Wednesday 13 November 2013

Natural Flux – Novocaine for my Soul!


I’d really been looking forward to this event since I heard “Rumours” of it happening and I wasn’t to be disappointed. Having seen release pictures on t’internet my interest had been really fired up but it did little to prepare me for what I was about to see. Respected Bonsai Artist Steve Tolley trades under the name “4 dimensional art” with the 4th dimension being time, Natural Flux proved to be a “must see” 3 dimensional exhibition because the photos that I had seen didn’t do the exhibits justice. As many of my trees can easily be flattered by 2D photography to look much better than they really are, the “real life” experience of the exhibition made the photos I’d seen look flat and lifeless! 

Some of the trees themselves were not really of a Show standard but I think that that was sort of the point. The Beech in the “hill” pot by John Pitt was slender and elegant but lacked ramification and structure but still looked delightful. Each composition was thought provoking and elegant in its own way. I was very, very taken with the Rabbit Foot fern that seemed to have “evolved” on a stack of rusty industrial cogs – very natural, very real. My “star” of the Show was the Star Jasmine in its Clare Wakefield pot, totally orgasmic! Now, I hate to single any of the artists out for praise (as some of them are my closest friends) but I’d love to see some of Clare’s pots in a conventional Bonsai Show and see the reaction to them amongst the Bonsai Community.  Here's a link - Enjoy! naturalfluxbonsai

So to close – Peter, you have been very brave and it seems that you have finally “scratched that itch” that has been bugging you for a while and boy have you. What you have brought us is a new, refreshing and thought provoking look at the art that we all love so much. Seen by many as the “quite man of Bonsai" it was fantastic to see you working the room as you were so in YOUR zone. Words of congratulation do not seem enough somehow as your event raised my spirit and my soul after what has been a trying and painful (literally) few weeks. Thank you my friend and may Natural Flux be the start of your star in ascendancy!

Monday 11 November 2013

SUTEKI Trees & Accents at Heathrow Show

Last weekend it was my first “proper” chance to fly solo since CKB last year and also the first outing for the Shiten Bonsai Society (SBS) and as this was our first assignment, we wanted to make it look good! Although the largest contingent of trees belonged to Sensei Storey I did chip in a couple of previously unseen trees and had free rein as to the layout of the display which was a really buzz. 

You’ll find the trees posted HERE on the SBS Blog. It’s no Accent-dent that I’m using this post to share some of the plantings that caught my eye. It has been expressed in some circles that the quality of the companion plantings/compositions have really risen in the last few years and I would agree - well mostly, as we did have a wee giggle at on Accent displayed behind a very, very large tree. I hope that you enjoy these little beauties as much as I did! 








Tuesday 5 November 2013

Appetite for Destruction

You may have noticed that I’ve (again) been off of the radar but this time for a good reason – Mass Destruction!! 

The Suteki “Shed” is no more and makes way for our new “Glass Extension” - posh way of saying a Conservatory. This will house our new kitchen and dining room allowing us a proper grown up Lounge and Utility room/new Workshop. No more out in the cold and dark to pot my trees or to make my pots and it will still have a fridge (as it is the “old” Kitchen) for m’beer. Mmmmmm, beer good! 

Here’s an artist’s impression of the extension which will have some of our new “toys” including my set of Bugatti kitchen scales, a Porsche designed sink (hopefully) and some of our funky new furniture. Progress photos will be uploaded as and when. Enjoy!