A Penjing Symphony in Three Movements

This super-sized three part penjing is by Robert Steven; renowned bonsai artist, teacher and author, and frequent contributor to this blog. In Robert Steven’s own words “This is a super large penjing I did two weeks ago. The total length is three meters (about 10 feet). I combined three large special-order white marble trays in the arrangement in order to give a unique presentation in perspective and composition. The mountains were made of real rocks by a friend who hollowed some areas for planting the trees (Triphasia trifolia, aka Limeberry). The problem was to find a background for the photo, … Continue reading A Penjing Symphony in Three Movements

Another Radical Transformation by Robert Steven

Robert’s simulation of a tree that was submitted for critique by Matthew Harhager (Matthew’s original is below). Attention to detail helps I don’t know exactly how Robert Steven does his simulations, but from the looks of them, I’d guess that plenty of time and effort goes into each one. Rather than settle for simple abstractions, Robert’s simulations look like the real thing (the photo above aptly illustrates this point). So much so, that if you didn’t know that they are simulations, you’d most likely accept them as photos of actual bonsai. I can think of at least two reasons why … Continue reading Another Radical Transformation by Robert Steven

Weekly Wire 8 & Scratch Honorable Mention Winners

Bunjin pine from Bonsai Today magazine. We’ve been talking about Bunjin style bonsai quite a bit lately, so why not stay on topic? This one’s trunk is a little heavier than most bunjin, but no problem. The same goes for the crown; it too is a little heavier than crowns on most bunjins, but goes well with the heavy trunk. One of this tree’s distinguishing features, the vertical downward direction of the right branch, is characteristic of many bunjin style trees. Marco Invernizzi, Bill Valavanis and Isao Omachi Your generosity comes to fruition: I received this note and photo … Continue reading Weekly Wire 8 & Scratch Honorable Mention Winners

Robert’s Bonsai Safari

Acacia by Robert Steven. Robert’s bonsai safari Here’s a note I just received from our good friend Robert Steven: “Here is my first African style bonsai, an acacia I did in Namibia, inspired by the trees we saw during our bonsai safari in Namibia, maybe you want to share…” Just in case you don’t know who Robert is… … well, he’s one of the most accomplished bonsai artists, teachers, and authors anywhere. We feature Robert’s critiques regularly here on Bonsai Bark and we offer his excellent books and his line of bonsai tools and wire (Bonsai Aesthetics) at Stone Lantern. … Continue reading Robert’s Bonsai Safari

Bonsai Bark Weekly Wire

Boon Manakitivipart (Bonsai Boon) discovered this muscular Kuromatsu on his latest trip to Japan. You can visit Bonsai Tonight for more. Something new A while back we tried to get a bonsai calendar off the ground. After what seemed like lack of interest from our readers, we abandoned the idea. Now we have another idea, it’s related to the calendar notion, but more expansive. We’ll call it Bonsai Bark Weekly Wire for now. Rather than try to explain, we’ll just get started and see where it goes. This year’s BCI tour is timed to coincide with two of … Continue reading Bonsai Bark Weekly Wire

Buttonwood – American Tropical Jewel

Buttonwood by Ed Trout. From The Art of Bonsai Project. Ed’s bonsai have been featured in Bonsai Today magazine (back issues now 40% off). Our own amazing tropical bonsai We’ve featured a lot of collected tropicals from Indonesia and vicinity. Much of this has to do with our connection with Robert Steven (Mr. High Energy Bonsai), one of the world’s foremost bonsai artists, authors, collectors and teachers. It also has to do with the fact that so many of the collected trees (mostly Premna and Pemphis) from that part of the world are so amazing. Now it’s time to feature … Continue reading Buttonwood – American Tropical Jewel

High Energy Bonsai

Premna serratifolia (Wahong) by Robert Steven. Two years in training. All the photos in this post are from Robert’s ‘My Studio’ on facebook. If you don’t do facebook, you can visit Robert’s blog (though it’s not very up-to-date), or you can just peruse Bonsai Bark for a large range of posts on Robert’s bonsai. Mr. High Energy Bonsai I’ve been watching the bonsai scene for close to thirty years and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more prolific bonsai artist than Robert Steven. Prolific at a very high level at that. Or, for that matter, prolific at any level. … Continue reading High Energy Bonsai

Outside the Bonsai Box – Robert Steven Critiques a Massive Pemphis

Robert Steven’s simulation of a photo submitted by Wayan (see below). 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 clunky and rather unattractive pot (also below), instantly transforms the whole tree. Nothing outside the box, just a simple change that does wonders for a bonsai. Before. Submitted by Wayan. In Robert’s own words Although the trunk is very interesting, it is quite difficult to turn this tree into a design that ideally portrays a large mature tree. The stump is too bulky, so it … Continue reading Outside the Bonsai Box – Robert Steven Critiques a Massive Pemphis

Shape Shifting: Robert Steven Transforms a Juniper

Robert Steven’s simulation of a juniper that was submitted by Peter Woosley. Peter’s original is below. A surprising shift Robert fooled me (once again). At a glance I thought the tree had potential more or less as it was. All it needed was perhaps a little lean to the right, some work on the crown and that heavy upper section of trunk (where the first branches come off), and especially on the somewhat stiff feeling branch on the lower left that caused the whole tree to seem unbalanced. However, Robert saw things differently and ended up with a much more … Continue reading Shape Shifting: Robert Steven Transforms a Juniper

The Meta-Natural Bonsai Look

The natural look? Beyond the natural look? This wild and wonderful tree is by our friend Robert Steven (Robert is often featured on Bonsai Bark). I found the photo on facebook. A little help The lower trunk (on the tree above) looks like it just grew that way, somewhere on a rugged cliff overlooking the ocean. The top twisty section of trunk looks like maybe it had a little help from Robert’s hands and some bonsai wire. And there’s no doubt that Robert shaped the foliage. But then, only Robert knows the whole story. My guess is he’ll tell us. … Continue reading The Meta-Natural Bonsai Look