Workshop Juniper

Mailman17013

I recently had the privilege of attending a workshop at Nature's Way Nursery, in Harrisburg, PA, with Walter Pall. Walter happens to be one of my favorite bonsai artists and it's always a joy to learn from him. The attached photo is the shimpaku juniper that I styled during the workshop. This was regular nursery stock material when I started.

Mailman17013

Attached Images

wsshimp.jpg (66.1 KB, 212 views)

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BonsaiMon

nice tree... i like the movement...jin too
i also enjoy Walter Pall's art..missed him when he was last
in our area...

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tom stoute

http://bonsaiinsights.spaces.live.com/

ripsgreentree

It would be interesting to hear some of the discussion that you had with Walter about where you were going with this tree. I look at the photo that you have posted and the tree just dosen't seem to be ballanced. What stile were you shooting for? I would like to hear more.. I will check in later to see if you have added anything to what you have already posted.

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ripsgreentree

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whidn

Is this more of the balance you woyld like to see rip?

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wsshimp.jpg (37.6 KB, 158 views)

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Mailman17013

Rip,
I must say that the posted photo doesn't do the tree justice. Obviously, the strong gin is representative of where the main growth of the tree once was. The living area I would say is a slanted and slightly windswept tree that is reaching for the light. I don't know that it qualifies as any specific style. Which by the way,is one of the reasons I like Walter Pall. He doesn't believe that every tree has to look like the so called "cookie cutter" bonsai. I for one, happen to like that type of thinking. I think his work speaks for itself. During our discussion of this tree, Walter stated that he liked it very much and said if it was his tree he would try to "squash" it a little bit more and make it more compact. That gives me something to think about for the future! At this point, I think it's best to just let it recover from the initial "hacking" before I try to tweak it anymore. I appreciate your interest and your comments. Having only been involved in this hobby for less than three years, I've still got alot to learn and I appreciate the feedback, as it's a great learning tool.

Mailman17013

Mailman17013

Here's a picture of the opposite side of the tree

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Carl_Bergstrom

Wow....I, for one, think this is a tree with amazing potential. Definitely not cookie cutter...visible Walter Pall influence...great lines.

Congratulations, Mailman! Quite a tree - and quite an enviable opportunity to do that workshop with Walter. Maybe someday I'll have similar luck.

Until then, show us how this tree unfolds over the years. I like the idea of squashing it more - could you use a guy wire to do that? Meanwhile, waiting for it to recover from the initial work seems like a very wise idea.

Best regards,
OMC

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ripsgreentree

I hope that you don't think that my comment on style lends one to think that every bonsai should look alike. Style is a direction for your tree to grow in and each one will be diffrent. My comments on ballance refer to the long bow curve on the trunk of your tree and the fact that the four major limbs on the inside of the curve over power the jen and two small limbs on the outside of the curve. Also the crown of the tree pointing up and back into the curve lends the eye to think some kind of upright. All of the powerful limbs being on one side of the tree says windswept so there is some conflict in the style of the tree.
Please do not feel that I am trying to take anything away from your efforts these are just some of the thoughts that came to me when I first saw the picture that you posted. I am trying to do a vertual that shows the tree as a windswept stile but so far I have not done a very good job so I am not going to post it yet.
Also all of my comments are nothing more than my opinion and should be regarded as such.

Glenn Van Winkle

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ripsgreentree

It requires an open hand to give and to recieve.

Carl_Bergstrom

Hi Glenn,

I know your post is more to mailman than to me, but I just can't help chiming in as well. I don't think your comments were at all out of line or at all trying to take away from the tree. And they made me look at the tree a different way than I had until I read them, which is a really good thing.

Keep up the good work!
Carl / OMC

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