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Chojubai

Oct 31 2014

Beech Winter Image

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Oct 30 2014

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Trident Autumn Colours

Oct 27 2014

And Now for Something Completely Different..

I have been working my way through a few Scots Pines in the last few weeks giving them an initial styling. They were collected from a bog a few years back and have grown well.

As with most bog pines they are tall and straight with not much as the bottom to work with. This one however had an unusual lower branch which I wanted to retain. We often are too quick to remove what we deem as a ‘fault’ when it can actually make the main feature of the tree. Who wants to look at the same boring tree images again and again? Indeed, who wants to style the same boring tree images again and again?

This was it before I started.

And this is it after some wiring. As usual the photo doesn’t show the back to front trunk and branch movement. Some branches need to extend and as it fills I can create a more convincing image, but for a first styling I am happy with the result.

Oct 25 2014

Esprit Bonsai -English

Thought I’d try out the new English version of the French magazine Esprit Bonsai. I must admit I’m pleased with the issue, especially as it even covers accents 🙂

Oct 20 2014

British Shohin Bonsai (BSB)

As a BSA now BSB member, I just wanted to share the information below with you.

Last Saturday saw the official “launch” of British Shohin Bonsai and interest in the group is already taking off well.

We have used “launch” in inverted commas as it is more a case of revamping of an older familiar face. BSB has arisen from the British Shohin Association which was the first and only Shohin and small sized bonsai society in the UK for nearly eight years. Sadly, as with many clubs and societies, the BSA was finding it difficult to get people to take on the administrative functions necessary to run an organisation.

But rather than let the momentum of the BSA fizzle out, a group of members took it upon themselves to progress the group in a manner that involved an entirely new way of doing things.

Accepting that a sizeably large number of people wish to source their bonsai knowledge and indulge their bonsai passion online, the BSB decided that they would relaunch using an internet presence as the main method of reaching the bonsai public. A new Facebook group has been established to front this process, along with a new website.

As with the BSA, the aim of the new group is to promote the smaller sizes of bonsai, and while the online presence allows us to this through discussion, we will also be retaining the best bits of the BSA – namely the Exhibition and the Journal. These, along with occasional workshops and demonstrations, will allow us to develop people’s practical skills.

The name change is simply because we felt that a slight change of “branding” was needed. This is mostly to give due respect to the sterling work done by the officers of the previous incarnation. It is truly good that most of them are coming with us on our new journey and we hope that freeing them up from the shackles of a committee position will allow them more freedom.

Although there is no formal membership for BSB, we will be introducing a Supporters set-up whereby in return for a small one-off donation, you get access to the Journals and reduced price entry to BSB events.

Shohin bonsai has certainly taken off in the past few years and the former BSA was instrumental in that happening. We hope to continue that momentum and to take smaller sized bonsai to even greater , erm… heights.

To see more please use the links below:

http://britishshohinbonsai.com/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1389090284673009/

Oct 19 2014

Chinese Juniper Makeover

This tree has been on the For Sale bench for a while as raw material for a workshop. It’s not exactly raw as it’s been styled on and off over the last 20 years by 3 owners that I know of. I felt the urge today to give it a reworking and this is the result before and after. No longer of use for a workshop but will make a nice addition to someone’s collection down the line.One major branch removed and jinned to lighten the image Slight angle change with tree being repositioned in the pot which is by Jackson Conn, a collectors piece in itself 😉

Oct 18 2014

Capel Manor 2014

Thanks to Dan for sharing these photos from the Capel Manor Show last weekend. The exhibition is hosted by the Enfield Bonsai Group.

Here are some of the winning trees, displays, club displays and even a few from the John Armitage demo. John did a demo on 2 trees, Juniper was made from £25 material showing what you can achieve for not much cash. The 2nd tree was a cork bark elm, again affordable material – work was done with an aim to air layer into a clump in the spring.

A final note to pass on my condolences regarding Ray Ward from Sussex Bonsai who was also Vice chair of FOBBS, who sadly passed away on Wednesday this week. He did an amazing job creating their club display at the show and was a prominent and much liked man in the British bonsai community.