Bonsai tree: Bella Bonsai Arte

What great tree tree. It’s a black pine by Mauro Stemberger (all the trees in this post are Mauro’s) and it’s so full of unique character that I can’t say enough about how much I like it. So I’ll just shut up (except to say, that, it would be interesting to know the history of this tree… and speaking of pines, the 2nd printing of our classic pine book is now in stock).

Another Italian Renaissance

Mauro Stemberger is one of several talented and innovative young Italian bonsai artists. It helps to live in a culture where art and artists are so respected (even revered) and art and beauty are everywhere; both man made and natural (all this, and the best food in the world… now, if the Euro would only come down a bit). But just being Italian isn’t enough; talent, passion and a large doses of time and effort also help.

Bonsai Dream

The trees in this post are all borrowed from Mauro’s website: Italian Bonsai Dream.

Scot’s pine. Some bonsai look a lot like other bonsai, but not this one. Especially unusual is the way the trunk lays along the ground and then dips down below the top of pot on its circuitous route from base to crown.

 
Recently defoliated privet. Mauro has plenty of excellent trees, but I picked this because it’s not only excellent, but it’s a privet, and you just don’t see that many privet bonsai. I wonder if started its life as a part of hedge.

Abstract art anyone? This unusual tree with its wild lines and striking contrasts is a shore juniper (Juniperus procumbens).

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Bonsai tree: East Bay Bonsai Society’s 49th annual show

Source: Bonsai Tonight
East Bay Bonsai Society’s 49th annual show

The East Bay Bonsai Society recently held their 49th annual show at the Lakeside Garden Center in Oakland, California. It was another good show for EBBS with a fun mix of varieties, accents and suiseki. Below are photos from the show with a few comments about balance. For comparison’s sake, here is a link to photos from last year’s show.

Why the focus on balance? When exhibiting bonsai with other elements – second trees, accents, or scrolls – the tree will either guide the viewer’s gaze toward the accent or away from it. Trees with clear flow to one side or the other look good on their own and help create compelling displays. What if a tree doesn’t flow one way or the other? Maybe it’s perfectly balanced. Or maybe it’s awaiting further development that will guide it in a single direction – that’s part of the fun.

Korean hornbeam – does the tree point left or right?

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Bonsai tree: Shimpaku Juniper Bonsai

This tree is by far one of my favorites I’ve had the opportunity to work on in Japan. It’s a grafted Itoigawa Shimpaku Juniper on very old Sonare (Juniperus procumbens). The tree was originally purchased from a nursery in Kyushu by a customer and brought back to Himeji several decades ago. The tree has never been shown at an exhibition, but I’m hoping this’ll change in the near future.

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Bonsai tree: Another Budi, Another Pemphis

Pemphis acidula by Budiman Darmansjah. Here’s Budiman’s reply when I asked him if I could use it: “You can use it as you want. It is Pemphis acidula, grow on limestone rock at seaside. I collected this tree in 2000. Length of trunk is 105 cm.” (105 cm = 41 inches)
Just yesterday we posted a Pemphis acidula by Budi Sulistyo, a well known Indonesian bonsai artist and author of Tropical Bonsai Gallery. Now we have another Pemphis by another Budi. Though it may not be quite as eye-popping as yesterday’s, still, it’s a good tree with lots of character, that, at a glance, might be mistake for a shore juniper (Juniperus procumbens).

Another powerful bonsai by Budiman. Anyone know what it is?

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Bonsai tree: Last Four Entries in Bonsai Art Contest

Drawing by Youri Boerlage. Youri didn’t write anything about this, but it looks like a juniper bonsai with some very wild jin and shari.

Drawing by Matt Cooke’s girlfriend. This is a sketch my girlfriend did for me. As I was busy repotting in early March she had to keep herself entertained. I believe it is pen and water pencil. The drawing is of my recently acquired mountain hemlock yamadori.

Drawing by Pongsatorn Kanthaboon. Pongasatorn’s only comment is that it’s a Juniperus procumbens bonsai. FYI: some common names are: Shore juniper. Procumben juniper, Japanese garden juniper.

Drawing by Don Erickson of Salem Oregon. “Attached is a piece of art work done on the Oregon coast. I get a lot of inspiration when I visit each month. Not only the calm of the coast but the natural trees that I see. Now, if I could just find a pot large enough, and a truck large enough I could get some home.”

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BIB exhibition – conifers

Bonsai exhibitions are my best opportunity to simply enjoy the trees. During BIB’s annual exhibition, I make time to wander the hall as if I were a visitor. I study bark and branch placement, moss-work, accents, and display.
One of the first things that strikes me about a tree is its balance, or “baransu,” as Yasuo Mitsuya would say. The shimpaku below has it in spades. Dense and green foliage, wonderful course to fine ramification, and a silhouette that’s as Japanese in character.

Shimpaku

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