I was born in 1972 in Subiaco, a town not far from Rome on the slopes of the Central Apennines. Growing up between the banks of the River Aniene and the area's vast beech woods, I developed a passion for plants of all kinds at a young age. Like the good farmers' son I was, I used to pick small shrubs and try to grow them in pots. As I raised tortoises and canaries, I couldn't help but become increasingly interested in observing and respecting the natural world around me.
I started to develop an interest in bonsai in the early 90s, looking to buy a few specimens at the fairs that were held twice a year in my town; I soon found myself wanting to delve deeper into what I discovered in the few books available at the time.
In 1996, at the San Placido Bonsai Centre in Rome, I finally found a course on how to grow a bonsai. Following this initial learning experience, I spent several years learning to understand the needs and quirks of the plants in my collection. During this time, I also developed a way of thinking that incorporated not only the practical activities involved in growing a bonsai, but also a cultural vision of the East and its close connection to nature.
In 2005, I began attending a new course at a specialist store in Frascati, which gave me a strong incentive to study.
In 2006, I enrolled at the Bonsai Creativo School. From that moment on, my life as a bonsai enthusiast changed drastically as I began to hone my awareness of nature and its constantly evolving forms. I developed my skills in myriad areas: agronomy, sculpture, design, technique, aesthetics and culture.
From 2006 to 2011, I attended the Rome Bonsai Cultural Association in parallel with the school's seminars.
From 2007 onwards, I began to exhibit my specimens at local and national shows. In one of these years, my bonsai was honoured with the IBS Prize.
My first big debut was at the BCI IBS congress in Saint Vincent in 2008. Since then, I have taken part in the various exhibitions held throughout Italy, giving me the opportunity to measure myself against professionals and amateurs alike.
In 2011, I took part in the "Italian Talent" competition organised by UBI (the Italian national association). I was able to go up against a group of young talents and showcase my skills, finishing second.
In 2013, after successfully passing all the BCS exams in the previous years, I graduated, creating a book/report featuring all my work from the past few years. I am still adding new content to the book, and I intend to publish it in 2018.
In 2013, I won the "BCS New Talent" award as part of an internal BCS competition featuring the best bonsai growers from the various branches.
From 2006 to the spring of 2016, I regularly attended the BCS. At the same time, I was able to further my studies as a pupil at Sandro Segneri's garden. Through midweek meetings that involved following the instructor’s lead and working on his plants, I learned advanced techniques, rapid execution times, cutting-edge design approaches, and the ability to work in a team.
In recent years, I have taken part in several seminars and workshops with bonsai authors from Italy and further afield to acquire a more in-depth understanding of the various disciplines that make up the art of bonsai.
Since 2015, I have published articles about bonsai in magazines including:
Bonsai & News, Bonsai Focus, UBI bulletin, Branch (IBS).
In 2016, I founded the SHIZEN bonsai school in Rome, allowing me to put my knowledge to good use by spreading the word about bonsai culture. I am now an instructor for various courses across the country, including at clubs and amateur associations.
In 2017, I become a bonsai instructor at the IBS (National College of Bonsai and Suiseki Instructors). In 2018, I joined the board for the three-year period 2018-2021.
2018 - As a bonsai instructor, I worked with the company Micene Srl, which was providing "experiential training" for the AMA Group.
As an instructor, some of my most stimulating and formative experiences come in the form of sessions for schoolchildren. These courses are designed to encourage young participants to get in touch with the natural world. Through direct relationships with the plants, bonsai becomes a tool that helps the children to improve their technical, creative and manual skills, making them more aware of the natural world around them and giving them a healthier approach to morals and play.
2018 - One of my plants received the Excellence Award for best bonsai from the BCI (Bonsai Clubs International) at the XXI IBS Congress held in Camporosso (Imperia).
In 2018, I founded the Associazione Bonsai Tevere, of which I am currently the president. Alongside the cultural activities that the association carries out in the city of Rome and the wider province, we aim to create a network of bonsai amateurs and enthusiasts, engaging with potential new members through a series of nature-themed events.
2018 - I helped to organise a bonsai exhibition at the Pigorini Museum of Civilisations in Rome for the event "Geisha – the art, the person". The Shizen school decorated the exhibition hall with bonsai trees at various stages of growth, creating a dynamic pathway that alternated between educational content and the daily work of a bonsai grower.
