Siberian Elm Clump

[jkd2572]

Try eBay They have all kinds of stuff like that.

Grouper I think about this all the time, yet I have never known it to be a style or technique before I came to this site and read some about penjing. My main drawback is the oriental aspect of it, I posted a thread here earlier about american mudmen as I can not envision chinese figures in a scene, even in my tropicals. Someone suggested model railroad figures, they are often toy-like in appearance with bright colors etc. I have been trying to find some of the old cowboy/indian figurines, the small plastic ones you used to see in the bag with horses and teepees and a pot hanging on a tripod, this stuff could be painted a muted color with a different muted color for contrast such as you see in the mudmen scenes, this to me would bring to my mind images of early america, although I can not find this stuff anywhere. It seems the video games and electronics are the popular playthings of todays youth, that and figurines of superheroes and star wars. Another thing you mentioned is a path or a road through a scene which I have done in the past and it translates well to me, I leave them empty much for the same reasons you wrote about above, it leaves me free to imagine who might have trodden there.

ed

 

[rock]

Thanks, Rock. ...
Where are you??? I've had growing in the ground for about 6 years and it hasn't done diddly -maybe not a conducive climate here.

yeah, so cal,

mine seem to do double diddley

 

[grouper52]

That's understandable, but I for one am sorry to hear it. I'm sure it's a huge commitment of time and energy, and lack of support is draining.
Have you a list of any books on the subject that are actually available (and somewhat affordable) here in the states? You may have posted them before here, pardon if I'm asking you to duplicate...

There are none that are really any good. The best ones are from China, not made for export, hard to get, and expensive in the States when you can get them. Some have some English in them, but very little - mostly just English info alongside the Chinese characters to caption the photos. A very few have a bit of explanation about Penjing and the aesthetic and philosophy behind it. Robert Cho will bring some of these treasures into the country on occasion, and I've gotten my small handful mostly from him. With hundreds of pages of delightful and deeply inspiring Penjing - single trees and scenes - they are, quite literally, the only bonsai books I've looked at for a number of years now (besides my own, and two by Kobayashi ).

 

[grouper52]

yeah, so cal,

mine seem to do double diddley

Indeed they do! Nice looking trees!

Must be nice to live where you have that whole sunshine and warmth thing going for you!

 

[grouper52]

Thought I'd jump in and offer a bit of a defense of the much-maligned Chinese mud men. Personally, I have a vast tolerance for even the most crudely made among the little things, but I don't blame people who don't. And yet, I think most people have never seen any of the really good ones made long ago, that can occasionally be found in antique stores or on Ebay. I thought I'd post a few of mine to give a better perspective on them.

The first is about 4" tall, the second about 5" tall, and the third is about 7" tall.

Enjoy.