Ryan Neil's Bonsai Mirai

[Ang3lfir3]

Sorry, can't let this little gem go...What a completely superior, creaky, self-involved statement. The thought that YOU have such an expansive, worldly view of bonsai that all others HAVE to be wrong because YOU can't see the forest for the trees. That being excited about something is somehow "dissmissive of what's come before." Give me a freakin break...

Thank you for your opinion ... I respect it ... (and ur right of course .... ima dick [but at least I know it... step 1?])

I've been doing this for more than 20 years now. I've seen a raft of fly-by-night operators, good collectors, horrific collectors, fads, and other stuff. I do not jump on bandwagons. I simply acknowledge progress when I see it. Increasing awareness, better stock, more of it, professional instructors with a big-picture plans ARE innovations. Like it or not. Yeah, Boon and Dan Robinson have also been pioneers. They have contributed and continue to contribute, but they are hardly the only game on the block these days. Simply because I welcome more people willing to take a big time roll on bonsai hardly means I'm turning my back on anyone.

Lets be clear I am not a Boonite ... He was merely a vehicle for my illustration ... Michael would have also been a good illustration ... and I am not saying what Ryan is doing is some how not admirable... it is ... its great ... I wish him great success ... and I am glad to hear you appreciate them all ... but too often the bonsai community (except for a few old timers) forgets everything ... they forget why much of what is happening today is even possible ... or they are completely unaware and simply don't care ... that infuriates me ... (my own failing I know) ...

Dan has (for many years) freely offered his in depth onsite teaching for anyone willing to show up and learn ... deep bonsai learning ... in depth design concepts and study ... horticulture and technical skills you can rarely gain any where else .... a single source of complete knowledge ... "revolutionary" for sure ...

I find it amusing that people are so amazed and enchanted by the work ... and yet don't take him up on the offer ... amusing to say the least ... hell I'll put you up at my place (10 mins away) if you are willing to have a go ...

BTW, if you can tell me where I can buy a Dan Robinson-collected tree east of the Mississippi, let me know. I'd be more than willing to have a look.

www.elandan.com << number is on the website .... dan doesn't have a "distributor" but then again he has never been one to treat bonsai as a commodity .... I am sure he would however be glad to get pictures taken for you of the material he currently has available ... There are many happy customers of his east of the Mississippi so its not like he doesn't know how to ship trees ...

 

[Ang3lfir3]

It is indeed most unfair that one single nursery should have the largest offer of quality collected stock east of the Mississippi. I think this place should be occupied and relieved of most trees. Folks should take advantage of the sales promotion discount for this weekend only.
They can also protest by attending the International Bonsai Academy from Friday, to Sunday and possibly the workshop on Monday.
On Saturday we have the by now legendary Saturday Night Noise at the nursery. Everybody will bring a musical instrument and we make a lot of noise together while drinking beer.

The International Academy can be attended by protestants in several ways:

regular member for one or more days
silent observer for one or more days
lurker for 30 minutes to see whether you like it and decide about your status
just protestant who takes advantage of the new selection for reduces prices for the weekend and otherwise ignores us.

I hope to see a few from this forum there. Clytus should go by all means. He is obviously into the Occupy Woodstock Movement. There will probably two psychiatrists attending the academy as members ( no kidding). They could offer some friendly help to Clytus. And for Saturday night bring your trumpet.

Nature's Way Nursery, 1451 Pleasant Hill Rd.
Harrisburg, PA 17112
Jim Doyle (717)545-4555
Nature's Way Nursery <natureswaybonsai@comcast.net>

Walter ...... you crack me up .... I rather enjoyed your rendition .... Very amusing ......

 

[rockm]

"but too often the bonsai community (except for a few old timers) forgets everything ... they forget why much of what is happening today is even possible ... or they are completely unaware and simply don't care ... that infuriates me ... (my own failing I know) ..."

That some (usually older) bonsaiists don't continually genuflect towards masters, "masters" or recognizeable bonsai names is upsetting to some who may. That doesn't make us unaware of their contributions, or make others' genuflections irrelevant. Theose masters contributions are a given. We understand it. We get it, BUT we don't see progress or new things somehow threatening them. Far from it. Change is the only constant in the universe. It can make past efforts all the more valuable. However, screaming that the past is forgotten as time progress is rather like being mad at the tide. Roll with it...If you know how to swim, there's no reason to be upset.

"Dan has (for many years) freely offered his in depth onsite teaching for anyone willing to show up and learn"

Well, that's nice if you live in the PNW. Not so much if the commute is 3,000 miles. And no, he's not the only "revolutionary" bonsai teacher willing to give up his time and effort for free. I've been the recipient of that kindess from more than one knowledgeable bonsaiist over the years, even if they didn't have access to the Rocky Mountains and 3,000 year old trees. Kind, generous bonsai folk don't stop at the Mississipi ...

"I find it amusing that people are so amazed and enchanted by the work ... and yet don't take him up on the offer ... amusing to say the least ... hell I'll put you up at my place (10 mins away) if you are willing to have a go ... "

I find it amusing that people make such a fuss over visiting the National Arboretum trees in D.C. and seeing the pine that survived the Hiroshima A-bomb and Naka's "goshin," but then I'm spoiled for having lived ten minutes away from them for almost 25 years now. I've also had the pleasure of being able to step out my door and meet Naka, Yoshimura, Ben Oki, and a few others over the years. I'm lucky to be blessed with their proximity. There presence, however, doesn't make D.C. mecca.

Look, Dan Robinson is a treasure, no doubt about it. He's generous and deserving of much respect. However, he's not the center of the universe (and I'm pretty confident he'd probably say that himself). Getting mad at every percieved slight against him has to be exhausting.








"www.elandan.com << number is on the website .... dan doesn't have a "distributor" but then again he has never been one to treat bonsai as a commodity .... I am sure he would however be glad to get pictures taken for you of the material he currently has available ... There are many happy customers of his east of the Mississippi so its not like he doesn't know how to ship trees ... "

OK, but can he get me a four inch diameter, 300-year-old ponderosa with deadwood for $200--including shipping? If he can, let me know...

 

[grouper52]

My Deep Gratitude For This Thread

My initial interest in BNut, as I look back, has been part of a quest of some sort, a search for certain insights that would answer fundamental questions that I’m sure we all have, questions about the meaning of life in the bonsai world, and our place in it.

Only BNut seemed to have the freedom of expression and the wonderful mix of personalities to fulfill that quest. Only here, I thought, could I expect the Truth to emerge.

Over the years, however, my interest began to wane, falling victim to frustration and disappointment as I saw that quest and the questions remaining unfulfilled. The hoped for epiphany, the moment of enlightenment that would finally answer my burning questions and fulfill my longing for ultimate Bonsai Truth - this continued to elude me. I grew cynical, I withdrew except to make occasional snide remarks or post occasional trees. I retreated into working on my own little trees in isolation, always insecure that they might not measure up. I abandoned all hope of finding my place and purpose in the world of bonsai.

Imagine then, if you will, my thrill at stumbling upon this marvelous thread last night, having those burning questions answered so clearly, so definitively, answered with such incontrovertible authority.

What I now know, and what I hope we all now know, finally, and beyond any hint of a shadow of a doubt, is that a triumvirate of unbelievably well-endowed men - Ryan, Randy, and Jason - simultaneously hold the honor for the best hung men in bonsai. With girth, length and throbbing stamina of truly god-like dimensions, and with testosterone levels of unimaginable grandeur, we have finally seen the standards set to which we all must aspire, but against which, of course, we can never really hope to compete.

No, sadly, we cannot compete; and yet . . . ? Well, and yet we may still find meaning and purpose by simply basking in and paying homage to the glory of the sublime Bonsai Manliness that radiates like a blessing across the country and around the globe from the lofty heights of northern Oregon.

And so, I stand in awe and gratitude - to these three immortal Bonsai Studs, of course - but also to BNut for creating a setting in which this sacred Truth could emerge for all to behold. My heart now at peace, I can die happy, having glimpsed the Ultimate.

 

[Ang3lfir3]

Well, that's nice if you live in the PNW. Not so much if the commute is 3,000 miles.

Same longitude (aprox) ... different latitude

Getting mad at every percieved slight against him has to be exhausting.

I am actually not the one that perceived a slight... hell I wasn't even the one to bring his name up...

 

[Bill S]

this explains a lot .... as I have seen those "japanese quality" , by which i assume you mean "highly refined" , trees in the US .... a lot of them are hiding in backyards in CA and other parts of the country.... so not seeing them doesn't mean they don't exist ... and those that are not quite "japanese quality" are close and with a little effort can reach that level.... those are usually owned by owners who actually have jobs ... you know like most of you ...

ZOMG crazy .... people with HUGE swaths of time to work on bonsai can create great trees from great material... "revolutionary" for sure.....

Ask your selves this one obvious question .... what do all your favorite bonsai artists have in common??? I'll give you a hint... they make up less than 1% of the bonsai community .....

what kind of change can it bring??? like Jason said .... everyone who can afford the material already knew about it and was buying it .... if people aren't buying the material then they are buying the classes??? how is Ryan any different than Boon?? you guys remember Boon right.... he's still alive ...

funny thing is most people think I have something against them .... and I don't .... I happen to think Ryan is a nice person .... and I have never met Randy so I can't speak to his in person character .... I however presume him a very pleasant person .... hell I hear I'm even a nice guy in person [no really someone said that once]

so who am I really irritated with??? The American bonsai community that's who ... ever so willing to hop on the next bandwagon ....so easily dismissive of what has come before.... very American of them in the whole "but this is new, so it's the bestest besty ever!!!!!"

my god someone please psychoanalyze me ..... I MUST be insane....

LOL it's simply the American way.

 

[Klytus]

I'm too busy for such mundane events,it's digging a Koi Pond or perhaps even Occupying the Sierras for me.

 

[misfit11]

Thank you Will (aka Grouper) for bringing some levity to this thread. Your sarcasm was not only hilarious, but truly refreshing following the mudslinging that is this discussion.

I posted this thread simply to let people check out what I thought was a cool promotional vid for Ryan's nursery. Although, I prefaced it with the awareness of the the controversy it created over at the IBC, I had no intention of stirring up the heated ego-fest that it resulted in here. Though I do enjoy my share of controversy, debate, and outright self-righteous idealism (just check out some of the contributions I've made in the Karaoke Bar in the past) that wasn't my intent here.

I do have, however, the utmost respect for Ryan Neil and what he is trying to do for bonsai in the U.S. That being said, in no way do I think he is the be all and end all to this hobby. Far from it. There have been hundreds (if not thousands) of individuals that have contributed to this art way before Ryan Neil came along. He is simply the most recent "rising star" and I'm sure they'll be others that come along after he falls out of bonsai "popularity".

I find it humorous how often enormous egos can enter into this seemingly "peaceful" hobby. Let's quit taking ourselves and our "little trees" so seriously people! Bonsai is SUPPOSED to be relaxing.

 

[JasonG]

What I now know, and what I hope we all now know, finally, and beyond any hint of a shadow of a doubt, is that a triumvirate of unbelievably well-endowed men - Ryan, Randy, and Jason - simultaneously hold the honor for the best hung men in bonsai. With girth, length and throbbing stamina of truly god-like dimensions, and with testosterone levels of unimaginable grandeur, we have finally seen the standards set to which we all must aspire, but against which, of course, we can never really hope to compete.

No, sadly, we cannot compete; and yet . . . ? Well, and yet we may still find meaning and purpose by simply basking in and paying homage to the glory of the sublime Bonsai Manliness that radiates like a blessing across the country and around the globe from the lofty heights of northern Oregon.

And so, I stand in awe and gratitude - to these three immortal Bonsai Studs, of course - but also to BNut for creating a setting in which this sacred Truth could emerge for all to behold. My heart now at peace, I can die happy, having glimpsed the Ultimate.

Not everyone gets it and so far Will, grouper 52 gets it!!! Next time I see you I will give you an autgraphed photo of my abnormally giant, throbbing manliness

 

[Jason]

It must be that Oregon water

 

[Ang3lfir3]

Will ..... ur my hero my friend ....


The wisest sage I know .... and the funniest (because I can see you saying all this... with a deadpan straight face)

 

[Bonsai Nut]

This thread has devolved rather quickly into empty mud-slinging. Let's move on to better (and more positive) subjects.