The Other Cascade: Before & After

After by Kimura (aka the Magician). This photo is from a chapter in our Masters’ Series Pine Book titled Masahiko Kimura Transforms A Semi-Cascade. The tree is a Japanese white pine (Pinus parviflora). The other cascade Correct me if I’m wrong, but it seem to me that, with the exception of Junipers (especially the ever present Procumbens nana) you don’t see that many semi-cascade bonsai (I just scrolled back through the last couple month of Bonsai Bark and about 10% of the trees featured are semi-cascade; more than I thought I’d find, but still, not that many). Actually, you don’t … Continue reading The Other Cascade: Before & After

A Bonsai Story

A compelling bonsai story. If the best bonsai tell a story, this one speaks loud and clear. I think that the story here is expressed in the way the low tree on the right appears to have regenerated after a near fatal fall and the way this effect is supported by all the deadwood. Then there’s the overall balance that’s enhanced by the way the the foliage and wood on the small tree mirrors the large tree. There’s more, but enough said for now. A great demo at an excellent show A few days ago we featured some bonsai from … Continue reading A Bonsai Story

A Deft Touch: Another Excellent Critique by Robert Steven

After. Robert Steven’s simulation of a tree that was submitted by Sumardi. The before photo is below. Robert’s deft touch If you look at the before and after shots, it’s easy to see that it’s the same tree. The trunk has been leaned slightly to the left, some branches have been lengthened and some shortened, it has a different pot and the placement in the pot has been moved. Nothing very radical, yet the effect is striking; the tree has transformed from simple potential to realization of that potential. Before. The image that Sumardi submitted to Robert. Robert’s comments The … Continue reading A Deft Touch: Another Excellent Critique by Robert Steven

A Mystical Dragon

Robert Steven’s simulation of a planting that was submitted by Paolo Netto (see below). More varied and interesting, but still… Last month Paulo Netto submitted a group planting for critique by Robert Steven. Now, he’s submitted another more varied and interesting group planting for Robert to critique. Still, no matter how varied and interesting, there’s room for improvement, and ‘room for improvement’ is practically Robert’s middle name. Paulo Netto’s planting. Robert Steven’s critique After the recent critique on Paulo Netto’s grouping, especially on the placement of the gate, he sent me a new grouping with different placement, which showed … Continue reading A Mystical Dragon

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

Visual Balance – Robert Steven Critique

Robert Steven’s simulation of a Pemphis acidula that was submitted for critique by Hamman Harris. The original is below. Bow and arrow Once you get beyond the fact that the bark and shape and even the foliage (at a glance) on this Pemphis look so much like the common Juniper pro-nana (that made-yesterday little bonsai imposter that flooded our Holiday malls last century), you might notice that there’s an unmistakable bow and arrow effect going on here. True, the bow has been softened considerably by Robert in his simulation, but the arrow remains. Perhaps Robert left it the way it … Continue reading Visual Balance – Robert Steven Critique

Improving a Less-Than-Beautiful Design

Robert Steven’s simulation of a Chinese elm root-on-rock bonsai submitted by Ikhsan. The original (before) photo is below. Still impressed No matter how much I try, I don’t see nearly as much as Robert Steven sees when he does his critiques (it’s not even close). So, once again, I am left to sing the praises of Robert’s bonsai wisdom. If you’d like proof of that wisdom, just read on. Or, you can check out Robert’s books and search his name on this blog and read through dozens of his earlier posts. It’s time well spent. Robert’s critique How can two … Continue reading Improving a Less-Than-Beautiful Design

Exploring Bonsai Subtleties Courtesy of Robert Steven

Robert’s simulation of a submission by Nyoman Agus (the original is below). Getting down to the finer points So much of what you see and read in bonsai books and elsewhere, just repeats the same old basic principles. Even some of the most experienced teachers seem to fall into this trap. It’s easy to understand, given that bonsai is still fairly young in much of the world and so many of us are still trying to learn those basic principles. But still, it’s a breath of fresh air when someone digs into subtleties that most of us would never think … Continue reading Exploring Bonsai Subtleties Courtesy of Robert Steven