2016 US National Bonsai Exhibition

[coh]

Unfortunately, as I mentioned before the whole composition of the piece was thrown off, by the tree not being placed with it's correct front

Yeah, your tree was definitely situated differently on the stand when I saw it. The "pot" was oriented parallel to the front of the stand, not angled like you show in your photo. I wasn't involved in moving your tree at all, so I don't know if it was initially set up that way or if it got put back incorrectly after a move. If I had realized the adjustment that was needed, I would have had it re-positioned...but I didn't see your post on that until it was too late. Still looked good, but it is obvious now that the small angle adjustment does make a significant difference.

 

[coh]

Some better photos of the exhibition can be found at https://www.facebook.com/bonsaiempi...862804005271/1262467560444784/?type=3&theater

Yes, it's on facebook but it doesn't look like you need to be a member to view this album.

 

[A Random User]

Yeah, your tree was definitely situated differently on the stand when I saw it. The "pot" was oriented parallel to the front of the stand, not angled like you show in your photo. I wasn't involved in moving your tree at all, so I don't know if it was initially set up that way or if it got put back incorrectly after a move. If I had realized the adjustment that was needed, I would have had it re-positioned...but I didn't see your post on that until it was too late. Still looked good, but it is obvious now that the small angle adjustment does make a significant difference.

It's no problem, as I mentioned before, just glad the tree was there and I got to participate, and show my vision!

 

[A Random User]

I have noticed that I had as well, quite a few of my Scrolls being used... so that was cool!

Did anyone see the scroll Owen used that I did for his tree and his pumpkin accent?

Or get a chance to stop by and see Bjorn ' s booth and see the Scrolls I had for sale there?
Just curious of what folks thought of the work?

 

[Chuah]

I have noticed that I had as well, quite a few of m

Did anyone see the scroll Owen used that I did for his tree and his pumpkin accent?

This scroll has an ancient warrior on horseback wielding an axe, and some splash of red, presumably blood. Definitely PG-13, LOL. May be you can tell us the story behind this scroll painting?

I also saw the scroll you did for the Knowlton's pond cypress.

 

[Chuah]

View attachment 116880
Thanks for the info! I appreciate it!
What David was describing is what I was going for. ...!

Thanks for the detailed explanation of your creation. Do you also design and make the table? It looks like an ancient altar.

 

[Paradox]

Still hangover from an awesome weekend!! Good friends to go along with a fantastic exhibition!! The bar has been raised yet again. Huge, impressive pieces from out west, but also some beautiful, smaller and more quite trees that were also awarded.

A few innovative displays made their way into the exhibition raising questions and challenging bonsai traditions. Some more successful than others but much credit goes for pushing frontiers.

Overall outstanding event that should not be missed. I had a chance to meet and chat with Tony Tickle who was one of the judges. He said the US is getting very close to catching up with Europe at the level of a Noelanders. Bill Valavanis got a big and well deserved standing ovation at the awards ceremony. He and his crew have worked tirelessly, pulling a magnificent show together so that folks like me can just come and enjoy the beauty of this art with good friends. I also met up with Ryan Neil and discussed what an exciting time for American bonsai this is. The creative energy at the venue was palpable.

Congrats to Hoe and Soon and all the winners! I had the pleasure of meeting Hoe and Soon and just happened to sit right next to them at the awards banquet. Not only great people but also very talented!

I thank all the old and new friends I met. It is not only great trees that make an exhibition successful, but also the people in it.

Have to lie down now!

I second that emotion.
I left Victor at 6:40 this morning and got home at 3PM and Im exhausted as well.
Was a great show.
Bill and all the volunteers and everyone that helped to pull it off deserve a huge thanks for pulling it off.
I hope Bill V will finally sit down to rest and allow himself to heal. It was painful watching him half running around the show while gimping and limping.
Guy needs to take a break and heal up now.

 

[Chuah]

Still hangover from an awesome weekend!! Good friends to go along with.

Agreed, still feel overwhelmed.

Congrats to Hoe and Soon and all the winners! I had the pleasure of meeting Hoe and Soon and just happened to sit right next to them at the awards banquet. Not only great people but also very talented!

I thank all the old and new friends I met. It is not only great trees that make an exhibition successful, but also the people in it.

Thanks Sergio for suggesting the placement and adjustment of the kusamono. Soon really loves your weed accent. You are great, we are so happy to chat with your parents. They are very proud of your achievements, both in work as well as in bonsai. It is so nice your mom shared with us a number of family photos. So great to meet you in person.

We are very fortunate to have so many great artists helping and suggesting modifications here and there. It is a very valuable learning experience.

 

[Chuah]

Some better photos of the exhibition can be found at https://www.facebook.com/bonsaiempi...862804005271/1262467560444784/?type=3&theater

Yes, it's on facebook but it doesn't look like you need to be a member to view this album.

Chris, you are a strong man moving those big trees for Joe to photograph.

 

[Chuah]

Chris, you and the volunteers worked very hard to make the show successful. Moving those big trees need muscle and technique.

 

[Adair M]

Chris, you and the volunteers worked very hard to make the show successful. Moving those big trees need muscle and technique.

Yeah, if he's strong enough to move those trees around, he's certainly strong enough to bend little bits of wire around branches and not have to resort to guy wires!

(Sorry, Coh, I just couldn't stop myself!!!). Lol!! It was great to meet you, and I, too, appreciate all the hard work you, Bill, and all the Valued Volunteers did to pull off a spectacular show. The heat made the work even more exhausting!

 

[A Random User]

This scroll has an ancient warrior on horseback wielding an axe, and some splash of red, presumably blood. Definitely PG-13, LOL. May be you can tell us the story behind this scroll painting?

I also saw the scroll you did for the Knowlton's pond cypress.

Sure thing... @Owen Reich tree was a Virginia Creeper. The story he wanted to portray with his tree was that of Ichabod Crane and the legend of Sleepy Hollow... the Headless Horseman. So the scroll depicted this. His accent piece was the pumpkin... which as the story goes replaced the Horseman's lost head. He forwarded a picture of his tree and display to me and said I could share it, but I know he is a member here, and don't want to take away his chance to share it himself, if he is wanting to do so...

I am not sure which scroll the Knowlton used? I have done numerous scrolls for them over the years... It was probably the Bald Cypress forest, but not certain... Don't have a finished picture of the scroll, but here is the main image, if it was the one I am thinking they used.


I saw one of my older Scrolls a Buffalo, which I now believe Andrew Smith is using...


Louise Lester was planning on using this Kingfisher


Mike Humphrey used this landscape scroll I did...


Ed Trout used a White Egret, and Everglade Scroll I did... cant find a picture of the scroll itself. So, grabbed a picture of from FB with some crazy fellows in front! If you can make it out past them!


And I had quite a few more, that I know of. Last exhibition I had close to 30 scrolls in peoples displays... Not as many this time around... but still glad to see them being used!

 

[coh]

Yeah, if he's strong enough to move those trees around, he's certainly strong enough to bend little bits of wire around branches and not have to resort to guy wires!

(Sorry, Coh, I just couldn't stop myself!!!). Lol!! It was great to meet you, and I, too, appreciate all the hard work you, Bill, and all the Valued Volunteers did to pull off a spectacular show. The heat made the work even more exhausting!

Adair, did you see all those guy wires on trees at the Exhibition?! I don't feel bad about using them now! I really did want to add one to your pine.

As for moving the trees...Saturday was exhausting with the combination of the crowds and the heat. I know my limits, though - there were some trees that I refused to try to move. Did you see that giant ficus on the back wall? I think there was a sizable rock embedded in that trunk. Took 3 guys with stronger backs than mine to move it, and they could barely do it. It almost didn't fit through the door to the photo studio (several other trees didn't fit, I guess they were photographed in place). Fortunately, in addition to the local crew, we had help from a bunch of exhibitors who pitched in...Dave from Toronto (I think that was his name) was there from the start of set up to the final takedown. Thanks to all of you who helped!

Chris

 

[coh]

I have noticed that I had as well, quite a few of my Scrolls being used... so that was cool!

Did anyone see the scroll Owen used that I did for his tree and his pumpkin accent?

Or get a chance to stop by and see Bjorn ' s booth and see the Scrolls I had for sale there?
Just curious of what folks thought of the work?

You know, I meant to take a look at your scrolls at Bjorn's booth, but completely forgot. I have to admit, I'm not really into scrolls and don't often even notice them in the displays...I'm focusing on the trees. But I did see the kingfisher and thought it was probably yours.

 

[Vin]

Sure thing... @Owen Reich tree was a Virginia Creeper. The story he wanted to portray with his tree was that of Ichabod Crane and the legend of Sleepy Hollow... the Headless Horseman. So the scroll depicted this. His accent piece was the pumpkin... which as the story goes replaced the Horseman's lost head. He forwarded a picture of his tree and display to me and said I could share it, but I know he is a member here, and don't want to take away his chance to share it himself, if he is wanting to do so...

I'd really like to see this one. You've piqued my interest for sure.

 

[MACH5]

Nice tree group planting!
When you wake up, tell us about your acrylic stands.

Thanks Stacy!

The acrylic stand/jita idea was inspired by seeing some Japanese scrolls were the trees in the mountains were painted in a way where they seemingly floated amidst the fog. In a simplified and abstracted way, I wanted to express the idea of air and water using the acrylic. Where the forest may have been seen as floating, the kusamono was meant to be standing in water. I also like the contrast between the natural and the artificial. In a way we still see it on the every bonsai where the natural meets the artificial (pot) only this time the contrast is heightened. As far as I know, it was well received with perhaps the exception of one critique I heard where it was said that I had used too many different materials.

 

[Adair M]

I'd really like to see this one. You've piqued my interest for sure.

I think it's on Facebook.

 

[Adair M]

Adair, did you see all those guy wires on trees at the Exhibition?! I don't feel bad about using them now! I really did want to add one to your pine.

As for moving the trees...Saturday was exhausting with the combination of the crowds and the heat. I know my limits, though - there were some trees that I refused to try to move. Did you see that giant ficus on the back wall? I think there was a sizable rock embedded in that trunk. Took 3 guys with stronger backs than mine to move it, and they could barely do it. It almost didn't fit through the door to the photo studio (several other trees didn't fit, I guess they were photographed in place). Fortunately, in addition to the local crew, we had help from a bunch of exhibitors who pitched in...Dave from Toronto (I think that was his name) was there from the start of set up to the final takedown. Thanks to all of you who helped!

Chris

I did. There were too many of them. Some of the trees should not have been displayed because they weren't really ready!

 

[Vin]

I think it's on Facebook.

Thanks, I found it. I wasn't expecting to see it defoliated. Lots of movement. Mine sure has a long way to go.

 

[Chuah]

The Knowltons used the bald cypress forest for their Pond Cypress. I saw the scrolls used by Mike Humphy and Ed Trout but don't remember seeing the buffalo and kingfisher scroll.
Owen Reich's Virginia Creeper was fully defoliated.