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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
I missed a great program last month, Michael Roberts is wealth of knowledge and a very good teacher. Thank you Michael for your time and knowledge and dedication to the art of bonsai.
Our demonstrator this month is the California Bonsai Society’s Visiting artist, Kris Springer. Kris is an amazing artist from the East Coast and it will be a fantastic presentation. Here is more Information about Kris:
KRIS SPRINGER (AKA BLACK DODGE BONSAI)
As with a lot of people, Bonsai came to me as a gifted plant in a pot with rocks glued to the surface. I loved it to death, if it wasn’t already dead… I was living in Seattle at the time and I found many good Bonsai nurseries around even back in the early ‘90’s. When I moved back to the east coast I carried 60 plus trees back to Massachusetts, this was 1996 and my Bonsai “hobby” was about to change forever.
I met, at a workshop, who was described to me as a reclusive hermit, an Ogre and it was he who was teaching the workshop. For some reason Nick latched on to me and I to him and for 26-ish years until his passing the Ogre was my teacher, surrogate father and my friend.
Nicks style of Bonsai was mostly self taught and un-encumbered by rules. Nature was his guide along with a bit of wimsy, but it was the wildness that he cherished, the motion and emotion created. So to is my style and beliefs, as a nut doesn’t fall far from the tree.
I have studied with others and to name them all would be boring, but Pauline Muth instilled proper wiring, Martin Schmalenburg gave me more design and inspiration. Classical Bonsai in a three year study group with a crazed Italian. Many people have formed my Bonsai asthetic, I steal bits and pieces where I find them valuable, but I always return and yield to my Ogre.
Awards and show trees…?? yeah, a few but big deal. The joy for me is working on trees with people and with the tree. It’s health being the most important factor in all choices of work.
What is this “Black Dodge Bonsai” bit…..? another of Nicks machinations when he dared me long ago to go and find wild trees that were really cool. This led me to become one of the best sources for yamadori in the north east. Collecting trees is almost as amazing as taking raw stock and creating cool, wild looking trees with motion, emotion and maybe a bit of whimsy.
REPOTTING SEASON
The month of February is always a busy time for bonsai artists here is SoCal. Repotting season, pruning, soil preparation, pot cleaning, and in some lucky occasions yamadori or yardadori collecting. Gathering akadama, pumice, lava rock, kanuma, and other soil essentials is always a tough job. Sifting and separating all the soil ingredients by size can be a time consuming and messy task. You can buy premixed bags of akadama but the particle size may vary.
GSBF BONSAI-A-THON
The largest fundraiser for GSBF is the Bonsai-A-thon evert on February 22-23 at the Huntington Library and Gardens. The display trees will be in tribute to the retiring Ted Matson. Bonsai vendors of all things bonsai will be selling their wares. You can find finished trees, semi styled trees, and pre-bonsai stock from vendors based in Fresno to San Diego, Riverside to the beach, bonsai pots from Japan and all places Los Angeles. You can also buy raffle tickets for the largest raffle in Southern California or buy trees from the fantastic Huntington auction of bonsai trees.
CALL FOR TEACHERS
Dai Ichi will be leading a beginner’s workshop on Sunday, March 23rd – 11:30am – 3pm at the GVJC. If you’re interested in helping teach at these workshops just let me know. You may not be teaching the whole workshop but we will have you focus on 1 or 2 students. These workshops are fun, rewarding and a great way to share your knowledge with beginners.
Welcome back bonsai friends and thank you for all your support
Doyle
ANNUAL CLUB MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
The mission of DIBK is to promote the learning and appreciation of bonsai in Southern California and throughout the world. From it’s inception, DIBK has always been a teaching club and we strive to educate as well as showcase our membership in every event we produce. Your support, through membership dues and donations are invaluable to the success of our mission.
• Monthly meetings, seminars and lectures – DIBK brings in knowledgable guest demonstrators from throughout California and the United States, to educate and inspire bonsai artists of all skill levels.
• Live streaming of lectures, critiques and demonstrations – Through various social media platforms, we strive to produce high quality streaming video content where people from around the world can learn techniques from talented bonsai artists in real time.
• Special Masters Series events – Bringing in top-tier bonsai talent to Southern California for exclusive lectures, demonstrations and workshops for DIBK members.
• Monthly workshops – Where both beginning and advanced DIBK members can learn the proper techniques to creating beautiful, healthy bonsai.
• Exhibitions – Every year, DIBK produces our annual Exhibition & Sale, as well as participating in other local club and organization exhibitions, where our club and its members best trees are proudly displayed.
• Field trips – Tour the collections of established local bonsai artists and members. DIBK Members can learn growing techniques and see how other artists care for and display their collections.
• Buying Trips – DIBK members enjoy specially arranged group visits to nurseries throughout California, to view and acquire developed and pre-bonsai specimen.
• Auctions – Provides DIBK members the opportunity to acquire fantastic bonsai material at great prices.
Please support the club by paying your dues either in-person to CJ Levinstein, or via the paypal link on our website:
https://www.daiichibonsaikai.com/?page_id=1655
Thank you for all your support.
Doyle
UPCOMING EVENTS
February 19 – California Bonsai Society – the demonstrator is Kris Springer
February 21 – DiBk Club workshop with Kris Springer/$75
February 21 – DiBk Club Meeting with Kris Springer
February 22/23 – Bonsai-A-thon
March 1/2– Lake Merrit Mammoth auction- Trees, stones, stands. Vendor sale on Sunday
March 15 – Bonsai Friends Sale 9:00-2:00 11832 Euclid St, Garden Grove
March 23 – Beginners Workshop Hermanos @ GVJCI (NEED TEACHERS!) |
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