Bonsai Pots Style Restricted?

Graydon

Interesting question and responses.

The Nick Lenz compositions - some of those are in my favorites. I would bet good money that before Nick did root over tank he knew the traditions and even followed them.

No, there's not an unwritten rule on pot shapes and trees. They are very will written and deep in tradition. Almost every bonsai book I have touches on them to some extent.

Sure, you can throw tradition to the side and do what you want. It's just a lot easier to do that after you understand the relations of pot sizes, shapes, finishes and colors and how they relate to the tree and the composition.

So yes, you would irk traditional judges and even other typical bonsai people. Do yourself a favor - get a good in depth book or two. Read them over and over for a couple of years. Look at photos of traditional bonsai in traditional pots. Get a deep understanding for what is going on and why. It's only after you master (or at least learn) the conventions of pots can you break those same conventions.

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tinitrees

Please disregard entry #5 and replace with entry #11

rockm

You've mistakenly assumed that there are "proper" rules for bonsai pots. There are those pots that look good with bonsai and those that don't--regardless of shape really. The shapes you've mentioned happen to be the most effective way to subtly enhance the tree without being ostentatious or distracting. They are the "go to" shapes that can make a tree or trees look good.

Unnusually shaped pots tend to upstage the tree. That's not what a good bonsai pot is supposed to do. Pots are supposed to underscore or accent the tree or composition, not the other way around.

Ovals, rectangles and variations of those shapes help contain an image most effectively, while lending a supporting visual image to the tree. Pots that veer away from those shapes, like dodecahedrons, quadrangles, pentagons, pots with animal feet and other stuff , can work, but are MUCH harder to incorporate into a pleasing design. Usually they simply look weird, silly or are downright ugly.

The pots Nick Lenz works with are made with individual trees in mind and that's why those pots "work." He knows how to meld idosyncrasies of unnusual trees with unnusual pots. It's not an easy thing to do. His pots emphasize what the tree has. The trees were not chosen to suit the pot. The pot was made to suit the tree.

gregb

Brian--here's one I did in 2001. The tree is a Rocky mountain juniper I collected that was growing in a natural crescent rock, hence the absence of branches on the right which was where the tree was growing right up against the rock. Enjoy

Attached Images

J.shovelii.jpg (58.5 KB, 41 views)

rockm

Greg,

Where's the rest of the shovel? Still back at the mountain, next to the rock?

tachigi

Greg,
Very cool! You had your thinking beanie on that day.

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Tom

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grampz

Mr. Greg,

I have a very serious problem with this planting...That problem being, you thought of it before I did...I first saw this on a forum some time back, and really don't remember where, but I do recall the comments from some were much less than flattering...I did save the image because the concept was so innovative...I am still very fond of the planting, the innovative idea, and the feelings it evokes in me...This is 'art'...Thank you for sharing the photo and reminding me of what a wonderful image one can create with common everyday items...

Regards
Behr

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BrianP03103

Often, true art is not appreciated by less talented practitioners of the art form. Michaelangelo was not appreciated by his peers, either.

Brian

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gregb

Grampz--thanks for the positive review It was the IBC gallery I posted it to and that was fall 2003. The tree is still planted to the same shovel and grew rampantly over the summer; it will need to be restyled and repotted this spring. I'm going to do both this spring because the tree is quite vigorous.

I showed it at the 2002 convention in Dallas that featured Kimura as headliner and Shinji Suzuki as his assistant. They also juried the show. It didn't win any prizes and certainly had some talking...it wound up next to Boon's entry which took third place. I'm sure it made Boon's tree look that much better in the judges eye