School Project...

Shambhala

I'm in grade 13 (yep, there's a grade 13 in Ontario) and one of my classes is art. It's a pretty intense course for those serious about getting into art class... I'm just there because I like drawing and thought it would be fun.

Anyways, in April we have to begin our own piece of art and will have a month to complete (you can submit two if they relate).

My question is this: Is it do-able to choose the art of bonsai? We can choose any median and this is definetly acceptable. My worries are things like the tree could die, I'll put too much shock on it, and repotting.

I'd spend a while at the nursery and pick out a nice tree that looks like it has a lot of potential and get to work on it. Design it, write the report, repot it, and maybe do a painting of the 'story of the tree' - what I see and what I am inspired of when I look at the tree.

Think it could be a good idea? I'd definetly get a good mark on originality

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Jay

Hi there... I think it is a wonderful idea. Shows you have individualality. May I suggest, you approach your instructor now. Let the idea float by with the comment you want to show the 'Art' of Bonsai. Make sure it will not just be taken as a lark. If the istructor likes the idea go for it!

Best luck

Jay

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Treebeard

Shambhala, Kind of sounds like a good idea to me, but I would have the same concerns you highlighted, namely My worries are things like the tree could die, I'll put too much shock on it, and repotting. If there was a way to get round these problems then it might work.

The only down side I could see is that in the short space of time available to you start and finish the project, you might not be able to do justice to the bonsai. I don't mean that you would not be up to the job, but just simply that bonsai takes a long time, and the other students may be streaking ahead with their watercolours or whatever while you are still waiting for new buds to pop out.

You may want to think about the possibility of doing a saikei instead. You could get hold of several small plants, some rocks and gravel and also some moss. Get some ideas from Herb Gustafson's Making Bonsai landscapes and Bob's your uncle. Should be easier to achieve a convincing display with saikei rather than bonsai in the allocated time.

Regards,

Chris.

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"Do not be hasty, that is my motto"
-JRR Tolkien, The Two Towers.
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BonsaiMon

I tink it's a great idea..!!!
bonsai is art ...
I have taught beginner classes to jr. high art students,
at a private school as a visiting local artist. They loved it .
Jay's comment 'bout checkin w/teach is good idea
I have to agree with Treebeard 'bout doing a landscape planting.
if you weren't in Canada and (in the USA) i would offer to send you some small juiper cuttings maybe 3 yrs old in shallow containers but ....
Search around nurseries or garden centers for herbs and plants with small pots. This helps the root pruning delima...
If your teacher says go for it, I'm sure people here on the forum
and throughout the bonsai world would love to assist in any way..

if ya do it...let us see it.....tanks...

peace,
tom stoute

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peace,
tom stoute

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