MIKE LANE – Friday July 17 – 7pm @GVJCI

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

I write this monthly newsletter with a sad heart and a look into the future of your bonsai trees. In the span of a couple of months we have lost a couple of the pioneers of bonsai in the Los Angeles area. First Al Nelson, Al was a wealth of knowledge and willing to share it with anyone willing to put the time and effort into achieving it. Always a great friend to our club, whether by showing fantastic trees at our show or providing time to do demonstrations for our monthly meetings he will be missed.

The next is Shig Miya, the last of the California Bonsai Society’s Iron Men. Shig was one of the teachers for the Marina Bonsai Club, a long time member of the bonsai societies of Los Angeles and a great friend to our club. Both of these men were part of the large bonsai scene of Los Angeles, 100 years of knowledge bonsai knowledge should be appreciated.

We as bonsai enthusiasts should plan the future of your trees, do we need so many, who should get a tree, what to do with all the pots, stands, dai, stones, everything. Yes I’m getting a bit preachy. Sorry. I have too many trees, pots, stands and many dai, I really don’t collect stones so that’s a bit a relief.

Thank you to all the club members who helped with the Plant Sale at the Gardena Valley JCI Matsuri. Dan, Mark, Mary, Autumn, Norman, Aki, Joyce we had an obligation with the center and you helped deliver, thank you again.

JULY MEETING

Our July demonstrator will be CBS Visiting Artist, Mike Lane. Mike’s journey in bonsai began late in 2008, after receiving a small juniper as a gift. Following this tree’s untimely demise caused by ignorance, he began looking for classes online and stumbled upon Wigert’s Bonsai in North Fort Myers Florida, and began working under the tutelage of Erik Wigert. After a short period of time, he began assisting Erik in both traveling workshops, regular classes, and all aspects of the bonsai nursery.

In 2010 Mike was awarded a scholarship in the amount of $1000 by the Bonsai Societies of Florida, by placing first in the states annual styling competition. Using this scholarship, Mike traveled with his teacher to Mexico for the 2010 FELAB convention where he met and learned from artists such as Mauro Stemberger, Min Lo, Robert Steven, Vlad Novak, and Enrique Castano.

2012 marked the year Mike began teaching, starting with several workshops and demonstrations throughout the state of Florida, as well as teaching a monthly help session aimed at providing continuing education for students finishing the beginner and intermediate classes. Over the years Mr. Lane has dedicated himself to primarily shohin, and tropical bonsai design and has been working toward spreading their appeal and understanding. He has displayed at the state level several times as well as having his work accepted to the U.S. National Bonsai show on two occasions.

Over the last 6 years he has traveled all over the country giving lectures, demonstrations, and exhibit critique visiting clubs in New York, Knoxville, San Antonio, Houston, Austin, and New Orleans as well as many other states and cities. His work has had the honor of appearing in the popular publication Bonsai Focus on numerous occasions.

During the Pandemic, Mike expanded his services to include online and zoom presentations and has engaged with and taught students all over the world. During this time he continued traveling and did two, 15 day tours throughout Texas and Louisiana. 2022-2023 marked the launch of his website and education center, www.kitsunebonsai.com. An online resource for classes, programs, and merchandise.Mike’s demonstrations are lively and educational and are not to be missed. See you there!