In Japan, a bonsai professional is considered to be one who styles and maintains trees owned by clients. This was my training, and it remains one of the most rewarding of my services in the United States. It was a great honor to work on some of the best trees in the world while an apprentice in Japan, and it is a goal of mine to see the bonsai here reach that same high level. I do not share the pessimism of those who think we will never have trees of the same depth or richness as those overseas. The truth is, it’s happening right now.
Styling and Refinement
Along with sharing by teaching, creating and maintaining bonsai gives me great joy. I frequently have bonsai dropped off at my studio for styling, rewiring, or detailing for an upcoming show. I also work on private collections on site.
A client's juniper before styling in 2010
And afterwards
Teaching
I run several different programs that cover a range of student interests. For local students, my weekend Study Groups meet at my studio and bring their own trees. I am a guide of sorts in those sessions, with the intention that students do their own work. The Seasonal Program is intended for out of state students primarily, who are willing to travel to study bonsai at a high level, and work on my trees. Please see the page devoted to that program: http://crataegus.com/seasonals/ And then I am available for private instruction, which offers more flexible scheduling.
Presentations
Lectures, demonstrations and workshops to organizations nationally and internationally.
Consultation
Advice on the direction of a bonsai or a collection.
Contact:
Michael Hagedorn
crataegus001@yahoo.com
503-277-8072
