American Bonsai Potters

[Vin]

Since he won't step forward, Adam Holden - Warrenton, MO. I can provide images of his Stainless Steel Pots including one crazy one that hasn't been seen before.

 

[Waldo Street Pottery]

Interesting thoughts everyone. In my humble 3 years of bonsai pot making I have learned much from "mistakes" while honing skills. Some good, some not so good. I have certainly made loud pots that I put a lot of effort in. I have also made subtle pots that I put an equal amount of effort in. Sometimes (many times) you just don't know what you're going to get; you expect subtle, you get loud and vice versa. The idea of finding a glaze or combination that I think the bonsai masses will like and accept (and purchase), and repeating it ad-nauseam, is boring and canned to me, maybe this will change over time. For now I'd rather take my chances, push my own artistic envelope and see what I get.

As an "artist" (I really "just do..."), I try to make things that please me. If they resonate with others (and I hope they do), great, let's make a deal. It continues to interest me that the pot on my sales table that I think is "the best one" is often overlooked by the general bonsai public. But, the ones I dislike the most seem to be the first to go.

With what seems like a big push for American Bonsai, have things have gotten a bit louder in US pots along with this, or, has this long been an issue with American bonsai potters? It's not something I've tried to push the envelope on, but, restraining my creativity within this medium is not something I've done either. Could it go hand in hand with the difference in cultures and evolution of an art form as it relates to different societies? Maybe it's logical progression and the eye of bonsai artists is/has evolved to a broader acceptance. Please note, I honor and appreciate tradition and I believe there will always be a place for a simple, un-glazed Bigei or single colored Yamafusa pot. But, I also see that tree styling has grown and evolved over time, why should we assume the containers wouldn't as well?

The same as the blues evolved from Robert Johnson and Howlin' Wolf to Led Zeppelin to The White Stripes, there will always be those who take artistic inspiration and move forward with it and create something the same, but different. There will also always be those purists who kick and scream against it along the way.

 

[Waltron]

Harry Harrington just posted this on facebook, even the Brits are coming stateside for some grade A bonsai pots! thought id share here as it seemed relevant. I purchased a book on pottery and firing recently as im thinking it would be a cool little hobby and maybe save some money and down the road, the verdict is out on both of those yet haha.

"I am so pleased with this pot, just out of the kiln of the very talented US bonsai potter Roy Minarai. Hand-made nanban by Roy, the 9" diameter pot has been made for a yamadori Hawthorn of mine he spotted on Facebook last year, I can't wait to get tree and pot united this Spring!"

 

[Carol 83]

Since he won't step forward, Adam Holden - Warrenton, MO. I can provide images of his Stainless Steel Pots including one crazy one that hasn't been seen before.

Please do post pictures. I got a nice tree from him, but haven't seen any of his pots.

 

[rockm]

Interesting thoughts everyone. In my humble 3 years of bonsai pot making I have learned much from "mistakes" while honing skills. Some good, some not so good. I have certainly made loud pots that I put a lot of effort in. I have also made subtle pots that I put an equal amount of effort in. Sometimes (many times) you just don't know what you're going to get; you expect subtle, you get loud and vice versa. The idea of finding a glaze or combination that I think the bonsai masses will like and accept (and purchase), and repeating it ad-nauseam, is boring and canned to me, maybe this will change over time. For now I'd rather take my chances, push my own artistic envelope and see what I get.

As an "artist" (I really "just do..."), I try to make things that please me. If they resonate with others (and I hope they do), great, let's make a deal. It continues to interest me that the pot on my sales table that I think is "the best one" is often overlooked by the general bonsai public. But, the ones I dislike the most seem to be the first to go.

With what seems like a big push for American Bonsai, have things have gotten a bit louder in US pots along with this, or, has this long been an issue with American bonsai potters? It's not something I've tried to push the envelope on, but, restraining my creativity within this medium is not something I've done either. Could it go hand in hand with the difference in cultures and evolution of an art form as it relates to different societies? Maybe it's logical progression and the eye of bonsai artists is/has evolved to a broader acceptance. Please note, I honor and appreciate tradition and I believe there will always be a place for a simple, un-glazed Bigei or single colored Yamafusa pot. But, I also see that tree styling has grown and evolved over time, why should we assume the containers wouldn't as well?

The same as the blues evolved from Robert Johnson and Howlin' Wolf to Led Zeppelin to The White Stripes, there will always be those who take artistic inspiration and move forward with it and create something the same, but different. There will also always be those purists who kick and scream against it along the way.

Stick around. You're hardly the first to push the envelope and learn that envelope pushing is just...envelope pushing. What you think is "terrific" and avante garde will strike many. many serious buyers as silly, or worse, not worth the time.

Some of the most successful American bonsai potters haven't looked to Dali for inspiration, but to ancient Korean, Japanese and Chinese pottery. Don Gould (far, far, FAR ahead of his time in understanding what bonsai pots were ) studied ancient Asian glazes and pottery forms to inform his initial work. It showed. His older work still shines brilliantly. Later, after he quit to make teapots, he returned to bonsai as an "arteest" introducing Roman looking columns and computer aided design elements to his pots. That work mostly sucked.

You are seeing why making great bonsai pots isn't easy. It requires complete command of the clay and the ability to work that expertise within very tight parameters. It's mostly easier to say "I HAVE TO BE ME" and avoid the restrictions the artform demands, than hammer your talents to make it fit. To impress buyers, you have to "be you" within a very small space without putting "Your" stamp on MY tree. Sorry...

Take all this as an insult if you want, but I'd rather you take it as a challenge.

I've been doing bonsai for over 25 years now. I've seen good western bonsai potters become hellaciously GREAT bonsai potters and I've seen decent potters give in to the easy way out. The great ones are still working, most of the decent ones have moved on or given up....

 

[Waldo Street Pottery]

Stick around. You're hardly the first to push the envelope and learn that envelope pushing is just...envelope pushing. What you think is "terrific" and avante garde will strike many. many serious buyers as silly, or worse, not worth the time.

Some of the most successful American bonsai potters haven't looked to Dali for inspiration, but to ancient Korean, Japanese and Chinese pottery. Don Gould (far, far, FAR ahead of his time in understanding what bonsai pots were ) studied ancient Asian glazes and pottery forms to inform his initial work. It showed. His older work still shines brilliantly. Later, after he quit to make teapots, he returned to bonsai as an "arteest" introducing Roman looking columns and computer aided design elements to his pots. That work mostly sucked.

You are seeing why making great bonsai pots isn't easy. It requires complete command of the clay and the ability to work that expertise within very tight parameters. It's mostly easier to say "I HAVE TO BE ME" and avoid the restrictions the artform demands, than hammer your talents to make it fit. To impress buyers, you have to "be you" within a very small space without putting "Your" stamp on MY tree. Sorry...

Take all this as an insult if you want, but I'd rather you take it as a challenge.

I've been doing bonsai for over 25 years now. I've seen good western bonsai potters become hellaciously GREAT bonsai potters and I've seen decent potters give in to the easy way out. The great ones are still working, most of the decent ones have moved on or given up....

I agree to most of your sentiments here. I have made odd shaped containers and oddball glaze combos that when I look at them now they seem silly or garish. As well, I look back to my American predecessors and contemporaries for most of my inspiration; specifically Don Gould and Max Braverman, who studied the Chinese to a great extent, as I understand. I do love containers from all over the world, but like my musical reference earlier, I liked the Rolling Stones first, Muddy Waters second.

I don't hear your thoughts as insulting, I know better than to read the wrong inflection from and internet post. I think your thoughts come from an educated and experienced place, and feel that much of your previous statement echoes my limited experience as a potter. Finding a voice within certain parameters is what making a great bonsai pot requires. That's what I'm after in my wares. That and pushing the envelope.

 

[Stickroot]

Since he won't step forward, Adam Holden - Warrenton, MO. I can provide images of his Stainless Steel Pots including one crazy one that hasn't been seen before.

Hey Thanks @Vin when I saw the thread I could only think of Sonny Boggs, which I do love all pots equally for different reasons.
You know I got my first Sonny pot from you Vin!

 

[Vin]

Hey Thanks @Vin when I saw the thread I could only think of Sonny Boggs, which I do love all pots equally for different reasons.
You know I got my first Sonny pot from you Vin!

Don't forget you have three orders in the bank. For now, just give all the attention you can to that beautiful bride of yours until she has the baby in a few weeks.

 

[Stickroot]

Don't forget you have three orders in the bank. For now, just give all the attention you can to that beautiful bride of yours until she has the baby in a few weeks.

I am doing just that! We are so excited for the baby boy!
I haven't forgot about the pots and I am excited to start with material ready.
I have been behind on a lot lately, but I am a week away from having shop time back to create! I have been out with on-site work and not much creative stuff either.

 

[thams]

Alright everyone - I've been working on the website for a few hours every night and I think I have the bones of it established. Feel free to take a look and let me know what you think.

This is my first time making a website, so I'm learning as I go. I'll be making continual improvements and obviously be adding a ton of new content over the coming weeks. I need to tweak the menu content a little as well. I just wanted to add something there as a placeholder.

Americanbonsaiceramics.com

 

[thams]

Also, I meant to add that my list of potters is currently up to 103 artists. I'll be soliciting the community to provide pictures and bio information soon. Even though I'm paying for the website, I really intend for it to be a resource for everyone. The website won't really reach its full potential without the help of you all. I appreciate the pictures I've received so far!

 

[Solange]

Looking good thams. You are on your way. If I may make a suggestion it's that there be some hot linkable list of the potters, otherwise I suspect that resource page is going to be very difficult to find anyone in.

 

[thams]

Looking good thams. You are on your way. If I may make a suggestion it's that there is some hot linkable list of the potters, otherwise I suspect that resource page is going to be very difficult to find anyone in.

Agreed, I'm working on that now. I'm having trouble having my posts fall under the featured potters menu option. If I can figure that out, then the search function will actually pull up the potter's info instead of the whole string. I'm sure there's a way to do it, I'm just technically challenged at the moment.

 

[JudyB]

I have Chuck Iker and Randy Doughty custom pot pictures... let me know if you want them and where to send them.

 

[Vin]

Before moving forward, you may want to ask permission to post images from the various potters/photographers. Especially if they were obtained from the "internet". Whomever takes the photo has to give permission for you to use it. What you're trying to do is noteworthy and I'm sure you don't want to get caught up in some sort of legal issue.

 

[thams]

Before moving forward, you may want to ask permission to post images from the various potters/photographers. Especially if they were obtained from the "internet". Whomever takes the photo has to give permission for you to use it. What you're trying to do is noteworthy and I'm sure you don't want to get caught up in some sort of legal issue.

Agreed. All pictures on the site were taken by me or individuals that sent me photos for explicit use on the site. Any pictures obtained from here on out will be done above board. Trust me, the last thing I want is legal trouble or the bonsai community upset with me.

 

[Josh88]

Stick around. You're hardly the first to push the envelope and learn that envelope pushing is just...envelope pushing. What you think is "terrific" and avante garde will strike many. many serious buyers as silly, or worse, not worth the time.

Some of the most successful American bonsai potters haven't looked to Dali for inspiration, but to ancient Korean, Japanese and Chinese pottery. Don Gould (far, far, FAR ahead of his time in understanding what bonsai pots were ) studied ancient Asian glazes and pottery forms to inform his initial work. It showed. His older work still shines brilliantly. Later, after he quit to make teapots, he returned to bonsai as an "arteest" introducing Roman looking columns and computer aided design elements to his pots. That work mostly sucked.

You are seeing why making great bonsai pots isn't easy. It requires complete command of the clay and the ability to work that expertise within very tight parameters. It's mostly easier to say "I HAVE TO BE ME" and avoid the restrictions the artform demands, than hammer your talents to make it fit. To impress buyers, you have to "be you" within a very small space without putting "Your" stamp on MY tree. Sorry...

Take all this as an insult if you want, but I'd rather you take it as a challenge.

I've been doing bonsai for over 25 years now. I've seen good western bonsai potters become hellaciously GREAT bonsai potters and I've seen decent potters give in to the easy way out. The great ones are still working, most of the decent ones have moved on or given up....

As someone very new to collecting pots, I'm very curious to know which American potters are your favorite and most respected, and why?

 

[thams]

Anyone got any Paul Olson pot pictures? I'm looking at you @LanceMac10 - with your permission I'd love to use your photos and any others you might have.

 

[LanceMac10]

 

[LanceMac10]