Pacific Bonsai Expo ‘24 Highlights
How quickly can a bonsai show become a classic?
I’ll let you decide. Here is an informal tour of the exhibition, photos courtesy of Vince Smith. (You will need a good connection, there are a lot of them.)
Best in Show, a cryptomeria. My studio had a hand in this one, a client tree.
Another one from my studio, a Red Maple (Acer rubrum), designed by the great Anne Spencer.
This was our alternative display this year, an Itoigawa Juniper grafted onto a Rocky Mountain trunk, collected by Steve Varland.
The accent is an odd little plant, looks like a desert plant but is a local native, Lewisia columbiana. (The common name is little help, Columbian Lewisia…)
A big part of my extended family, being fantastic bonsai dorks as usual.
The Expo was graced by two potter dignitaries from Japan, on left, Ikko-san, and on the right, Kakuzan-san.
Our organizers, from left, Andrew Robson, Eric Schrader, and Jonas Dupuich.
On the walk back to my lodging near Lake Merritt, a fairy? Maybe Tinkerbell. An enduring memory from Oakland, California. Looking forward to next time, Jonas, Eric, and Andrew!
8 Comments
Your humility is unmatched Michael ! We all know that cryptomeria is great today mostly because of your immaculate technique and care . And the red maple – unbelievable in words . Nobody knew you could ramify a red maple to this level . Lastly Dunkin – perhaps there won’t be another display of this stature .
All I can say – it was my greatest privilege to have seen these in person(not in the expo setting) and memories I shall cherish forever . Thank you for everything you do so humbly and down to earth …
Many thanks Abhishek! Very kind. Maybe overly kind!
Great work Michael!! Congratulations! We all know that your work is displayed in quite a few of the other trees too.. 😉
Hope all is well. 🙂
Thanks Dan! It was a fun show to be a part of.
The quality seemed to be really good this year. Looks like I will have to make a trip to the west coast in two years as it is becoming a can’t miss show
Hi Tom,
Yes, agreed! The first one was exemplary and this one matched or exceeded it.
Thanks for showing the great American Red Maple. Japanese trees have a cachet that makes them more desirable, but American trees deserve respect too.
Glad you enjoyed the maple. I’m grateful that Anne Spencer started it, and that we can now all enjoy it.