What inspires you?

[ardent_gardens]

Howdy,

*MY INTRODUCTION*

My name is Jon, and I’m a relatively new bonsai hobbyist living in garden zone 5a (Iowa), where bonsai isn’t particularly popular. I’ve paid my dues to the Iowa Bonsai Association, however I’ve turned to the online bonsai community to find inspiration, guidance, and camaraderie as I deepen my appreciation for the art form.

A little about me: I recently moved to Iowa from California, where I had the privilege of growing up surrounded by some amazing landscapes— I’ve also had the opportunity to live all across the United States previously, but ironically, I never really noticed the trees at all until this past year. Now, I find myself fascinated by the trees and shrubs of the northern Midwest and the rugged beauty of this region’s landscapes.

I’m currently planning a vacation for early April and hope to try my hand at collecting yamadori during this time. I’d love any tips or insights from those of you with experience in finding and working with yamadori in colder climates like mine.

One of my goals is to better understand and capture the essence of the northern Midwestern landscape in my bonsai work. I believe bonsai has the power to reflect the soul of a place and connect people to the beauty of their surroundings. I’m inspired by the idea of creating pieces that resonate with those that live in the same area as me.

*END OF INTRODUCTION*

As I embark on this journey, I’d love to hear from you all about what inspires your bonsai? Are there particular landscapes, places, or regions that fuel your creativity? Have you visited or lived somewhere in the U.S. that you feel is especially inspiring for bonsai artistry?

Give me suggestions of places to go, to collect trees or inspiration!

I’m excited to learn from your experiences and exchange ideas. Thank you for welcoming me into this community, and I look forward to growing alongside you all and your trees!

Here’s some pictures in Utah that inspired me…

 

[Weta]

First off welcome.
Awesome pictures, love the deep valleys of stone, layers of age like the rings of a tree.
Nature inspires me mostly but there are lot of humble artists here that feed my drive to attempt to create unique pieces.
While I'm an amateur thats never been in a Bonsai club or had a mentor to learn from I have been made to feel welcome here.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Welcome, great pix!
I got my start with the Iowa Bonsai Association, and they have some very serious members, and a few who are ardent yamadori hunters. You would do well to meet those guys. Julian Tsai is the club “mentor” of sorts and he’s in and out of DSM fairly regularly.

My inspiration? Early on I just told people I got bored with houseplants, took up bonsai and haven’t been bored since. Now, I’d say my inspiration is seeing those world class 3rd generation trees treasured in Japan…juniper deadwood beaten and battered until smooth, chunky bark on an ancient black pine peaking out from under fresh new growth, fat nebari crawling across a mossy soil surface with a perfect striped trunk emerging from the base melting into a million twigs. Awesome.

A few great examples are here: https://valavanisbonsaiblog.com/2024/02/11/2024-98th-kokufu-bonsai-exhibition-part-1/

 

[johng]

One of my goals is to better understand and capture the essence of the northern Midwestern landscape in my bonsai work. I believe bonsai has the power to reflect the soul of a place and connect people to the beauty of their surroundings. I’m inspired by the idea of creating pieces that resonate with those that live in the same area as me.

This alone can carry your passion along ways. For better or worse, this hobby is dominated by Japanophiles. Personally I have grown to look to my own experiences to find inspiration for creating bonsai. I find that when I create pieces that reflect experiences common to our culture, folks familiar with our culture our always far more engaged than they are with abstract Asian imagery.

 

[penumbra]

For better or worse, this hobby is dominated by Japanophiles.

True, but less so all the time. The Chinese invented the wheel and the Japanese started it rolling. And though everyone has wheels now, they have deep roots.

 

[Gabler]

Japanophiles

I believe the politically correct term is weeaboo. However, the shortened form, "weeb," is a slur.

 

[johng]

I believe the politically correct term is weeaboo. However, the shortened form, "weeb," is a slur.

I as I read it both of those are derogatory and aimed at a specific things not associated with bonsai. I am not trying to be derogatory just trying to identify the type without judging

 

[Gabler]

I as I read it both of those are derogatory and aimed at a specific things not associated with bonsai. I am not trying to be derogatory just trying to identify the type without judging

In case it wasn't clear, I was making a joke at the expense of Japanophiles by calling them weebs.

 

[Cruiser]

Most of my time is spent navigating forests to measure and analyze trees. This is what fuels my approach to bonsai. I want my trees to resemble those I work with.

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

I've been blessed to travel most of the central, western and southwest of this country. I grew up in Kansas, where there were trees, and in North Texas, where there were abundant trees. I noticed trees, but I didn't truly appreciate them until I moved to New Mexico, in the desert where trees are sparse. I find inspiration in nature, specifically in the trees that stand out from the rest of their species, or solitary trees that stand alone against its rugged terrain, valiantly struggling to overcome the harsh conditions that made it an orphan with no siblings so many years ago.
Also, it has a philosophical aspect. In many ways, I see myself in the tree. The times when I have lost something, or have been injured, burned, cut. Those things made me stronger. Do I have scars? Deadwood? Shari? Yep. Not to be too "spiritual," but I see those things that we do to trees to be how God builds us up after hard things happen to us. And, if our roots are strong, then our branches will also be. At this point, I'm just a stick in a pot, but God is strengthening my roots and developing beautiful nebari in my life.

leaving the mic on the stand, exit stage right

 

[Wulfskaar]

I'm inspired by nature. Even before I got into this hobby, I drew things like a lone tree hanging over a cliff, and things like that. I always loved trees.

The bonsai that most inspire me are those that emulate nature. Compositions with one or more trees, with rocks and moss... basically if they look like I can sit under the tree to contemplate life or whatever, are my favorites.

The thought of actually growing trees from seeds... it makes me happy. Some will never be bonsai, so I have high hopes they will one day be huge trees somewhere.

"Blessed are those who plant trees under whose shade they will never sit." Does this work for bonsai as well?

 

[Cajunrider]

I grew up in Asia, where examples of manipulating trees to human design and desires are all around me. I can't say that they inspire me, they are rather a part of me.

 

[ardent_gardens]

First off welcome.
Awesome pictures, love the deep valleys of stone, layers of age like the rings of a tree.
Nature inspires me mostly but there are lot of humble artists here that feed my drive to attempt to create unique pieces.
While I'm an amateur thats never been in a Bonsai club or had a mentor to learn from I have been made to feel welcome here.

Thanks for the welcome… any particular nature scenes that have inspired you?

 

[ardent_gardens]

Welcome, great pix!
I got my start with the Iowa Bonsai Association, and they have some very serious members, and a few who are ardent yamadori hunters. You would do well to meet those guys. Julian Tsai is the club “mentor” of sorts and he’s in and out of DSM fairly regularly.

My inspiration? Early on I just told people I got bored with houseplants, took up bonsai and haven’t been bored since. Now, I’d say my inspiration is seeing those world class 3rd generation trees treasured in Japan…juniper deadwood beaten and battered until smooth, chunky bark on an ancient black pine peaking out from under fresh new growth, fat nebari crawling across a mossy soil surface with a perfect striped trunk emerging from the base melting into a million twigs. Awesome.

A few great examples are here: https://valavanisbonsaiblog.com/2024/02/11/2024-98th-kokufu-bonsai-exhibition-part-1/

Oh sweet! Are you still with the IBA?

It’s amazing how many of those show trees break the rules of “what makes good bonsai”. Great food for thought

 

[ardent_gardens]

This alone can carry your passion along ways. For better or worse, this hobby is dominated by Japanophiles. Personally I have grown to look to my own experiences to find inspiration for creating bonsai. I find that when I create pieces that reflect experiences common to our culture, folks familiar with our culture our always far more engaged than they are with abstract Asian imagery.

I agree… obviously they wrote the book on what makes the little tree look good, but we have an entirely different palette to paint with over here… any pics or stories about these past experiences?

 

[ardent_gardens]

In case it wasn't clear, I was making a joke at the expense of Japanophiles by calling them weebs.

I like it here

 

[ardent_gardens]

Most of my time is spent navigating forests to measure and analyze trees. This is what fuels my approach to bonsai. I want my trees to resemble those I work with.

Any forests in particular that I can look up or look into visiting?

 

[ardent_gardens]

I've been blessed to travel most of the central, western and southwest of this country. I grew up in Kansas, where there were trees, and in North Texas, where there were abundant trees. I noticed trees, but I didn't truly appreciate them until I moved to New Mexico, in the desert where trees are sparse. I find inspiration in nature, specifically in the trees that stand out from the rest of their species, or solitary trees that stand alone against its rugged terrain, valiantly struggling to overcome the harsh conditions that made it an orphan with no siblings so many years ago.
Also, it has a philosophical aspect. In many ways, I see myself in the tree. The times when I have lost something, or have been injured, burned, cut. Those things made me stronger. Do I have scars? Deadwood? Shari? Yep. Not to be too "spiritual," but I see those things that we do to trees to be how God builds us up after hard things happen to us. And, if our roots are strong, then our branches will also be. At this point, I'm just a stick in a pot, but God is strengthening my roots and developing beautiful nebari in my life.

leaving the mic on the stand, exit stage right

Beautiful, gorgeous, bravo it’s hard to not make analogies to bonsai when friends or family are being vulnerable with you, especially if they know nothing about the craft Bonsai most certainly is spiritual, I feel. How many other art forms allow you to collaborate with THE creator?

 

[ardent_gardens]

I'm inspired by nature. Even before I got into this hobby, I drew things like a lone tree hanging over a cliff, and things like that. I always loved trees.

The bonsai that most inspire me are those that emulate nature. Compositions with one or more trees, with rocks and moss... basically if they look like I can sit under the tree to contemplate life or whatever, are my favorites.

The thought of actually growing trees from seeds... it makes me happy. Some will never be bonsai, so I have high hopes they will one day be huge trees somewhere.

"Blessed are those who plant trees under whose shade they will never sit." Does this work for bonsai as well?

I love that bit at the end… I wonder about what the real draw to bonsai is. Do we want to feel larger than life, to tower over trees and subjugate them? Are we creating miniaturized worlds to live out our fantasies? Are we trying to observe the principles of nature in the comfort of our homes with minimal exposure to danger? Who knows?

 

[ardent_gardens]

I grew up in Asia, where examples of manipulating trees to human design and desires are all around me. I can't say that they inspire me, they are rather a part of me.

Whereabouts in Asia?