Contributors
Aarin Packard
Aarin is a California native and attended California State University Fullerton where he majored in Anthropology. He also received a Masters degree in Museum Studies from The George Washington University in Washington D.C. Aarin was first exposed to bonsai at a very young age by his father. Later in high school he studied and worked on bonsai with his close friends as a hobby. Before coming to the Bonsai Museum he worked for the Institute of Museum and Library Services and he interned in the Botany Department at the National Museum of Natural History of the Smithsonian Institution. He assumed the position of Assistant Curator in June 2006. Aarin has worked with numerous bonsai professionals from the U.S. and Japan.
Latest: Repotting a Kokufu Kaede
Andrew Smith
Andrew Smith, proprietor of Golden Arrow Bonsai, Deadwood, South Dakota.
Mr. Smith first became interested in bonsai in 1993 while retrieving core samples from ancient pine trees for a climate history research project for the U.S. Forest Service. Prior to this he had been a professional tree planter for five years and had hand planted approximately 1.3 million bare-root tree seedlings. He immediately decided to try transplanting some of the contorted pines, spruces and junipers he frequently saw growing on rock ledges in the hopes of training them for bonsai. He has successfully transplanted several hundred yamadori specimens per year since then and takes them around the country to bonsai shows and conventions. He and his wife, Judy, and their sons, still work on many Forest Service projects every year, as well as running a bonsai nursery specializing in collected trees from the American West. Mr. Smith gives lectures and workshops on bonsai around the country.
Antoni Payeras
Antoni Payeras is a Spanish bonsai artist, born in 1963. His interest in bonsai began in 1984, at the age of 21. After graduating with a degree in Landscaping Architecture, he started a garden and landscaping company along with a nursery. There he began to produce commercial bonsai from native Mediterranean trees. He is a collaborator for the Spanish bonsai magazine “Bonsai Actual”, for which he has written numerous articles. He began teaching the art of bonsai to others in 1989, and owns the Bonsai School of Menorca.
Bjorn Bjorholm
Bjorn Bjorholm was born and raised in East Tennessee at the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, which undoubtedly played a major role in his love of nature and eventual involvement in bonsai beginning at the age of 13. From his initial introduction to bonsai, Bjorn has consistently strived towards the accomplishment of one goal – to improve the quality of bonsai art in the west. At the age of 16 he helped found the Knoxville Bonsai Society, and later, single-handedly developed the Tennessee Bonsai Exhibition, now an annual and continually expanding event.
While still in high school, Bjorn had the opportunity to visit Japan as part of an ACOM Cultural Exchange Program, and it was during this short trip that he first met bonsai master Keiichi Fujikawa in Osaka. At the time, Mr. Fujikawa jokingly offered Bjorn a position as an apprentice if he ever returned to Japan for an extended period of time. Little did Mr. Fujikawa know that Bjorn would in fact take the offer to heart and would focus his full energies on one day returning to study bonsai at Fujikawa Kouka-en nursery.
During his final year at the University of Tennessee, Bjorn wrote Mr. Fujikawa a series of letters asking if his previous offer (then six years past) still stood. Following several months with no response, Mr. Fujikawa finally answered with a single, short letter. Unfortunately, however, the response was somewhat unexpected as it expressed concern and apprehension about Bjorn’s Japanese language skills as well as his work ethic. Through several more letters and a bit of convincing, Mr. Fujikawa agreed to allow Bjorn a three-month trial period as an apprentice beginning in the spring of 2008.
While still in high school, Bjorn had the opportunity to visit Japan as part of an ACOM Cultural Exchange Program, and it was during this short trip that he first met bonsai master Keiichi Fujikawa in Osaka. At the time, Mr. Fujikawa jokingly offered Bjorn a position as an apprentice if he ever returned to Japan for an extended period of time. Little did Mr. Fujikawa know that Bjorn would in fact take the offer to heart and would focus his full energies on one day returning to study bonsai at Fujikawa Kouka-en nursery.
During his final year at the University of Tennessee, Bjorn wrote Mr. Fujikawa a series of letters asking if his previous offer (then six years past) still stood. Following several months with no response, Mr. Fujikawa finally answered with a single, short letter. Unfortunately, however, the response was somewhat unexpected as it expressed concern and apprehension about Bjorn’s Japanese language skills as well as his work ethic. Through several more letters and a bit of convincing, Mr. Fujikawa agreed to allow Bjorn a three-month trial period as an apprentice beginning in the spring of 2008.
Budi Sulistyo
Budi Sulistyo of Jakarta, Indonesia first began bonsai in 1976 and first begun to teach the art in 1984. He gives seminars and teaches in classes and workshops throughout his country and on national television. As the first Indonesian to win an international award (International Bonsai Exhibition in Osaka, Japan) and as the author of the Indonesian language book "Bonsai: he is well known and respected in the bonsai community.
Candy J. Shirey
Candy J. Shirey dances with trees. She has apprenticed with Nick Lenz and considers her primary teachers Nick Lenz and Kenji Miyata, both of which she studies with several times per year. She maintains a bonsai gallery in her studio in New Hampshire.
Colin Lewis
I’ve been growing bonsai as an artistic discipline for over thirty years, beginning in my native England and now in the USA. Having been trained in graphic design, which I practiced until my relocation in 2001, it is inevitable that I have some personal opinions about the creativity of bonsai design.
I want each bonsai I create to be different, as original as possible. I have no interest in slavishly following classic styles, although learning them is an essential step to realizing ones own original designs – as important as learning good techniques or horticultural practices. But once we have learned the stylistic traditions, we should observe what they achieve aesthetically and seek our own ways to achieve the same.
The Japanese and Chinese look to their landscapes for inspiration, and they draw on their cultural and artistic heritage for the visual language with which to turn their inspiration into bonsai. This is evident in their different bonsai aesthetics. Yet the thing that drives them to create bonsai art, the ‘spirit of bonsai’ is universal – entirely cross-cultural, east or west.
I believe we should draw upon our own western artistic and cultural heritage to discover new acceptabilities in bonsai aesthetics. If bonsai is an art, it must evolve and progress. Such evolution is not led by a hierarchy or elite group (not in any art) but by individual artists who understand the spirit of bonsai and have the courage and dedication to explore new paths.
If we are to create ever more imaginative and evocative bonsai, we should also look to our own western landscapes for inspiration. But there is one source of inspiration that is common to all bonsai enthusiasts, wherever they live: that fanciful landscape of the mind where anything is possible. Creativity begins with imagination, and the determination that if you can imagine it, you can make it.
Latest: Bonsai as a Western Art
Dale Cochoy
Dale began studying bonsai in 1978. He studied with Ohio bonsaiman Keith Scott during the late '80's. Dale and a partner started Wild Things Bonsai Nursery on a part-time basis in 1989 while they worked for G.E. Medical Systems, and Dale went full-time with the business in 1995. “Wild Things Bonsai Studio” is a full-service dealer of domestic and imported bonsai. He also sells collected specimens native to the United States. Included in sales inventory are pottery, tools and other bonsai accessories including oriental art objects.
Dale has been producing his own hand-built, one-of-a-kind stoneware "Wild Things" bonsai pottery for 12 years now and in 2001 won 2nd place (modern category) in the National Bonsai Foundation's First North American Bonsai Pot Competition that was held in conjunction with the Asian Arts Festival which celebrated the 25th anniversary of the bonsai collection at the National Arboretum in Washington D.C. In the later part of 2002 Dale renamed the pottery portion of his business to “Yakimono no Kokoro” (Heart of Fired Things) as he felt a more fitting name was needed to express that part of the business.
Dale had a bonsai container in the “From The Hands Of” bonsai pottery display in the 2005 World Bonsai Convention in Washington D.C., and, one of his trees was also chosen for the 5th World Bonsai Convention display. The tree was a collected American Larch which was potted in a bonsai container that Dale made specifically for the tree.
Dale has twice entered photographs of a personal tree in the World Bonsai Photo Contest and each time had the tree selected in the top 100 entries.
He also specializes in the sales of many varieties of power wood carving tools for use in bonsai styling , and is the USA importer/distributor for the “Samurai” line of bonsai power wood carving tools.
Dale is a founder of the Akron/Canton Bonsai Society and has served as President and Vice President . He is also a past President and Vice President of the Cleveland Bonsai Club. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the American Bonsai Society for two terms.
Dale maintains his bonsai business and garden in Hartville, Ohio. He also travels throughout the United States to vend at conventions and teach bonsai and pottery workshops and demonstrations. He has been a vendor at many national conventions and symposiums over the years and was the only American vendor at the 3rd. World Bonsai Convention in Seoul, Korea in 1997. He was also a vendor at the 5th World Bonsai Convention in Washington D.C. in 2005 and at the 6th World Bonsai Convention in San Juan, Puerto Rico in 2009.
David M. Dye
David works with leaders who want to build teams that care, increase employee engagement, and get more done. He is the founder and President of Trailblaze, Inc and loves to partner with people who are working to change the world. David shares twenty years experience leading, managing, coaching, and teaching He regularly speaks and writes about effective leadership and is slowly learning the patient art of bonsai.
David Schauer
David Schauer is a professional, award-winning writer who has been published in both print and online media hundreds of times. Covering all aspects from breaking news, features, sports and editorial columns, he has developed a diverse writing portfolio. He currently
lives in Southern Illinois, near St. Louis.
Latest: A Blending of Art and Nature
Dylan Fawcett
I've always appreciated bonsai, even as a kid walking through the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum in Washington D.C. In late fall of 2011 I decided to start collecting trees again, and since that time I've made every effort to learn and practice the art of bonsai as much as possible. My Project "Bonsai Prelude" started in fall of 2012, and is a meshing of my own thoughts and experiences with sources of information that I've found to be the most helpful. I will continue to do my best to provide quality info and sources to anyone hungry for bonsai knowledge.
Latest: A Theory of Style
Eric Ridgeway
Eric's journey on the bonsai path began sometime in 2007. That year he moved to WA to live with his now wife, Victrinia Ridgeway. Bonsai brought them together and has kept them that way ever since. Shortly there after he began studying with internationally known bonsai artist and teacher, Daniel Robinson. Bonsai has been a part of Eric's daily life ever since, with each day bringing new challenges and inspirations. Often cited as being "another maverick in the making" he looks to find ways to push the boundaries of his work each day.
Latest: The Taming of the Hornbeam
erv evans and frank a. blazich
Giang L.S NGUYEN
Heir to a tradition of Penjing and trained as an aquaculture engineer, Giang has been specializing in training Bonsai techniques from seedlings, cuttings, layering to grafting for more than 22 years in France.
Currently, Giang is focusing on his main activity of creation of unglazed figures or mudmen bonsai figures, another art associated to Bonsai-penjing for over 1400 years. The figures are made in stoneware clay and baked between 1000 and 1250 °C. Each piece is unique and bears the seal of the author. These figurines will soon be available to bonsai enthusiasts and collectors.
Currently, Giang is focusing on his main activity of creation of unglazed figures or mudmen bonsai figures, another art associated to Bonsai-penjing for over 1400 years. The figures are made in stoneware clay and baked between 1000 and 1250 °C. Each piece is unique and bears the seal of the author. These figurines will soon be available to bonsai enthusiasts and collectors.
JC Combs
I am a 29 year old father of three who resides in beautiful West Virginia. I am an Army veteran who proudly served two tours of duty in Iraq. I love all aspects of the outdoors, fishing, hiking, camping and hunting (especially waterfowl). I fell in love with bonsai when I was fortunate enough to attend a lecture given by Walter Pall when I was stationed in Germany. Even though I could not understand one word (given in German) of the speech I was floored by the beauty and majesty of Walter's bonsai! I wasnt able to begin my own collection until my enlistment was up but I dove in headfirst after that.Since then I have studied constantly and have been fortunate enough to give several demonstrations and lectures in West Virginia. My favorite species are japanese black pines and japanese maples.
Latest: Bonsai with Japanese Maples
Jim Osborne
My name is Jim Osborne and I live in New Orleans LA. I am the President of the Greater New Orleans Bonsai Society and also serve as its Masters Program Director, and fourm moderator for our website www.gnobs.org. I was first bitten by the bonsai bug 23 years ago when I killed my first juniper that my parents gave me. Since then, I've not been the same. My wonderful wife Holly is often times a "bonsai widow". My bald cypress won the Vaughn Banting award in 2011 and my buttonwood was accepted for display at the 3rd US National Bonsai Exhibition in Rochester NY.
Latest: Introduction To Bonsai Pots
Joe Morgan-Payler
My Name is Joe Morgan-Payler and i have been growing bonsai in Melbourne, Australia for about 12 years now. I have studied both here with the local tallent and travelling artists and have also been lucky enough to have been able to study for a couple of short periods in Japan under Mr. Urushibata of Taisho-en.
I try to write regularly about my experiences at my blog: www.nichigobonsai.com
Latest: The Grass is Always Greener
Jonas Dupuich
My name is Jonas Dupuich and I am a Northern California bonsai enthusiast. I have been studying and writing about bonsai under the guidance of Boon Manakitivipart for the past sixteen years, and I am a founding member of Bay Island Bonsai.
He writes about bonsai at http://bonsaitonight.com
He writes about bonsai at http://bonsaitonight.com
Jonathan Maples
Jonathan Maples works as a 表装師 Hyousoushi. Hyousou is the Japanese word for framing or mounting. He has trained for 5 years in the art of Hyousou and been a direct student under Sagawa Taishin in Tokyo, Japan. Hyousou is craftsmanship in paper, cloth, glue and wood to create traditional Japanese products such as shoji (sliding paper doors), fusuma (Sliding Doors made with Hardened Paper), and kakejiku (Wall Scrolls). A hyousoushi is a person that works in these arts. He operates Custom Japanese Calligraphy.
Website: Custom Japanese Calligraphy
Website: Custom Japanese Calligraphy
Juan Antonio Pérez
I have been a bonsai practitioner for 20 years, learning on my own for much of that time.
My favorite trees are olives, especially the Majorcan strain of the wild olive (Olea europea var. sylvestris,) with which I became acquainted thanks to my good friend Erasmo García. I am also fond of elms, rosemary, Ficus and junipers. But I can’t resist the urge to try almost anything that comes into my hands, so you will find quite a variety of plant species in my collection! Little by little I’ll share them with you.
I teach biology in secondary school in the ancient city of Cádiz, Spain. Besides bonsai, I enjoy fishing, watercolor painting, bicycling and books.
Ken To
I got into bonsai in 2007 when my son, who was three years old at the time, saw a mallsai in the Wal-mart garden center and wanted it to buy it. We both liked the mudman sitting next to the juniper whip so I decided to shell out the $12 to buy it. The mudman had a broken arm but I thought maybe I can buy another mudman to replace it. The search for a replacement mudman was where my addiction to bonsai really started.
Latest: Wire Bonsai Sculptures
kev bailey
Born 1955 and into Bonsai, on and off since 1967. I began growing things as a toddler, being allowed a small vegetable patch to keep me out of mischief. My first specialism was cacti. I had a collection of nearly 1000 plants in a 40' greenhouse by the time I was sixteen. Then I bumped into an early and rather poor bonsai book in the library. Its few b/w illustrations sparked enough interest for me to have a go. Lacking detailed advice and struggling with seedlings in pots, I failed miserably.
College, marriage and a career in teaching kept me away for a few years, until my interests in gardening were re-awakened through mountaineering and alpine plants. Then back into bonsai once more when I discovered Dan Barton's book. A real passion and an exponential growth in my knowledge and confidence began when I discovered that a local club had been set up.
I propagate plants constantly from seedlings, cuttings, air-layers, and grafting. They range from sticks in pots to thick ones growing on in garden beds. I also collect yamadori each winter.
For me it’s become a lifestyle.
I've written several articles on bonsai that are reproduced here and have contributed to two of Craig Coussins books, including being technical editor on one.
Chairman of the Vale of Clwyd Bonsai Society for three years.
I’ve been a serial hobbyist since my teens; as well as the Propagation, Alpines, & Cacti, I'm a keen Mountaineer, into Canoeing, Speleology, Photography, Writing, Video, Web Design, Computer Building, Palaeontology, Suiseki, Pottery, Gardening and too many others that I really should curtail, but can't. Overriding them all for the last fourteen years - bonsai.
College, marriage and a career in teaching kept me away for a few years, until my interests in gardening were re-awakened through mountaineering and alpine plants. Then back into bonsai once more when I discovered Dan Barton's book. A real passion and an exponential growth in my knowledge and confidence began when I discovered that a local club had been set up.
I propagate plants constantly from seedlings, cuttings, air-layers, and grafting. They range from sticks in pots to thick ones growing on in garden beds. I also collect yamadori each winter.
For me it’s become a lifestyle.
I've written several articles on bonsai that are reproduced here and have contributed to two of Craig Coussins books, including being technical editor on one.
Chairman of the Vale of Clwyd Bonsai Society for three years.
I’ve been a serial hobbyist since my teens; as well as the Propagation, Alpines, & Cacti, I'm a keen Mountaineer, into Canoeing, Speleology, Photography, Writing, Video, Web Design, Computer Building, Palaeontology, Suiseki, Pottery, Gardening and too many others that I really should curtail, but can't. Overriding them all for the last fourteen years - bonsai.
Mauro Stemberger
At the age of 14 was fascinated about Bonsai Art and started his passion with the local Bonsai club Feltre. During period from 1994-2001 he had the change to join workshops with important European bonsai masters like , Hotsumi Terakawa , Marc Noelander , Horst Crekler , Edoardo Rossi , Salvatore Liporace and much more.
From 2008 to 2010 was President of UBI ( Italian Bonsai association ) and director of UBI bonsai magazine .
Currently and for the last four years he’s doing demonstrations and workshops for bonsai clubs and Associations ( Mexico-USA-Belgium-Germany-Holland-Italy-Croatia-England-Austria-France-Portugal-Czek Republic-Lithuania )
Michael Hagedorn
Michael Hagedorn is a bonsai artist who spent 2 1/2 years apprenticing under Shinji Suzuki of Nagano, Japan. Michael’s background ranges from painting and drawing to ceramic sculpture and installation. Following a Master’s degree in ceramics from the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, he made bonsai containers for nine years in upstate New York and Arizona. Michael’s bonsai work appeared in the Kokufu show in Tokyo in 2004, 2005, and 2006 while an apprentice, and Mr. Suzuki honored him with the opportunity to wire two trees that went on to win a Kokufu Prize and a Prime Minister Award. He lives near Portland, Oregon where he creates, teaches, and writes about bonsai. His book ‘Post-Dated: The Schooling of an Irreverent Bonsai Monk’, available on his blog crataegus.com, from Stone Lantern, or from Amazon.
Latest: How to ‘Pinch’ Junipers
Min Hsuan Lo
Min Hsuan Lo received the grand prize of the JAL World Bonsai Contest in 1999 and he has won several other honors since. He was one of the headliners at BCI 2004 in Taiwan and has traveled to Malaysia, the Philippines, South Africa, India, and U.S.A. He looks forward to more trips abroad to share his knowledge and to also learn more about bonsai in other countries.
LO was born in 1956 in Central Bonsai Garden. The family bonsai nursery was built by his father in 1947. As a child LO was at his father's side learning the art of bonsai. After graduating from the University of TAM KANG in Taiwan where he studied Chinese Literature, LO returned home to learn more about bonsai, not only from his father but also from every master in Taiwan.
He began teaching bonsai in Taiwan in 1992. In 2001 he started bonsai in Ken Kuo Technical University and in 2004, he become the bonsai teacher at Pei Tou Community University.
Mitchell Thomas
My name is Mitch Thomas I am 53 years old. I live in Slidell Louisiana. I attended Southeastern Louisiana University where I studied fine arts and technical drawing and drafting. I have retired from my buisness in 2012. I have a life long love affair with my wife Penne. We have 2 beautiful grown up children ages 29 and 31. I have always been a nature lover and observer. I have been practicing bonsai for about 20yrs. My first teacher was Guy Guidry. I competed and placed 1st runner up at Joshua Roth competition.
Myron Redding
I began collecting the miniature version of antique Chinese mud figures in the mid 1990’s, initially beginning with my interest in the Oriental art of Bonsai. It seemed to me mud figures were a natural extension of the potted tree art due to the certainty they were made from the same type of clay and glazed in a similar manner as my vintage bonsai pots.
There was an abundance of curiosity in the diminutive Asian curios at that time and their subsequent increase in popularity is the direct result of the Chinese reproduction figures saturating the import markets of today, reviving a renewed interest in the older antique mud figures.
Latest: Art of the Mud Man
paul stokes
Paul Stokes (USA) is an amateur bonsai enthusiast from Madison, Wisconsin. A web designer, internet and computer programmer, landscaper, construction worker, Paul has long been fascinated by the miniaturization of trees in pots. He has been involved with bonsai since 2000, when his girlfriend bought him a mini-bonsai starter kit for his birthday; he became a member of Badger Bonsai Society a year later.
Peter Krebs
PERMANENT ATTEMPTS,
PERMANENT FAILURE.
NEVER MIND, TRY IT AGAIN.
BETTER FAIL.
This dictum by Samuel Beckett pervades my work to a great extent. It explains very
clearly how my creative work has developed.
At the beginning I made bonsai pots just for the joy of it and now it has been more
than 30 years since I got involved with the handcrafting and spiritual depth of pottery.
I was born in 1943, am married since 1965 and have two sons and four
granddaughters. After school and some “wild years” during which I tried several
professions I served an apprenticeship for offset printing. After 25 years of
professional experience I realized that the creativity, spontaneity and the art of colour
handling in the world of printing has come to an end because of the new technologies
and machinery.
In January 1993 I risked to back out of my secure position to a job that I hoped would give more quality to my and my family’s life. As my pottery hobby ran parallel to my professional life I can build on a longtime experience in pottery and try today to fathom the last depths of this handcraft.
Bonsai pots are the book of my pottery work, consisting of clay,
written with earth and fire.
Each single pot is a page of this book, which was so much fun for me to write.
These pots provide an insight into my work.
My other hobbies have also become a profession. These are the construction of Japanese gardens and being a fitness coach with special qualification for spinal health, Pilates, Flexibar, Step-Aerobic, Stretching and Maxxf.
http://www.peter-krebs.de/
http://www.bonsaipots.net/
http://www.bonsaischalen.info/
Latest: BAMBOO RUSTLE
Robert Kempinski
Bonsai are like potato chips, no one can have just one. Unfortunately I found this out too late. Now my yard in my home in Melbourne, Florida is full of potato chips, rather bonsai trees. It started innocently enough when I first spied bonsai trees in person in 1982 at the Seoul House in Korea. The small microcosms of nature planted a seed, but I was a US Army officer then and couldn't pursue the art. Years later after starting a family and working closely with the Japanese Space Agency, I got acquainted with Japanese language and culture. The seed finally sprouted via a Live Oak acorn found in my yard. Thirteen years later my first tree is still alive and in a bonsai pot although due for a major restyle to fix some errors made way back then. Many other trees have since joined the oak as I have seriously pursued the art. Neighbors frequently spy me working by flashlight in the dark on my trees as I spend my daylight hours as a Director of Engineering at the Cape Canaveral Space Center for Computer Sciences Corporation, a US Fortune 500 Company. The tranquil pruning and shaping of bonsai serves as a perfect antidote to the count down induced stress of launching rockets and satellites.
Living in central Florida, USA, my collection is a mix of tropical and temperate trees that can take the heat of our summers and very mild winters. I especially like Buttonwood, Japanese Black Pine and Willow Leaf Ficus trees. I've had the good fortune to travel extensively around the US and the world visiting bonsai gardens and exhibitions. Lately I have been traveling sharing my knowledge and approach to bonsai, which as you can tell from my opening is both light hearted but earnest.
Due to my career I have had lots of leadership experience and have applied that to various bonsai organizations. Presently I am the 1st Vice President of Bonsai Clubs International. It is my desire to apply professional business acumen to improve BCI operations and subsequently the value of BCI membership. In doing so BCI will be able to help promote and elevate the art of bonsai across the globe.
Robert Steven
Robert Steven - Indonesia Bonsai artist, collector and teacher who has been traveling intensively around the world giving lectures, demos, workshops and judging. Own his permanent bonsai display center in Jakarta, Indonesia with over 500 bonsai collection and has won more than 200 awards in national and international contests. Well-known with his aesthetic and artistic approach in bonsai art. His first bonsai book "Vision of My Soul" had been best-seller and widely recommended as one of the best reference sources for bonsai art teaching and his second book "Mission of Transformation"; can both be ordered through www.stonelantern.com
His bonsai thought and collection can be viewed at his bonsai blog : http://robert-steven.ofbonsai.org
Sandy Wong
My passion in bonsai is initiated by my love of the nature, as well as my curiosity in this incredible living art form. Since the day I became an apprentice of the Lingnan penjing master, Mr. Wong Chiu Shing, I have been learning and picking up bonsai skills and techniques quite intensively. The learning curve is steep, and Teacher Wong is a perfectionist (so as all other bonsai masters I bet). Yet, nevertheless, I am very grateful with my apprenticeship, which has opened my eyes to the fascinating world of bonsai.
Stefan Rausch
Stefan Rausch was born and raised in Colorado, growing up hiking, hunting and fishing dominated most of his time ingraining his love for the Rocky Mountains. He started working with all types of plant material at an early age working his way up to a full time position in horticulture at one of Colorado's most premier country clubs. His brother saw this interest and soon invited him to a local bonsai show, this is where for the first time he saw the possibilities and artistic expression of bonsai and what could be done with local Rocky Mountain material. He is truly passionate about the progression and future of Bonsai as an art form, especially here in the United States. Stefan has been lucky enough to learn first hand from some of the best Yamadori collectors and Bonsai Artists such as Larry Jackel and Harold Sasaki.
Latest: Twin-Trunk, Two-Trunk – Sokan
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Victrinia Ridgeway
As a bonsai enthusiast, Victrinia started her journey in the summer of 2005. She quickly connected with the internationally known bonsai artist and teacher, Daniel Robinson. She later married fellow enthusiast Eric Ridgeway with whom she explores the art on a daily basis. Her trusty dog Widget faithfully guards their collection from all foes, especially cats and squirrels.
Youri Boerlage
I’m 29 years old, and I live together with my girlfriend in Amstelveen in the Netherlands. I studied garden architecture/ landscaping and have a great love for nature in general. I design gardens next to my work in tourism in Amsterdam, and of course my never ending bonsai work keeps me busy the rest of the time.
Since I got my first bonsai (Carmona) some years ago as a birthday gift ( it died….), I'm driven(and always busy) to learn everything there is to know about bonsai.
In the beginning I learned from everything I could get my hands on, this ranged from books (some quite outdated), to magazines like bonsai focus, and other enthusiasts. Most of my basic knowledge comes from trying to copy things I would read and seeing the results first hand. After finding out such a thing exists, I Became a member of Bonsai Vereniging
Noord- Holland (bonsai association north Holland, and since then I’ve had lessons from many national and international bonsai masters over the last few years, amongst who: Marc Noelanders, Hotsumi Terakawa, Carlos v/d Vaart, Bruno Wijman and many others.
I participated in competitions and shows such as the Dutch national new talent contest, and followed several master classes and courses organized by my club and the Dutch bonsai association.
Over the years I’ve collected quite an amount of trees ranging from Japanese and European seedlings/cuttings to nursery stock to yama/urbandori. And still I want to dig out (although not always possible) every tree I see that has even the slightest possibility to style into a
bonsai…..
My personal preference in bonsai styles is literati/ bunjin, because for me they embody the raw essence of a tree growing on a mountainside, healthy and strong, though Mother Nature batters it with the worst she can give. To me the clear lines and natural rawness of a well
styled bunjin are bonsai in its purest art form.
My favourite treetypes are conifers (juniper, pine, spruce), and some of the beaten track deciduous trees (I love Tamarix), but in general I love to work on every type of tree.
I hope to help out others seeing the trees through the branches, by sharing the knowledge I’ve gathered over time. At the same time I still learn new things everyday, from my trees, trees in nature, magazines
and my bonsai friends.
