Page 4 - BSAM 2016 Q3

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We are raising funds for the future of BCI! Any donation you can make, will help.
Remember BCI in your will, your trust, your future!
For more information contact:
Glenis Bebb, president@bonsai-bci.com
MHessage froM the editor
ow will you improve your bonsai practice? A common belief is that it takes 10,000 hours to acquire a skill. Where are you on this continuum to virtuosity? Can you create a beautiful
bonsai or carve a compelling suiseki? (No, it’s not a typo, I said carve a suiseki—not just the base or daiza but the actual stone. Read on.)
At 8 hours per day, ve days a week, 10,000 hours equals approxi- mately 5 years. But if you are not under the watchful eye of a teacher or coach, without a program or resources, it may take much longer. Most of us will never get to this level with our bonsai. Many of us are satis ed with only 50 hours of training, allowing for a “good enough” performance level, enjoying other aspects of the hobby, such as social- izing with other bonsai friends or dabbling in related pastimes such as carpentry, photography, or making pots. Although we can go through the motions easily, no matter how much we practice, improvement is negligible. Compare this to the length of time a bonsai apprentice serves during a six-year period where 12-hour days are the norm. Regardless of where we are on this scale, we must respect each other and rejoice in what is accomplished, both by pros and amateurs.
As individuals, we are motivated and shaped by many in uences in our lives so why not heed the advice of those who have excelled?
José Rodriguez from Puerto Rico has made a big contribution to this issue by introducing, writing, and translating a series of articles. e feature article is by David Benavente, an acclaimed bonsai artist in Spain. e detailed case studies on three wild olives serve to teach many bonsai techniques for methodically developing wild material into a work of art. David’s meticulous record and keen knowledge will help you with olives and many species with similar characteristics. In another case study, José shares his experience in developing a Clerodendrum aculeatum in the bonsai style. Ogi Uyehara, Philippines, shows us how he purposefully uses time and the unique growth habit of a Ficus to develop a Taiwanese-inspired bonsai. Min Hsuan Lo from Taiwan, takes a big leap and creates a distinctive innovation on the forest style with an alpine forest, inspired by Nature’s Masters.
Tobie Kleynhans looks at the evolution of a national bonsai style that is true to geography, culture and climate by using the language of ne art to explore the African Bonsai Style.
Budi Sulistyo, Indonesia, explores the Ombilin River in West Sumatra for stones and presents the bounty that can be found there.
If you can’t search for stones in exotic places, perhaps you can man- ufacture one. Tom Elias and Hiromi Nakaoji have collected some star- tling information about the many suiseki that have been enhanced by skilled stone carvers in Japan to create works of art that are thought to be totally natural—even those stones shown in National exhibits.
ere’s lots to learn and explore in this issue, and to help you ac- cumulate more hours on your way to perfect stones and trees.
—Joe Grande, Canada (editor@bonsai-bci.com) 2 | BCI | July/August/September 2016
MISSION STATEMENT
BONSAI CLUBS INTERNATIONAL
Bonsai Clubs International, a not-for-pro t educational organization, advances the ancient and living art of bonsai and related arts through the global sharing of knowledge. We educate while promoting international friendship and solidify world relationships through cooperation with individuals and organizations whose purpose is consistent with ours.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Glenis Bebb, President Queensland, Australia president@bonsai-bci.com
Helen Su, 1st Vice President Taiwan, R.O.C. bcivp@bonsai-bci.com
Nikunj Parekh, 2nd Vice President Mumbai, India nikunjyo@gmail.com
David DeGroot, Secretary Washington, USA degrood@comcast.net
Roger Snipes, Treasurer Washington, USA treasurer@bonsai-bci.com
DIRECTORS
Massimo Bandera, Italy
mb@massimobandera.it
Sujata Bhat, India
sbhat@hotmail.com
Gudrun Benz, Germany
Benz-W@t-online.de
Vic Ceballos, Philippines
bonsairp@yahoo.com
Chen Chan, China
chairman@pck.com.cn
Les Dowdell, Canada
hokkoku@telusplanet.net
Min Hsuan Lo, Taiwan
bonsailo@mail2000.com.tw
Frank Mihalic, USA
mihalicf@yahoo.com
Carlos Morales, Puerto Rico
djcalinary@yahoo.com
Ing Suan Ng, Malaysia
isng1818@gmail.com
Budi Sulistyo, Indonesia
budisulistyo22@gmail.com
BCI BUSINESS OFFICE
Larry Stephan, Business Manager PO Box 639, Prospect Heights, IL 60070-0639, USA o ce@bonsai-bci.com
WEB SITE MAINTENANCE
Bonnie Moore, Canada
neveryonas@shaw.ca
WEB SITE EDITOR
Joe Grande, Canada
editor@bonsai-bci.com
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New members, go to www.bonsai-bci.com and click on “Join BCI Today” button. Renewing members, log in to your account and go to Manage My Pro le/Renew My Membership.
Join or Renew Online, by Phone, by E-mail or by Mail.
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IL 60070-0639, USA.