INTERNATIONAL BONSAI ACADEMY with Walter Pall - The Plato's Cave Analogy

tony wrote:
Walter once said I was "like a dog with fleas" and this was a compliment!

Tony,

I think I remember to have said something like this: " Tony, if you continue to hang around with me at conventions you are like the noble dog that is friendly with the proletarin dogs. In the end it has fleas".

If not true, at leat a good story. Compliment? sure.

I would be sitting in the front row of any class room you taught Walter but some of your opinions seem very closed at the moment and that does not seem your usual track.
Maybe this is not the best example but I have become very fond of bonsai that have branches that go forever and I think it is also very natural looking where the condensed foliage as you seem to suggest is more a caricature of a tree.


Sorry I don't have a credit for this picture.

As a newcomer to forums, this seems a good point to ask - is there a difference between "being inspired by" and "copying" in bonsai? Over the years I have learnt a good deal about the horticulture, but the artistic talent is missing (or not yet found, and it is getting rather late!). So what can one do but follow the best examples? I justify it by telling myself that I will never assist the tree/s to become a masterpiece original "painting", but I can have a reasonable "print" and love that for itself.

Brett,

I am not suggesting condesed foliage in all cases. Onla the majortiy fo the crowns of amateurs are way too large.
And it is NOT only about ntural look. It is about artistic proportions.

Maybe I am reading more into what you are saying than you really are. I agree and I guess I have never touched on the fact that an overly large nebari could be off set by a larger crown so that is obviously an excellent tip and advice.
But could you clarify what you think of trees with long branches such as this better example. I find it absolutely stunning and very natural looking myself.

See this picture and many more here
https://ibonsaiclub.forumotion.com/t4823-taiwan-in-2010-15th-chapter-of-national-huafeng-bonsai-exhibition

Brett,

the tree that you are posting can only be done by having an extemly compact crown for a few years in the beginning. Otherwise the branches will have no taper and be just too long. This is a good example for my insisting in cutting back MORE than you think necessary in the beginning. What looks like naturally grown is the result of militant horticultural regime over decades.

Thanks Walter,
I think it is simply my misunderstanding. It is common for trees to be too tall with many bonsai people but as we where talking an Academy I figured we where talking about more advanced trees/practitioners. I like the saying grow your branches like you grow your trunks. I do understand there is alot of work to get these amazing branches that seem to go forever.
I have really started to appreciate these tall elegant yet powerful trees.
This style seems to be more common in the Indonesian areas. Any idea why this style is popular there? I wondered if it was fast growing conditions that allowed them to get these results quicker than others?

Walter Pall wrote:

tony wrote:
Walter once said I was "like a dog with fleas" and this was a compliment!

" Tony, if you continue to hang around with me at conventions you are like the noble dog that is friendly with the proletarin dogs. In the end it has fleas"..

Wooooo after the beers it kinda got lost in translation

EPISODE III - Walter Pall talks about a world class deciduous material

Episode IV - Walter Pall talks about this year's new raw material

Mr. Sandev

Thanks thousand times for sharing these with us!

Taner

Sakaki wrote:Mr. Sandev

Thanks thousand times for sharing these with us!

Taner

You' re welcome. There is more

Sebastijan Sandev wrote:

Sakaki wrote:Mr. Sandev

Thanks thousand times for sharing these with us!

Taner

You' re welcome. There is more

I also would like to see developments of your trees shown in these videos!

Thank you
Taner

Sakaki wrote:

Sebastijan Sandev wrote:

Sakaki wrote:Mr. Sandev

Thanks thousand times for sharing these with us!

Taner

You' re welcome. There is more

I also would like to see developments of your trees shown in these videos!

Thank you
Taner

Everything I do is on my blog here... http://sandevbonsai.blogspot.com/ ... and all videos are here... https://www.youtube.com/user/SandevBonsai?feature=guide
I will show progress

Thank you!

Thanks Sebastijan and Walter. Fantastic information and videos! Thanks for sharing!

I add my voice to the crowd in thanking you both.

Episode VII - Gigantic Carpinus orientalis, styling

Episode VIII - Beautiful little Carpinus in leaf

Sebastijan,

Nice collection and I find it funny when Walter says they are ugly now but will be great bonsai later...I find them very pretty now! Of course I understand what he is saying. It is nice to see and hear the master share his wisdom, even just in videos.

The ultimate compliment I think is whenever Walter says it should be his tree or it belongs in his garden. LOL

Congrats and please keep us posted.

I just love these videos. I love the material, and esp. Walters' comments on the various trees. Very informative and I like it when he says exactly 'why' this or that needs to be done.

Chris