New handcrafted mini mame display/saikei (without trees, for now). What do you think???)

What's up, everybody? As some of you may already know I have had an interest in mame bonsai, as well as saikei, since I got started. Well, I've found a way to combine my two favorite areas of bonsai! Everything you see minus the tray itself and mame pots was handcrafted by yours truly. Who knew I was so crafty??? Here are the pics...


Front view




Top view




Sand/rock garden




Close up of my mini "suiseki"




Left side view




Tool shed close up




Right side view




Koi pond aerial

I know, I know, it's hard for even me to believe I made all this stuff... so here's proof





Boulder border finished




Mini bench/cinder blocks unfinished




First rough layout




Torii gate unfinished




A load of miniatures going into my "kiln" (it's all polymer clay baked in my oven)




More minis




And, finally, the last load of minis




As you can see, I put quite a bit of work into this project and enjoyed every bit of it! (my wife thinks I'm crazy) I've already got several ideas for future projects of a similar nature. Just trying to have fun and pass the time, and ended up finding something I truly enjoy. Hope you all like it as much as I do

What is your first name? Or, if you prefer I will call you Gentleman G.
You have an artistic talent and I like your mini suiseki and benches (with "concrete" blocks) best. Your koi are cute!
The mudman is in good scale with the suiseki and benches. Are you going to try to make bonsai pots out of the polymer for scale?
Keep at it. The world of miniatures is "HUGE"!
Best,Todd

Thanks, Todd! My first name is Gentry, hence Gentleman. I've actually talked to a few different potters about custom pots, and a member here contacted me as well. I'm afraid polymer clay won't last as a bonsai pot... maybe I'm wrong. I have seen a test on the internet somewhere that shows what brands are waterproof, but it doesn't give any clue as to how long it'll stay that way. I know the pots are a bit out of scale, but I'd still like to see what they might look like once they have trees in 'em. I'm glad you liked my backyard.


G

Obviously you are very original and artistic. The individual pots are lovely. However, your saikei tray is in the style of old-fashioned dish gardens and British trough gardens. Nothing wrong with them but they are not saikei. In saikei, and even landscape penjing, the emphasis is on the trees and natural decoration, such as rocks. Tchotchkes are not used at all in saikei, and very sparingly in penjing. A British speaker in Rochester, possibly Peter Warren, said, "If you look at a bonsai and the first thing you see is the figurine, take it out." I like figurines, but with some exceptions, like a holiday display, I put the figurine toward the back of the tree or the corner of the pot, so there is some subtlety & intrigue.
If your scene represents the suburban backyard of a bonsai & suiseki collector, the torii gate is out of place. It goes with a Japanese temple.
To explore the subject further, read Kawamoto's book on saikei, which should be in the library of the nearest bonsai club, and Penjing,Worlds of Wonderment (forgot how to spell the author's name), Zhao I think. If I recall, Lew Buller is the author of a recent book on saikei. (I apologize for errors; the computer is in the basement & my bonsai books are upstairs.)
Iris

Thanks, Iris. I actually have read Worlds of Wonderment, the author's first name is Qingquan. I've also read several books and articles on both penjing and saikei, as well as The Chinese Art of Bonsai and Potted Landscapes. I've also read what I can on Bonkei, Hon Non Bo, and any other type of tray landscapes. I actually thought about it not being "saikei", I just figured most people (and Google, for other beginners looking for info) would indentify "saikei" more readily, thus bringing more attention/feedback to my post. Sorry if my use of an improper term came across as ignorance, and I appreciate your trying to point me in the right direction. I have many solo trees and ideas for other landscapes that will follow the traditions more closely. For this particular landscape, my aim was to NOT be traditional. I intentionally made things a little cluttered and crammed together because that's how most yards I've visited appeared. My aim here was to represent a "bonsaists backyard" to the best of my abilities, and if you look at it from that point of view I'd say I've succeeded. I've heard many people say "bonsai needs people to think outside the box every then" and very few ever try new things. This may not be "Bonsai" or "Saikei" in the traditional sense, but at least I tried something new. In no way am I offended by your comment, Iris, and I hope this is not coming across as such. I just heard so much about "rules" and "traditions" starting off, I was almost afraid to try new and different things. I posted this as a reminder to everybody that bonsai can be fun. I understand that my display may never see a convention or win an award and that's fine with me, I didn't get into bonsai to win awards. I got into bonsai to relax and grow some beautiful trees. Things like this project are just passing time till I stumble across some fine yamadori specimes while waiting for my nursery stock to mature into something pleasing to look at. Thanks again for your feedback, that's why I'm here.


G

Very cool G !! I particularly like the suiseki !!!

Cheers
Vic

Hello Gentleman

I really like what You 're doing.
Must say i don't care how it is called ,
Your making a presentation of what is Yours , comes from Your heart.

To make such presentations is very intense and definitly pure.
There is one thing i would like to ask You to keep in mind.
Less is Less Chaotic.

There is a Spanish bonsai-ist Xaime Parada , who also makes
presentations , You night have a look at his work .
Also very out of rules , he works with cages , piggies on platforms etc.

Keep on going ,
i like it very much and enjoy the "path You are walking"
Kind regards
Morea

Thanks, Vic!!! Can't wait to see the results of your next firing. And, thank you too, Morea. I understand it's a little chaotic, but which one of our yards isn't??? That's what I was going for, I don't want you to be able to glance at this display and see all there is to see. Instead, I'd like for people to stop for a while and enjoy the scenery. I've been going to my teacher's place for a few months now, and everytime I'm there I see something I didn't see last time, or gain a new appreciation for something I've looked at 100s of times. This is what I had in mind while arranging this scene. I think it's ALMOST too much. Once I get some pots that are a bit smaller on those back stands that should clear up some of the "clutter" a bit. Thank you for taking the time to enjoy my landscape! And I will definitely look into Xaime's work, any idea where I may find info on him??? I appreciate the feedback!!!


G

I don't remember the title of the thread, but some of our British members have posted "saikei" based on Lord of the Rings. Maybe one of them can tell you how to pull them up. They were very interesting.
Iris

Iris, I hope they respond to your request; I would like to see those too!

Love it. The detail down to the hose and pump on the tool shed is awesome, G!