of a photo submitted by Wayan (see below). Here’s another Robert Steven critique from our archives (July, 2011). I picked this one for a couple good reasons: first the tree is uniquely challenging, with it’s mammoth, mountain-like trunk, and second, there’s a great discussion about it with the original. I invite you to take a look. What a difference a pot makes. Though Robert doesn’t mention it in his critique (below), introducing a shallow pot, rather than the original clunky and rather unattractive pot, instantly transforms the whole tree. Nothing outside the box, just a simple … Continue reading Critiquing a Surrealistic Bonsai

Another Outstanding Bonsai Critique by Robert Steven

Robert Steven’s simulation of a Pemphis acidula that was submitted by Nurul Fajri (the original photo is below). Would you like Robert Steven, renowned bonsai artist, teacher and author to critique one of your bonsai? For free? Just email me a photo and we’ll take it from there. We first featured the critique shown here back in November, 2013. The tree is so exceptional that it’s worth another look. When I opened my email from Robert Steven and glanced at the before photo (below), I thought it was the after photo. But only for a moment. It’s the pot that … Continue reading Another Outstanding Bonsai Critique by Robert Steven

Garden of Tropical Bonsai Delights

Three major components come together in this colorful root-over-rock bonsai. A flowering tree (Malpighia pendiculata), a pot that some of us would die for (hand painted Chinese?) and an extraordinarily craggy rock. This bonsai and the others in this post are by Gede Merta. This isn’t the first time that we’ve featured Gede Merta’s bonsai. Nor will it be the last. If you don’t know Gede Merta, then welcome to his garden of tropical bonsai delights. If you already know Gede Merta, then welcome once again… Do you see it? The Valentine heart? Normally we wouldn’t point that out, … Continue reading Garden of Tropical Bonsai Delights

Robert’s Bonsai & Our Disclaimer

Premna is all Robert Steven says about this remarkable tree, but maybe that’s enough; it can tell its own story of a wild life with more than its fair share of abuse (like some people we might know). As you may have noticed, we feature Robert Steven’s bonsai more than any other artist, so maybe it’s time to issue a disclaimer. But before we do that, we’ll note that Robert is one of the most prolific and talented bonsai artists we know. Beyond that, he teaches bonsai to a depth seldom seen and he expresses boundless energy and enthusiasm in … Continue reading Robert’s Bonsai & Our Disclaimer

Tireless Bonsai Warrior

There’s so much that could be said about this wildly expressive tree, but I’ll leave that to Robert Steven. Here’s what Robert wrote: “Premna microphylla (small leaves) grafted on Premna serratifolia stump to obtain better foliage proportion and ramification structure… Combining different line characters into one integrated design in bonsai is a big challenge to obtain good harmony….If there is anything “disturbing” you, mean I succeed to evoke you… LOL smile emoticon.” It has been a while since we featured Robert Steven’s bonsai. If you are new to bonsai, you may not know Robert. In addition to being one of … Continue reading Tireless Bonsai Warrior

Surrealistic Bonsai

Robert Steven’s simulation of a photo submitted by Wayan (see below). Yesterday’s post was about art and the art of bonsai and today we’re down in Williamstown Mass catching Van Gogh at the Clark before he’s gone (how’s that for bonfides?). The upshot is, no time to put together a new post, so we dug up this Robert Steven critique from 2011. We renamed it Surrealistic Bonsai, an accidental allusion to art (post Van Gogh of course). What a difference a pot makes Though Robert doesn’t mention it in his critique (below), introducing a shallow pot, rather than the tree’s … Continue reading Surrealistic Bonsai

Snake Dance & other Tropical Wonders

This Pemphis acidula was styled by Gede Merta and currently belongs to H.N. Holiq Effendi. Gede Merta titled it Snake Dance (I know of at least one other Gede Merta bonsai called Snake Dance). It’s height is 57cm (22.5″) and, as you can see it’s a rather spectacular bonsai. I don’t know how hard Pemphis wood is and how difficult it is to keep the deadwood from rotting, but it looks like it has been treated with lime sulfur. A good place to start. All the trees shown here were styled by Gede Merta. His nursery is called Bonsai Bali … Continue reading Snake Dance & other Tropical Wonders

Bonsai Bali – Something Is Afoot in Southeast Asia

Selecting a lead tree isn’t always easy. Especially with so many good Gede Merta (Bonsai Bali) bonsai to choose from. I settled on this one partly because it’s a full cascade and good full cascade bonsai aren’t that common, and partly because of the tree’s overall relaxed feel; the unusual way the foliage seems draped across the top and just how loose all the foliage hangs. Not to say that its wild shape and extraordinary deadwood aren’t enough to make this tree worthy. But then most of Gede Merte’s bonsai show wild shapes and extraordinary deadwood. The tree is Pemphis … Continue reading Bonsai Bali – Something Is Afoot in Southeast Asia

What’s Wrong with this Picture?

Snake Dance by Gedemerta (with a distracting bright spot that someone has added). As you can see, this Pemphis acidula is an exceptional bonsai. It’s also famous. We’ve featured it at least twice and it’s all over facebook and elsewhere. Many of the artists who style these trees are professionals trying to make a living. What’s wrong (in addition to the unnecessary bright spot)? This photo was posted on facebook by someone who goes by Aus Bonsai, one of several regulars who put up photos of bonsai. There are many others, including one self-named Bonsai Master. Facebook is more than just … Continue reading What’s Wrong with this Picture?

Bonsai Yogi

A little change of pace. We almost always just focus on bonsai and avoid photos that feature people (that’s facebook’s job), but this one is just too good to pass up. The peaceful Bonsai Yogi is Gedemerta (aka Gede Merta) of Bonsai Bali. I cropped this photo (with apologies to Scott Jackson and his great tattoo). The uncropped version is here. So. I’m mentally packing my bags for Bali. I could sweep floors and wash dishes in exchange for bonsai lessons. Maybe a little contemplation instruction too, though I’m not sure how long I can sit on the ground with … Continue reading Bonsai Yogi