JBP Workshop with Jim Doyle at BLC in NC

cray13

On June 15th, 2007 I participated in a JBP workshop with Jim Doyle hosted by Randy Clark of the Bonsai Learning Center in Charlotte, NC.

This workshop was part of a three day open house at the Bonsai Learning Center. More images and information about the event can be viewed here.

I thought the workshop material (Mikawa JBP) was excellent and was very pleased with the workshop and the final result. Mr. Doyle is a professional and an excellent communicator.

The workshop began with an informal discussion on the care of Japanese Black Pine. Mr. Doyle provided written material as a reference and walked us through the care of JBP for a complete year. The discussion was very comprehensive and I appreciated his diligence in pointing out the difference in caring for a "finished" piece of material as opposed to material in the early stages of development. During the discussion he was able to share a bit of his background and experiences with Bonsai as well as give each of us an opportunity to introduce ourselves. There were nine participants and we ranged from 2-3 years experience to as much as 30 years.

I believe there were 12 pieces of stock to choose from and we selected our stock in the order in which we signed up for the class. I had the honor of going LAST. I wasn't too worried however as I would have been happy with any of the material.

As I was attempting to select my tree Mr. Doyle announced that he would wait until after I selected and then tell everyone which tree was his favorite. There were three trees left and of the three I actually selected the smallest. I like the movement in the trunk and of the three it had what I felt was the strongest base.

I'm not sure if Mr. Doyle was trying to make me feel better, but after I made my selection he told everyone that it was ironic that his favorite tree was selected last.

So, enough words here are some progression images of the styling. I did my best not to mess up Mr. Doyle's tree...

prog1 - Before. Mr. Doyle and I agreed this was the probable front.
prog2 - Selecting the apex. Removed about 3 inches from the main trunk and selected a small side branch as the new leader.
prog3 - Removed branches not needed for the design and thinned out growth.
prog4 - New apex and branches wired into place.

The last image is of Mr. Doyle assisting another student. I don't want this image to give the impression that Mr. Doyle did a lot of work on anyone's tree. Quite the contrary, he always asked the student what they saw in the tree and what they planned to do, and then he would share his thoughts.

Attached Images

	jbp_prog1.jpg (67.5 KB, 166 views)
	jbp_prog2.jpg (65.7 KB, 108 views)
	jbp_prog3.jpg (67.4 KB, 130 views)
	jbp_prog4.jpg (67.6 KB, 175 views)
	doyle_working.jpg (67.1 KB, 115 views)

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cray13

The tree is doing well and pushing new growth all over.

330 - front as positioned in the pot.
331 - probable new front at next potting.
332 - new growth at the apex.
333 - new growth on lower left branch.

Attached Images

	jbpA_07_14_07.jpg (67.2 KB, 166 views)
	jbpB_07_14_07.jpg (68.2 KB, 121 views)
	jbp_ApexBuds.jpg (67.3 KB, 89 views)
	jbp_budsA.jpg (68.2 KB, 76 views)

Davev

Looks like really good stock. Good luck with it, it looks like you have a great start.