Dragon's Annual society show.

Hi its Chris, Bob has not got internet at the moment so he has asked me to write this for him.
Thanks to Nik, Morea and Jo for the kind comments I had no idea the landscape was to be shown at the game fair Dragon Bonsai show as I was on holiday at the time. It was only when I phoned Chris to see how things were going that he gave me the good news I was relly pleased.
There is a little story behind this tree and it goes like this,I first saw it at a club trip to John Hanby's bonsai nursery, I liked the look of the tree and knew that I could do somthing with it so I bought it,this was in 2007. After reworking the tree into a more compact design removing some branches then rewiring the ones that were left to match the new planting angle,I made some jins and created a shari right down the trunk and planted it as it is today. I was encoraged by close friends to have it considered for the forthcoming NEWSTEAD SHOW 2008. In the entry form for the show I had to state the origin of the material ie John Hanby,olso the pot slab which was made by John Pitt etc etc.
I was more than pleased to have it selected, as I was then able to represent it to the place of purchase I receved many rewarding comments for it but the iceing on the cake for me was when the previous owner and his good wife came up to congradulate me on the complete transformation of the tree, not beleving it was the same tree they loved it. That is a really good feeling that no one can take away.
Regards
Bob Hill Dragon Bonsai

I especially like the setting and backdrop to the show. So much better than the cloth drapes we see at so many shows. It seems to be display wide; was that something the club sponsors built, or was it a requirement that each exhibitor/club provide that kind of backdrop?

I especially like the setting and backdrop to the show. So much better than the cloth drapes we see at so many shows. It seems to be display wide; was that something the club sponsors built, or was it a requirement that each exhibitor/club provide that kind of backdrop?

Hi Jim,
Thank you.
These are Dragon's own back drops we use at all our shows.
This time it was our annual society show a the Game fair in Carmarthenshire.
The window frame style can sometimes with some trees be a little distracting with the verticals and horozontal lines.
With Bob's great landscape cedar it works very well.
Over the last few years Bob has presented this display to great effect at many shows, including among others, the 3rd Newstead show, Swindon's winter show, the Best of British show and now our society annual show.

Bob - thanks for the insight via Chris into how you developed an existing tree. A good response to what could so easily have been interpreted (though hopefully not intended) as a pretty unkind comment, it highlights the whole debate about what happens when you buy a tree and then exhibit it under your own name. It seems clear to me that this had become "your" tree and the fact that you openly acknowledge the work done by the original designer/artist is to your credit. (I notice Lee did the same in his post re the twin-trunk juniper - and that is to his credit.) We seem to be a bit stuffy over here in the UK about "bought trees" to the point that some people will claim it as "cheating" or even, if they are extremely vehement in this viewpoint, something akin to fraud. I believe that the minute I pay up the bucks for the tree it becomes mine and it will be exhibited in my name. As a piece of living art, the tree will have moved on since its previous owner, and at the very least I will have maintained it and trimmed it. In some cases I will have completely restyled it. Whichever way around it still has my hand in it. On some occasions I will do little other than maintain the tree in the style I got it - that is usually because I liked that style. I have a Buxus created by Dan Barton which will not change much because I like it that way. I will always acknowledge it as having been created by Dan (recognisably so) but it has had two years of work by me so it is my tree. I have other trees that I have altered with the help of others and I will acknowledge them as having been worked by me with the (sometimes considerable) assistance of Steve T or Mr Tickle or that Italian bloke or whoever. Still my tree though. I believe we all bring our individual touch to our trees irrespective of their origin. We are not all great artists and creators - some of us have to settle for being refiners. But the minute I do something to that tree, it becomes mine in a greater sense than merely ownership.

There will be those who disagree.

Morea"
Jerry,
Now i try and imagen how You look with a beard.

Imagine no more.
In praise of beards.

Morea wrote:Dragonboyzzz ,
if all goes well, i will visit Wales for holiday in July/Aug.
And YES ,i will visit YOU ALL !!!!!
Kind regards
Morea

Are things going well? Hope you can make it.

Dear Jerry

Thank You for the picture !!!!
You look soooooo Italian , gorgeous !!!

I was just 20 miles away from You and Chris ,
but it was the wrong time , such a very big pitty

When i was at wild Llangollen , Kev taught me to say "F" with spit and just say something
like "gothlan" singing mumbly , then all Welsh know were that is !!
I did visit Kev , his beautiful garden on the hill and it was so inspiring Kev !!
Thank You so much for being Your guest !

When i was at the Welsh coast , Chris knows were !
Abersywyth ....spitting , singing , mumbling .
I phoned Chris , he was in Brighton , You where in London and Brighton , both back on
the monday , i could not make it , my boat sailed on wednesday morning to Calais

Jerry , i had some presents with me for Chris's birthday , You and the Drag0nboyzzzzzz.
But i lost the adress , with satnaf it was easy , just put in Bolwyn..??? gardens , but i dont
know the rest anymore ...... "all got lost in translation"
Could You please send me so i can sent You by post.

Had some good and bad times .
Now have to wear glasses when i read or write.
Meds. are cut down a lot and i am stabilyzing until end aug.
Hands and arms feel much better and yesterday started to play a bit with clay again !!!
I wanted to visit You all so very very much ...... aaaarrrgggg.
Many kind regards
Morea

Hey Jerry the beard looks good. DO I see a touch of Ringo Starr There?

Morea,
I am sorry we missed you.
Hope you are well.

Morea wrote:
I had some presents with me for Chris's birthday , You and the Drag0nboyzzzzzz.
But i lost the address , with satnaf it was easy , just put in Bolwyn..??? gardens , but i dont
know the rest anymore ...... "all got lost in translation"
Could You please send me so i can sent You by post

Chris's address is:
- Bonllwyn Aquatics
120 Llandybie Road
Ammanford
Carmarthenshire
SA18 2EE

Rob Kempinski wrote:Hey Jerry the beard looks good. DO I see a touch of Ringo Starr There?

Not sure how to take that.
I was kinda aimming for Kris Kristofferson.

Rob Kempinski wrote:Hey Jerry the beard looks good. DO I see a touch of Ringo Starr There?

Who is Ringo Starr? .... Ah yes.... He is the voice of 'Thomas the Tank Engine'

Jerry... you look like a Bond Villain... "No Mr Tickle I expect you to die!"

Hi Tony,
I was going for an Austin Power's type villian.
007's villains all seem to die horrible.
What do you think, a new mini me?

Jeremy wrote:I was going for an Austin Power's type villian.

Hmmm. I see what you mean. But the beard rather takes away from the Dr Evil look now.





Still can't get used to this Jeremy thing tho'.

Re: Individual Commentary n the Bonsai of Others.
Kev Bailey
I say stick to your real name. It is part of what makes this a "real" place. We know you from your delightful avatar, as well as your name.

.
Fiona,
I took it to heart and made that change. Uro has left the building.

fionnghal wrote:

Jeremy wrote:I was going for an Austin Power's type villian.

Hmmm. I see what you mean. But the beard rather takes away from the Dr Evil look now.

It's not uncommon for Evil genius's to forget to shave while on holiday. So when Mrs Evil genius liked it, the beard was kept.

Jeremy wrote:What do you think, a new mini me?

I DID do a good matching job don't you think? .... and it IS funny

I DID do a good matching job don't you think? .... and it IS funny

acta est fabula plaudite. Caesar Augustus' last words and the play has been performed; applaud!