In
a presentation designed to help beginning members, ACBS's own Mike
Rusnak discussed slides showing classic bonsai styles.
Mike noted that “by studying the forms of classic styles, it can
both inspire and help the beginning student discover such shapes in
potential bonsai pointing
to a photograph of a tree in a local grove of Scots
pine, he said that “a careful look at
such trees can inspire you to use natural trees as shapes as
models—the shape of the apex, for
example.”
|
Mike's pine created from Christmas tree stock |
Mike also
discussed creating bonsai from such
plants as throw-away shrubbery and nursery
stock. He
included
some tips on what to look for when selecting stock.
|
Juniper from nursery stock |
He identified
some qualities he
likes to look for in a row of trees
1)good hefty trunk with a fanning root
base—you
can be check by scraping away some of the surface soil, 2)a trunk
that has some movement or interest, 3) a good selection of branches
and 4)branches that are close in to the trunk. He added
that “for me most of the fun of bonsai is in the process. Creating
something that becomes
a presentable bonsai from something
ordinary is
both fun and
rewarding. It may take several seasons,
but it is always exciting to start a new project.”
|
Literati-like pine in an Ohio field |
|
Mike with a favorite creation |
Mike
recommended Dave DeGroot's book “Basic Bonsai Design,” as an
excellent starting place and
resource for learning how to create bonsai from nursery stock. The
book reviews classic
styles, design principles,
and contains several
sample projects showing the
transition between nursery stock and a bonsai. Many of the projects pictured show typical-looking stock and where initial cuts might be made to begin to creating a bonsai. The book can be purchased from the
American Bonsai Society
for $15.95 at this link:
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