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Purging...Thanks!
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Box Store Juniper #1
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0soyoung
Imperial Masterpiece
How do you avoid just making the same image again and again and again?
A couple of months ago I tried doing two junipers in 4 hours. They were different when I started, but in the end I pretty much reproduced the same image (I quickly morphed into a one trick pony under the time pressure). I've looked at all your trees briefly and you didn't seem to fall into this trap. But are you an n-trick pony (n= 3, 4, 5, ...) for these exercises or do you have a formula, such as if the tree has one long branch, I do x; do y if something else ...?
0soyoung
Imperial Masterpiece
Thanks, Stacey.
Inevitably the most eye catching and initially interesting feature of every bonsai, for me, is the canopy. Thus, I'm thinking that I get fixated on putting the foliage in certain places and then trying to engineer the tree to make that canopy.
What I am taking away from this is that I need to just accept that the tree is dictated by the trunk and a #1 branch – just get used to it or get rid of it.
o Then, get rid of branches that are too stiff, too short, etc = simplify don’t complicate.
o Then, adjust the foliage to disguise faults and add drama (negative space).
I think you’ve been helpful, but am I getting it or still missing the point?
Inevitably the most eye catching and initially interesting feature of every bonsai, for me, is the canopy. Thus, I'm thinking that I get fixated on putting the foliage in certain places and then trying to engineer the tree to make that canopy.
What I am taking away from this is that I need to just accept that the tree is dictated by the trunk and a #1 branch – just get used to it or get rid of it.
o Then, get rid of branches that are too stiff, too short, etc = simplify don’t complicate.
o Then, adjust the foliage to disguise faults and add drama (negative space).
I think you’ve been helpful, but am I getting it or still missing the point?
0soyoung
Imperial Masterpiece
Now I have some confidence that I may yet create beautiful bonsai.
From what you just said, another bullet point for me is:
but don't try to copy it (the artistic version of insanity?).
I recognize that I am very guilty of trying to replicate those images that excite me. Ironically, I do have one tree that isn't embarassing. When I 'styled' it, I had no ideas of the image I wanted it to see. I just sorta picked through it and was struck by the cute tree within (gawd, I'm good at this!). Since then it has been one frustration after another for me, basically because I've been trying to emulate images I like. You've really helped draw my attention to this point and to a few key principles that I should focus on.
Maybe ...
Thanks again, Stacey.
From what you just said, another bullet point for me is:
- If I'm in love with a particular tree, either buy it or just admire it,
but don't try to copy it (the artistic version of insanity?).
I recognize that I am very guilty of trying to replicate those images that excite me. Ironically, I do have one tree that isn't embarassing. When I 'styled' it, I had no ideas of the image I wanted it to see. I just sorta picked through it and was struck by the cute tree within (gawd, I'm good at this!). Since then it has been one frustration after another for me, basically because I've been trying to emulate images I like. You've really helped draw my attention to this point and to a few key principles that I should focus on.
Maybe ...
Thanks again, Stacey.
0soyoung
Imperial Masterpiece
You know, the only think spookier than no response to a post is having only two repondents. Not meaning to deny you the final word, Stacy, I carry on nontheless.
What an intriguing idea – I should see how many distinct styles I can ‘morph’ each single tree into (an LSD experience – mind expanding, man). I say ‘each’ instead of ‘a’ because I ought to do the exercise with more than one tree and probably more than one specie. Good idea. Thanks
Yes, while I acknowledge your points, I must say that I really don’t like the standard cryptomeria bonsai style that is really niwaki which isn’t a favorite of mine either. But it is the iconic Japanese tree styling. Nothing marks a Japanese garden space more distictly that two or three niwaki.
In bonsai, however, it is the inevitable result of being a ‘pinch-aholic' with cryptomeria, chamacyparus, and thuja. I think better things are possible with these species if the foliage is treated a bit differently (one must accommodate foliage that may seem ‘shaggy’).
Maybe it is just contrasts how a geek approaches bonsai as opposed to how an artist approaches it (of course it could be simply that I am odd) because I have (or have had) at least one of just about every specie found at my local garden centers. I’ve also grown trees from seed I collected (just for the experience), potted and grown volunteer seedlings found in my yard, and air-layered just about every one of them (there’s more, but suffice it to say that I took a deep dive into tree physiology). I have never bought a tree for its form other than low branches, not bad nebari, not bad trunk, interesting foliage that might be nice on a bonsai.
Maybe I made a long series of big mistakes for by amassing a collection of many different species that I have reduced to a bonsai suitable sizes and know how to care for. I am now trying to learn the ‘art part’ after the fact rather. Unlike the sensible process you envision, I am going at this by the Rumsfeld method (i.e., with the trees I have, not the ones I wish I had).
I’d best quit rambling, which I will do now.
What an intriguing idea – I should see how many distinct styles I can ‘morph’ each single tree into (an LSD experience – mind expanding, man). I say ‘each’ instead of ‘a’ because I ought to do the exercise with more than one tree and probably more than one specie. Good idea. Thanks
Yes, while I acknowledge your points, I must say that I really don’t like the standard cryptomeria bonsai style that is really niwaki which isn’t a favorite of mine either. But it is the iconic Japanese tree styling. Nothing marks a Japanese garden space more distictly that two or three niwaki.
In bonsai, however, it is the inevitable result of being a ‘pinch-aholic' with cryptomeria, chamacyparus, and thuja. I think better things are possible with these species if the foliage is treated a bit differently (one must accommodate foliage that may seem ‘shaggy’).
Once one learns these fundamentals then one begins to grow and they then stop
Looking at buying trees to make a certain style tree and instead buy a tree for what
The tree has to offer... the style is not even a consideration at this point, you just make
What works best to bring out these features.
Maybe it is just contrasts how a geek approaches bonsai as opposed to how an artist approaches it (of course it could be simply that I am odd) because I have (or have had) at least one of just about every specie found at my local garden centers. I’ve also grown trees from seed I collected (just for the experience), potted and grown volunteer seedlings found in my yard, and air-layered just about every one of them (there’s more, but suffice it to say that I took a deep dive into tree physiology). I have never bought a tree for its form other than low branches, not bad nebari, not bad trunk, interesting foliage that might be nice on a bonsai.
Maybe I made a long series of big mistakes for by amassing a collection of many different species that I have reduced to a bonsai suitable sizes and know how to care for. I am now trying to learn the ‘art part’ after the fact rather. Unlike the sensible process you envision, I am going at this by the Rumsfeld method (i.e., with the trees I have, not the ones I wish I had).
I’d best quit rambling, which I will do now.
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Paradox
Marine Bonsologist
Doesnt mean others arent reading, they just dont have anything to contribute at this time.
