You can tell it’s getting near show time, all my trees are covered in netting to keep the birds of my lovely moss!
Tag Archives: photos
Shohin Japanese White Pine
Yes, I know, I’ve been very slack with my posting on the blog of late. A very busy period in my life with business, personal and bonsai elements going full tilt. I am hoping to have a quiet few months coming up and look forward to having more time for my own bonsai and pushing forward with my own education in this wonderful art.
I have still been taking photos and I’ll try and get a few more out over the coming weeks.
I’ve been up to my eyes in the prep required for Bonsai 30, the biggest Bonsai event Ireland has seen so far and have been prepping a number of trees for the exhibit. I would rather leave most of them until the event before sharing here though.
However, here’s a little Pine that was gifted to me by my friend Mariusz. It will be getting a new pot in the Spring but has just had a rewiring in case we need it for the shohin display at the exhibition.
Workshop: MBC In Bunratty
Had a great weekend in Bunratty with the folks in the ever growing Munster Bonsai Club. A great mix of existing and new members on the day with lots of interesting trees to play with. Here some photos, some from myself and some stolen from the MBC guys.
Tight squeeze
Some sales items
Ray, the Boss at work
Busy busy
Tut tut Mark Tut tut 🙂
Piotr, another boss at work
More sales, Magic Ceramics
Harry’s little Larch finished
Kung fu fighting! Ninja Kieran
Finishing that Larch
How much for just the pot? 🙂
Mark’s Holm Oak finished
The gang minus Ilene who had to shoot off before the team photo. Thanks for supporting the workshop everyone, a very enjoyable and productive day.
Kusamono Workshop
Better late than never, I’m posting a few photos from the kusamono workshop back at the start of June. June has been a hectic month for me and I’m only catching up on things now.
I must say that these workshops are probably the best days craic you’ll have here in my garage and that’s saying something. There’s been countless sessions here over the years, mostly bonsai orientated, but for sheer enjoyment these have been a treat to host. I only wish I could post a few of the other photos I have from the day but sadly I don’t want to offend anyone :-O
As you can see most photos have people smiling or laughing, just look at the delight on Ben’s face below.
Even from behind you can tell Kris is smiling. Just look at that high cheek dimple 🙂
However I did keep them busy…
We kept Bob outside… Only joking, despite his American origins he’s been in Northern Ireland longer than the Scottish and English contingent at the workshop put together.
Some of the efforts from the day, they’ve still to fill and mature but are all great starting points. First the kusamono.
Shitakusa
Even some Kokedama, mostly from the mossball king on the day, Kris 🙂
I’ll finish with Ben having a zen moment between his usual bouts of hyperactive verbal Englishness!
Next kusamono workshop will be Saturday 20th August.
Peter Flint Found!
I posted the above photo yesterday showing this great character, Peter Flint. I was given the opportunity to visit him a few weeks ago and jumped at the chance. Peter had been in the UK bonsai scene up until roughly 15 years ago when he retired and moved to County Galway in the West of Ireland. He brought his large collection of bonsai with him. Over the years he has reduced this collection to match his changing circumstances but his passion for bonsai has never dropped. I had planned to spend a few hours with him chatting about bonsai but more so about the old days of bonsai in the UK. A few hours turned into nearly seven before I hit the road home! What a fantastic day we had swapping stories and catching Peter up on the last 15 years of the bonsai scene. We knew many of the same people, some who have moved up the ladder and some who have sadly passed on. Peter was involved in the first days of Fobbs and the National Collection in Birmingham as well as being a founder member of the Bedfordshire Bonsai Society.
Peter gave me the tour of his remaining bonsai and showed me the meticulous records he keeps for each tree showing when and where he bought it, or where the seed was bought from. Seeing mature bonsai started from cuttings or seed back in the 70’s was a pleasure, nearly more so than the bought trees that were still in his hands.
He has a fantastic Hinoki Cypress that has a great history, a story a half hour in the telling. I tried to persuade him to exhibit it in our Clubs Bonsai 30 Exhibition in September but I’m still waiting on an answer. 😉 The tree had been awarded a certificate of Special Merit by Fobbs back in 1992 at Dunstable. I told Peter I’d ask if anyone had any old photos of the tree from back then as he doesn’t have one. If anyone reading this was there or may know someone who has old photos from 1992 still knocking around, can you please ask around for me? The tree was also one of the first Batch to be loaned to the National Collection in Birmingham before they had permanent exhibits. Some photos of it there might be knocking around too. This is the tree below along with the certificate from the exhibition.
Peter showing us his tree records.
Some of his remaining trees. A Japanese White Pine on a Rock.
Purple Beech from seed
Red Maple bought in 1984 from Lodders
Cedar from garden Centre stock.
Birch from seed planted in the 1970
Another garden Centre Cedar 50 years in the making
I would just like to thank Peter for allowing me to visit and to Derek for doing the driving. Peter is a real character and sharp as a tack. I could spend a week with him just chatting about bonsai and his experiences. I am delighted that I had the chance to chat with him and it won’t be the last time either. If you used to know Peter and want to get in contact with him for a catch up, just CONTACT ME and I’ll try andput you in touch.
Lost & Found
This gentleman disappeared from the UK bonsai scene roughly 15 years ago, and I found him a few weeks back hiding in the wilds of County Galway. Anyone recognise him? 🙂 Not looking to shabby for 81 years old.
He’s still got a few Bonsai around.
Valerian as Kusamono?
I’m excited to see how this turned out. I love seeing Valerian growing out of old walls but it’s a little big for accent culture. Then my friend Mark, Rusted root bonsai gave me this really old lump of Valerian removed from a quarry I believe. I popped it into this pot and am watching with interest to see how pot culture shortens the flower stalks, if it flowers this year that is. I know Mark has a few more on the go so we’ll see what happens. Well done Mark for thinking outside the box. The fact that it is already a very old plant with lots of character makes it even more interesting. There’s even a little Sedum that was growing with it in the quarry.
Accent: Iris Gracilipes
In the garden today… Iris Gracilipes in Dan Barton pot. There’s a little bit of Spirea in there too self seeded. I’m leaving it to see what it looks like next year.
Mother and Daughter Hawthorn
This is my largest Hawthorn, really starting to take shape. It’s been a long road but I’m starting to be a little happier with it these days. This year saw it’s best flowering to date. Plans afoot for a new pot for next year. I think it’s the most protective mother ever 🙂
Arco 2016
A big thank you JP Reitz for sharing these photos from Arco with me, and from me to you.
These are my personal favourites from the exhibition.
Bonsai Eejit 