Bonsai U.S.A. & Beyond

Picasso’s (aka Dan Robinson’s) now famous wild and wonderful Hinoki. It’s from Will Hiltz’ most excellent book, Gnarly Branches, Ancient Trees, about Dan’s life and work. BTW, it’s just back in print and available at Stone Lantern. Back from the west coast very late last night and swamped with catch up so, we’ll borrow from our vast archival store once again. This one originally appeared July 4th, 2013. Independence Day. It seems appropriate for our post Artisans Cup recovery period as some of the trees are by artists who displayed at the Cup and one is by Ryan Neil himself. … Continue reading Bonsai U.S.A. & Beyond

A Breakthrough U.S. Bonsai Event & Credit Where Credit Is Due

Ryan Neil’s massive Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii). This (pick your adjective) tree was not part of the bonsai display area, but rather sat alone in an inner lobby that you passed through on the way out of the display area. There’s no way that you can appreciate just how massive it is, and though I didn’t think to pace it off at the time, by memory (a risky proposition at best), I’d reckon that it must be about six or seven feet (approx 2 meters) across. A thanks and a tribute to Ryan Neil and friends for the just completed … Continue reading A Breakthrough U.S. Bonsai Event & Credit Where Credit Is Due

The Winners & the Wonderful & Well-Organized Chaos & Delights of the Artisans Cup

The winner (captured by my cellphone camera amidst the push and pull of ten thousand museum visitors). It’s a Rocky mountain juniper that belongs to Randy Knight. Up early to catch a plane and still reeling from the wonderful and well organized chaos and delights of the Cup. The people, the venue, Portland, old friends. And of course the truly amazing bonsai. I’ll apologize up front for any mistakes in attribution and failures to link. I haven’t had time to begin to sort through the hundreds of photos of trees people and places, but we have start somewhere and that … Continue reading The Winners & the Wonderful & Well-Organized Chaos & Delights of the Artisans Cup

The Cup, Cork Bark Bonsai & Collecting from the Wild

Backcountry Bonsai doesn’t show any Ponderosa bonsai, so we borrowed this yamadori Ponderosa pine from Ryan Neil’s Mirai, American Bonsai. There are signs of what some people might call corking (see the close up at the bottom of the post), but I don’t think Back Country Bonsai would qualify it as a cork bark Ponderosa. Tonight is the opening of the Artisans Cup. If you’ve been paying attention, you’ve noticed that we’ve been resurrecting posts that have something to do with Oregon and more specifically (though sometimes indirectly,) the Cup itself. This works for me as generating new posts while … Continue reading The Cup, Cork Bark Bonsai & Collecting from the Wild

Great Trees & Vivid Closeups

It’s not that often that you’ll find a tall tree like this with great lower branching. When you do, and in the right hands, the result can be striking and quite unique. It’s a Subalpine Fir (Abies lasiocarpa) that belongs to Ryan Neil (Bonsai Mirai). We don’t normally repost from just four months ago, but I’m on my way to the Artisans Cup (with a little stopover in San Francisco), so why not? Don’t worry, I won’t bug you about going if you haven’t made plans. It’s getting late and the case has already been made. Repeatedly, including yesterday’s post. … Continue reading Great Trees & Vivid Closeups

Point Your Car Toward Portland Oregon

Only Mother Nature. There is no way anyone will ever grow a tree quite like this magnificently wild Rocky Mountain juniper. Taking this a step further, there is almost no way anyone will ever be able to collect and style a tree like this, though there are a handful of people who have the requisite skills and knowledge. In this case, it’s a combination of two who share the skills and knowledge: Randy Knight found it, collected it and made sure it survived the trauma, and Ryan Neil styled it, potted it and currently keeps it alive and well at … Continue reading Point Your Car Toward Portland Oregon

Bonsai Under American & African Skies

This Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii subsp. glauca) is one of numerous extraordinary bonsai at Ryan Neil’s Mirai American Bonsai (near Portland, Oregon). It was originally collected in the Rocky mountains by Randy Knight. It’s age is given as 10-250 100-250 years. Height is 36″ (91cm), width 52″ (132cm). Time has a funny way of slipping by while we dither, and it would be a shame if you let the Artisans Cup come and go without signing up and booking your trip to Portland. Before you dither any further or just dismiss the idea altogether, when was the last time you … Continue reading Bonsai Under American & African Skies

It Takes a Bonsai Village

Not in its pot yet and not a perfect photo, but still…! It’s a Rocky Mountain juniper from Michael Hagedorn’s Crataegus Bonsai portfolio. While we’re in Portland (see yesterday’s post) we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the Portland Bonsai Village. In fact, it would almost criminal and an insult to our friend Michael Hagedorn if we didn’t clue you in. So, click this link and consider yourself clued… and while you’re in Portland at the Cup, hop on board (bus below). Skip this paragraph unless you’re a fan of self flagellation. Sometimes I amaze myself at just how dense … Continue reading It Takes a Bonsai Village

Artisans Cup – an Inspirational Bonsai Event that You Will Remember for the Rest of Your Life

Announcing the exhibitors. From the Artisans Cup blog. Stick: Awhile ago we posted “What if you woke up on September 25th and realized that you’re not at the Artisans Cup?” An unabashed scare tactic. Problem is, some of you don’t scare all that easily, so we’ll switch from stick to carrot. Carrot: If this post convinces you to go, you will be eternally grateful. Even if you’ve already made up your mind (or better yet, already registered) you will be delighted you decided to go to the Artisans Cup. It’s the first of its kind and promises to be an … Continue reading Artisans Cup – an Inspirational Bonsai Event that You Will Remember for the Rest of Your Life

Rich in Bonsai Wisdom & Advanced How-to Articles

Eric Schrader’s caption for this photo reads: “At Ryan Neil’s place the Ponderosa were all about the twists and deadwood.” Ryan Neil is the artist behind the wonders of Bonsai Mirai and Eric Schrader is a five star bonsai blogger. I just discovered a phenomenal bonsai blog. It’s called phutu and it belongs to Eric Schrader (Eric lives in San Francisco and is involved in the Bonsai Society of San Francisco as a volunteer and teacher). I don’t understand how I missed phutu for so long, especially considering Eric has been posting regularly since 2003. I encourage you to pay … Continue reading Rich in Bonsai Wisdom & Advanced How-to Articles