PaulH
Omono
Mudmen in a bonsai planting certainly cheapen the artistic effect. But I have seen them used as an accent item in shows which can work very well if they are of good quality.
Of mudmen and accent rocks: thoughts?
- Thread starter Dr3z
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Mike Corazzi
Masterpiece
IF one uses convincing figures, it's very nice and artistic like.
Clustered under a formal upright, they'd be a real winner.
Clustered under a formal upright, they'd be a real winner.
Michael P
Omono
Mud gnomes! Do I dare remind everyone of Nick Lenz' mud tank, mud Penelope, mud egg, etc?
Starfox
Masterpiece
I´d rather Lego than mudmen.
Wulfskaar
Omono
Stupid squirrels are making my garden look like Pointe du Hoc. These guys may be more appropriate for me.
TinyArt
Chumono
@Michael P — Thanks for mentioning Nick Lenz’s work!!! Great stuff, I think the architectural ruin might be my favorite....
The Art of Bonsai Project - Feature Gallery: The Bonsai of Nick Lenz
About The Art of Bonsai Project. An effort to explore the aesthetic and artistic elements of bonsai, including technical composition, presentation, display and other ways in which bonsai impacts the human eye and soul.
artofbonsai.org
TinyArt
Chumono
TinyArt
Chumono
And these turn up too —
Mike Corazzi
Masterpiece
HorseloverFat
Squarepants with Conkers
A little mud “Hexxus” from Fern Gully would be SWEET!
...
On a slightly more serious note.. I’ve been considering ruins, wells, bridges, temples, teepees and other native american structures (made from clay) in North American miniaturized landscapes featuring TinyTrees!
...
On a slightly more serious note.. I’ve been considering ruins, wells, bridges, temples, teepees and other native american structures (made from clay) in North American miniaturized landscapes featuring TinyTrees!
Wulfskaar
Omono
I hope to see what you come up with. It sounds very interesting to me!On a slightly more serious note.. I’ve been considering ruins, wells, bridges, temples, teepees and other native american structures (made from clay) in North American miniaturized landscapes featuring TinyTrees!
ShadyStump
Imperial Masterpiece
I love the one that looks like bricks with trees growing out of it. Perfectly combines my appreciations of trees and architecture.
The tanks are not out of context, either. I've seen many photos of wreckage left from WWII being over grown by wilderness. Though I will admit his examples are slightly contrived.
The antelope skull, however, I have seen similar in real life also. Not OVER a skull, but growing out of it.
My goal is to some day have an entire diorama of sorts that includes real trees and plants, miniatures, and a flowing stream that ideally would work in conjunction with watering needs and a fish pond.
Ah, the pipe dreams I imagine.
My kids would be on-board with this plan for sure!
See that middle one sparks joy...
Bonsaidoorguy
Chumono
Top shelf of one of my benches in partial shade this guy has been contemplating life for a while. Both rocks and mudmen. 
ShadyStump
Imperial Masterpiece
Angkor Wat is classic standard I've not seen imitated though it's ripe for it.
Leo in N E Illinois
The Professor
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Unlike Japan, there is no "Bonsai Federation" or national group setting rules for exhibition in USA. There is the ABS but they do not seem to be interested in dictating rules for showing trees.
So back to RULE # 1 for USA Bonsai - There are no Rules. Rule #2, see rule # 1.
Seriously, there are rules for each show, set by the local committee and the show chairperson. The rules will vary from show to show as to what is allowable. Outside of a show, in one's own backyard, what ever you like is allowed. Generally most USA show allow a wide range of styles, the trees created by Nick Lens are or would have been allowed at most USA shows. So the USA bonsai does allow the inclusion of pretty much any manner of figurine you might want. Similarly with rocks.
But you have to ask yourself, does the figurine, or the accent rock add to or detract from the image you are trying to create. If they add, great. If they bring a dimension of levity or humor, great. Do they distract from an image, then they do not belong.
Its all about the image you want to create. The accents, kusamono, rocks in the bonsai pot, rocks adjacent to the bonsai pot, figurines, any item intended to be viewed with the tree, if they add a sense of time of year, time of day, or a sense of place, a sense of perspective, then they belong.
Sometimes it is viewed as more sophisticated to use negative space rather than figurines to build perspective.
But sometimes having a figurine adds the right amount of humor to a scene.
So back to RULE # 1 for USA Bonsai - There are no Rules. Rule #2, see rule # 1.
Seriously, there are rules for each show, set by the local committee and the show chairperson. The rules will vary from show to show as to what is allowable. Outside of a show, in one's own backyard, what ever you like is allowed. Generally most USA show allow a wide range of styles, the trees created by Nick Lens are or would have been allowed at most USA shows. So the USA bonsai does allow the inclusion of pretty much any manner of figurine you might want. Similarly with rocks.
But you have to ask yourself, does the figurine, or the accent rock add to or detract from the image you are trying to create. If they add, great. If they bring a dimension of levity or humor, great. Do they distract from an image, then they do not belong.
Its all about the image you want to create. The accents, kusamono, rocks in the bonsai pot, rocks adjacent to the bonsai pot, figurines, any item intended to be viewed with the tree, if they add a sense of time of year, time of day, or a sense of place, a sense of perspective, then they belong.
Sometimes it is viewed as more sophisticated to use negative space rather than figurines to build perspective.
But sometimes having a figurine adds the right amount of humor to a scene.
Ankor is amazing; talk about root over rock...
I think its neat how moss is taking over the pot (I'm pro moss too haha)!
Bonsaidoorguy
Chumono
I too love moss. It softens the edges and gives the feeling of a little age. I just keep it off the trunks of my trees.
Couldn't find this right away figured it was worth a share. Someone at a local club used a fox recently and I thought it worked too.
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