34th Midwest Bonsai Exhibition-Chicago Botanical Garden

As Mr. Bill Valavanis mentioned in his post regarding his Shishigashira Maple, Ryan Neil was attending as the guest master, judge and demonstrator at this years show at the Chicago Botanical Garden.

Hope you all enjoy these photos. It was a great weekend event for American Bonsai.

I'd like to share a few trees and other items with the forum. As you know Mr. Bill Valavanis received first prize in the professional division. A link to his thread is here:https://ibonsaiclub.forumotion.com/t7377-new-container-selection-help-needed

My good friend and bonsai teacher Matt Ouwinga recieved 2nd place in the professional division with the below trident maple.


Jim Doyle receeved 3rd in the professional division with his large Acer Palmatum:


I entered the open division with my bougainvillea glabra and received best in show. The stand was built by Jay Kolaya. "Best in Show" is somewhat of a misnomer, in that the open division does not compete with trees within the professional ranks. The professional 1st prize is the pinnacle. Be that as it may, this was my first exhibition ever and I am thrilled Mr. Neil saw my tree as fit for this award. As such, it has received an invitation from Mr. Valavanis to attend the 3rd National convention.



Below are trees which were also exhibited by Matt Ouwinga, and a few close ups of stands built by our good friend Jay Kolaya. The slabs included with the below trees are made of Tasmanian Jarrah and were cut and finished by Jay.

The root over rock in the first photo also received an invite to the 3rd National exhibition.



Trident Maple Matt Ouwinga. Stand Jay Kolaya.


Trident Maple Matt Ouwinga. Stand Jay Kolaya.


Trident Maple Matt Ouwinga. Stand Jay Kolaya.



Trident maple: Neil Dellinger Stand" Jay Kolaya


The rest are stands by Jay Kolaya:

Great stuff. And congratulations Neil.
The Bougie looked great.

Congrats Neil. Great work. Love your tree.
Jerry

Love those maples.

Neil, nice tridents, but they don't hold a candle to your bougainvillea. That Japanese maple is fine too. Jay's stands are beautiful, he should be very proud.

Imo, your bougainvillea looks really cramped in that small alcove. It needs a more spacious display, reminds me of sitting in a confessional.

Well deserved congratulations.

Thanks all. Jay's stands are tremendous as are Matt's trident maples. The alcove was the center tokonoma space provided to showcase the winning trees. The main display areas are much more spacious. There were +/- 150 trees, most of them had enough space.

I was able to get some very good advice from Ryan Neil on the next steps for the bougainvillea (deadwood, branch ramification & pot choice). Overall Ryan provided some great advice and insights regarding individual trees and the show overall. Very polite and professional, but direct in his critique.

Neil

Hey Neil,

Long time huh? Hopefully your trip went well tonight! First off I would like to say congratulations again on your finish this weekend, you've poured your heart and sole into your trees and the "Best in Show" award is quite fitting! I do think it would be great if you would post the picture you have of you and Logan the day you collected it to give everyone an idea of the amount of work it took to get that tree to the point it is at now. I would also like to say a very sincere thank you to both you and Matt for giving me the opportunity to build stands for you both. It's truely humbling to be trusted enough to create something to accompany such wonderful trees! Russell, thank you as well for your kind words!

Cheers,

~Jay

Neil,
Congratulations on a well deserved Best of Show Award.

Here is a good photo of the bonsai alone. As the Best of Show Award winner, your bonsai has been automatically accepted for display in the 3rd US National Bonsai Exhibition next June 9-10, 2012.

Entries are now coming in and being accepted. NOW is the time to take a photo of any bonsai anyone who would like to submit photos. Simply send me a good photo of your bonsai to:

wnv@internationalbonsai.com

Bill

Good job Neil, That's some bougie and imagine if it had colored bracts on it!!!

The stands made by Jay are outstanding. Really show off the trees.

Neil,

I am very proud of you! Your tree and display are excellent examples of the high quality bonsai being grown in Chicago-land. A different color stand (darker) and higher quality pot will bring this tree to a new level. I look forward to seeing it at the 3rd national show. Ryan's suggestions with the deadwood is excellent as well.

Jay,

Your stands are excellent and I'm always honored to have my trees sit on them, as is Neil. Keep making stands and innovating new techniques and ideas.

Very proud of you both and look forward to continued work and success in our bonsai endeavours.

Sincerely,

Matthew Ouwinga
www.kaedebonsai.com

Just in case you guys haven't seen them.
I have made several videos of Ryan Neil's Exhibit critique and demo

Ryan Neil Exhibit Critique Midwest Bonsai Society Fall 2011 Show #1

Ryan Neil Exhibit Critique Midwest Bonsai Society Fall 2011 Show #2

Ryan Neil Exhibit Critique Midwest Bonsai Society Fall 2011 Show #3

Ryan Neil Ponderosa Pine Demo Midwest Bonsai Society 2011 #1

Ryan Neil Ponderosa Pine Demo Midwest Bonsai Society 2011 #2

Ryan Neil Ponderosa Pine Demo Midwest Bonsai Society 2011 #3

Gallery from the Show

I've watched the videos of the critique. Very informative. Thanks for posting Paul. I'll have to check out the demo videos.

Great bits of useful information in there!

Neil