pjkatich
Chumono
What a great compliment Tom.
Thank you very much for taking the time to comment on this tree.
This is and example of what might happen when you read to many bonsai books.
Regards,
Paul
Ulmus parvafolia
- Thread starter pjkatich
- Start date
What a great compliment Tom.
Thank you very much for taking the time to comment on this tree.
This is and example of what might happen when you read to many bonsai books.
Regards,
Paul
pjkatich
Chumono
Hi Zach,
I appreciate the positive feedback and it was a pleasure talking to you too.
I sent you an e-mail.
Cheers,
Paul
pjkatich
Chumono
I'll be happy to post a photo when the tree leafs out Ron.
Thanks for your kind words.
Cheers.
Paul
Walter Pall
Masterpiece
Cool elm in the naturalistic style. I like it very much.
pjkatich
Chumono
Nicely said.
It is the little things in life that make all the difference.
Hopefully, through some small act of kindness, we can live on in the memories of someone else.
Thanks for you input.
Regards,
Paul
pjkatich
Chumono
Bonsai Nut
Nuttier than your average Nut
I like this tree because it makes me think 
It breaks many rules, but it looks very natural. It reminds me of a famous Naka quote "don't try to make your tree look like a bonsai, make your bonsai look like a tree!"
Did you set out with this final design in mind? Or did you start in one direction, and end up here (as often happens with trees that you live with for a while)?
It breaks many rules, but it looks very natural. It reminds me of a famous Naka quote "don't try to make your tree look like a bonsai, make your bonsai look like a tree!"Did you set out with this final design in mind? Or did you start in one direction, and end up here (as often happens with trees that you live with for a while)?
Ang3lfir3
Omono
it seems that some times the "rules" simply need to be broken
Bonsai Nut
Nuttier than your average Nut
Absolutely. That's why I'm curious about how Paul ended up here. Did he start off by saying "this is my vision, screw the rules?" Or did he start somewhere else (like by trying to create a broom style) and the tree led him here over the years.
I freely admit I would never have gotten here. The rules would have stopped me. That is why the tree makes me think
pjkatich
Chumono
I like this tree because it makes me think
Did you set out with this final design in mind? Or did you start in one direction, and end up here (as often happens with trees that you live with for a while)?
It's funny you should mention that quote from John Naka.
It was his Bonsai Techniques I book that started me down the road with this tree.
Originally, I had intended this to be a broom style bonsai. I started it's development as described in the section that starts on page 137 - "How to create broom-shape style" and ended up with what you see in the photo.
As you know, growing bonsai from scratch is a journey and there have been many directional changes over the years.
The original broom style was changed to this more natural style about 12 years ago. Mainly because I wanted to emulate what I saw in the trees that grew locally.
Branches have died back, an apex was lost to an errant football throw, and sneaky insects on the rampage are some of the factors that have all played decision making rolls in the development of this elm.
The original front is now the back of the tree. This change was made 4 years ago.
I designed and made the pot two years ago and planted the tree in the pot last year.
This is the first time this tree has been in a bonsai pot since it was started from seed.
In regards to breaking the rules, I really did not give it much thought. I worked with what this elm and circumstances gave me. I studied the growth habits of my local trees and tried to work what I saw into the design as much as possible. Again, mother nature is the best instructor anyone can have.
I guess the bottom line is that I grow bonsai for myself. If it does not please others that's okay. If it does not follow the accepted rules, that's okay too, as long as I am happy with the results.
I appreciate you taking the time to comment and thank you for the compliment.
Regards,
Paul
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tmmason10
Omono
It's funny, I've seen some trees posted that I have liked and commented on, and the owner admitted to accidents shaping the tree. It must have been very rewarding to grow from seed, and the to be able to make the pot yourself must also feel great.
Ang3lfir3
Omono
The rules would have stopped me. That is why the tree makes me think
Then this tree has done you a service
... and I bet you would'a been happily surprised with yourself BNut ... you never know Paul's recount of the trees life is very interesting and even made me smile a little ... thanks!
Bonsai Nut
Nuttier than your average Nut
Then this tree has done you a service
Paul's recount of the trees life is very interesting and even made me smile a little ... thanks!
What I like about this tree is that it has a story to tell (at least to me it does). I could walk by 10 trees that were technically "better" (whatever that means to you) and this tree would stop me. Reminds me of some of Harry Hirao's trees that make me stop and try to understand the tree.
pjkatich
Chumono
Accidents are part of the bonsai process Tom. At least in my backyard anyway.
And yes, it has been a rewarding journey with this particular tree.
The fact that I was able to complete this composition by designing and making the pot myself is just the icing on the cake.
This is something I would encourage everyone to do. Not necessarily make the pot yourself, but to take an active roll in designing a pot for one of your own trees.
Most bonsai potters in the US are more than willing to work with individuals in a one to one situation. Why settle for almost when you can get exactly what you want.
Thanks for your input.
Regards,
Paul
pjkatich
Chumono
Your welcome, it's been my pleasure.
I glad you took the time to participate and share your thoughts with me.
Your comments have added a lot to the thread.
Paul
Brian Van Fleet
Pretty Fly for a Bonsai Guy
Accidents shaping trees....sure makes for some of the best trees in nature, doesn't it! Seems logical to carry it into bonsai; accidents don't follow rules.
Probably the best perspective I've heard on working with bonsai trees was from Kathy. She said that it's not even the trauma itself (inflicted by the bonsai practitioner every year or two, or by some force of nature every couple decades), but rather how the tree responds to that trauma that makes a good tree. Sure, snap a branch, carve a shari, or wire it now, but the real prize is years later after it's responded to that trauma. Kind of changed how I approach styling a tree.
At any rate, Paul, it's a fine bonsai...looks just like a damn tree!
pjkatich
Chumono
Thanks B'Nut, I'm honored that you would compare my work with that of Harry Hirao's.
I was taught that the primary role of a bonsai was to tell a story to the viewer and if it doesn't the artist has not done a good job.
It brings me a great deal of satisfaction to know that I have accomplished that goal.
I appreciate the kind words very much.
Paul
pjkatich
Chumono
Well hello Brian,
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.
Yes indeed, accidents don't follow rules and there are no short cuts to developing a good bonsai.
I would agree wholeheartedly with Kathy. In the end, it is the tree that will have the last say on the subject and not the artist.
Cheers,
Paul
Si Nguyen
Omono
Very beautiful bonsai Paul! Thanks for sharing it.
But it is beautiful partly because it does follow the rule. But this rule is a "natural" one. Like Walter Pall said, this is a very "naturalistic" design. The rule that I learned somewhere is that the angle of the branches as they come off of the trunk should be greater than 90 degree on deciduous trees. In other words, the branches should lift upward a little bit as it comes out of the trunk, and then it could either keep going upward or droop downward. On conifers, this angle should be less than 90 degree. This angle is a major distinction between conifer and deciduous trees. Here's a sketch of this rule. I call it a rule but it is not really a rule. Just an observation of how most trees are in nature. Just a little angle. Sometimes a tree or a bonsai works best when it looks naturalistic, and sometime it's not. This one works.
But it is beautiful partly because it does follow the rule. But this rule is a "natural" one. Like Walter Pall said, this is a very "naturalistic" design. The rule that I learned somewhere is that the angle of the branches as they come off of the trunk should be greater than 90 degree on deciduous trees. In other words, the branches should lift upward a little bit as it comes out of the trunk, and then it could either keep going upward or droop downward. On conifers, this angle should be less than 90 degree. This angle is a major distinction between conifer and deciduous trees. Here's a sketch of this rule. I call it a rule but it is not really a rule. Just an observation of how most trees are in nature. Just a little angle. Sometimes a tree or a bonsai works best when it looks naturalistic, and sometime it's not. This one works.
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Bonsai Nut
Nuttier than your average Nut
The rule I was referring to was the point of the trunk where the four secondary trunk lines break off. It appeared to me to be a broom style that didn't quite come together, and over time morphed into something else. Now normally I would not like four trunks - particularly if they all split at the same point. There are some lower sections of the secondary trunks that don't really taper and don't have enough secondary branching.... HOWEVER... those are the rules Instead when I look at this tree my eye keeps glancing from the parts of the tree that would typically bother me, to the composition as a total, which I like. Whenever I see something like this, I stop and study the tree because I think someone is doing something really really clever. It doesn't look book-style bonsai, but looks like a tree I would see in a field. I suppose that is the best compliment I can give a bonsai - at least the ones I prefer to look at
Instead when I look at this tree my eye keeps glancing from the parts of the tree that would typically bother me, to the composition as a total, which I like. Whenever I see something like this, I stop and study the tree because I think someone is doing something really really clever. It doesn't look book-style bonsai, but looks like a tree I would see in a field. I suppose that is the best compliment I can give a bonsai - at least the ones I prefer to look at 
