Apr 1 2012

Bonsai Potter Showcase #3 Dan Barton Video

I encountered Dan Barton in 1991 at the Bonsai World Convention in Birmingham UK and he was the first ‘true’ bonsai artist I studied with.

Over the years I have helped Dan with his computer skills and in return he has helped me with my bonsai. We are close friends and Dan is someone dear to my heart.

In this interview Dan tells us what excites him and how he relates the character of the pot to the character of the tree.

Take a look at Dans pots on his blog here

Mar 12 2012

British Shohin Association Annual Show 2012 photos and movie

I have just returned home for the BSA Show at Willowbog…Willowbog is in the wilds of Northern England 5 mile along a single track road off the main road network. It took me a total of seven hours travelling to get to the show and what a show. The Quality of display and the excellence of the trees is the best we have ever seen in one show in the UK.

The BSA has really come into its own with the group producing a wonderful event with a great friendly atmosphere. John Armitage and Peter Warren were on hand to offer advice and they gave a ‘trade secrets’ demo/talk in the afternoon. Andy Hardman (who was celebrating his 50th Birthday) gave talk on Accent plants, the room was so full I could not get in! I also managed to interview two more potter for my potters showcase series.

Scroll to bottom for Movie

Feb 23 2012

Strange pot for a semi cascade Juniper

I have had this juniper for over ten years, I bought it because I wanted a Japanese Juniper in my collection, this little tree has been the most expensive tree in my garden, because I paid so much for this tree I have been reluctant to part with it, most of my collection consists of yamadori that I have collected.

This tree was originally Moyogi with set branches in a typically imported tree. However the tree suffered from vine weevil about 7 years ago and lost but one branch! It has stood in my garden looking very sorry for all this time…. In fact…many of my bonsai ‘friends’ have made fun of me for paying so much for a runt of a tree.

Some times a particular pot can stimulate an idea, this is one such pot. My friend from Holland Hans Van Meer, gave me this pot by William Vlaanderen because I believed this tree would ‘work’. The idea for this pot is Hans. I think that this runt of a tree will develop into an interesting bonsai… you saw it here first…what do you think?

Feb 21 2012

Bonsai Potter Showcase #1 Andy Pearson Stone Monkey

Andy Pearson at Stone Monkey Ceramics, is the first potter to be featured in my ‘Bonsai Potter Showcase”. I will featured a new potter once a month here on my blog, other potters that have been ‘interviewed’ to date are: Dan Barton and David Jones of Walsall Ceramics.

I have known Andy since his early days working in ceramics and I am fortunate to have some of his early work… including his first foray into Raku. Over the years Andy has developed a keen eye for detail, his work being very much in demand by the Shohin specialist. A great artist and I advise you to buy now as The Monkeys work will be collectable pieces in the future, as has been demonstrated with Andy’s annual ‘Collector’s Edition’ pots. Limited Edition or ‘one off’ pots that have shaken up the bonsai world with their finesse and beauty.