Any interest in hand painted pots ???

[A Random User]

So, I have been tossing around the idea of starting to hand paint pots such
as the ones I have posted above... There are very few folks who actually do these
anymore, no one here in the states I believe does, and at one point in the history
of Bonsai, was pretty much the norm of Bonsai pots.

Today these type of pots are hardly ever used, and I kinda think it is a shame...
used mostly now as just awesome valuable display pot, with no tree in it.

So, My question is two fold and anyone willing to answer could answer both questions
or just one, but the feedback would be greatly appreciated...

First question how does everyone feel about these type of pots, and would they be
interested, as I am in seeing more of their use in Bonsai, especially here in the states...

Second, do you think there would be an interest in these type of pots ? Would you
be interested ? Now they would not end up being cheap pots... sorry, I would have
to have the pots made for me and top glazed for me, so I would have their costs involved...
I would have to paint the pots, so I would have my cost involved as well as any marketing,
shipping, etc. If they were to have a wooden box to store them in, this would be an
additional cost. Although I could sell them without it.

But, my feelings are that not only would that really make a nice statement when displaying...
But would be a very unique one of a kind pot, of high quality.

Let me know what you all think ???

Give me a second before anyone posts, I would like to add some more pics of similar pots
with trees in them...


Also wanted to add that I could also do custom painted pots where the buyer would be able
to have painted a subject or scene that they so choose.

 

[A Random User]

Here are some with trees...

 

[A Random User]

and a couple more...

 

[A Random User]

and even more...

 

[Eric Group]

I think the subject matter of the paintings, the colors... Would dictate it for me personally...

To be honest most of the pots you posted pictures of are not appealing to me, they just remind me of my grand mother's china... Not a bad thing I guess, but not exactly what I want to put my trees in. I would prefer a solid colored vibrant blue, or even the standard unglazed brown to most of those pots. I guess for me, the paintings clash with the trees or somehow take focus off the tree a little bit...

Now, that said- I have seen you post some of your work here and I think you are a very talented artist. Your sign you created for the bonsai show in Florida earlier this month with the silhouetted tree against the red back ground was beautiful... Maybe you could make some pots I would find more appealing. Just giving you my opinion on the style- but with that said, I am not the kind of person who would be your target audience to sell these to as I do not spend the kind of money on pots it would take to procure a hand painted pot from you... I am still trying to get most of my trees to the point where I would be proud to put them in a nice bonsai tray, certainly not ready to spend hundreds on a nice pot for them YET.

 

[A Random User]

I think the subject matter of the paintings, the colors... Would dictate it for me personally...

To be honest most of the pots you posted pictures of are not appealing to me, they just remind me of my grand mother's china... Not a bad thing I guess, but not exactly what I want to put my trees in. I would prefer a solid colored vibrant blue, or even the standard unglazed brown to most of those pots. I guess for me, the paintings clash with the trees or somehow take focus off the tree a little bit...

Now, that said- I have seen you post some of your work here and I think you are a very talented artist. Your sign you created for the bonsai show in Florida earlier this month with the silhouetted tree against the red back ground was beautiful... Maybe you could make some pots I would find more appealing. Just giving you my opinion on the style- but with that said, I am not the kind of person who would be your target audience to sell these to as I do not spend the kind of money on pots it would take to procure a hand painted pot from you... I am still trying to get most of my trees to the point where I would be proud to put them in a nice bonsai tray, certainly not ready to spend hundreds on a nice pot for them YET.

Cool, I understand, and points taken...
What about pots such as these...

not every pot would have to be
blue and white or red an white.
And I also understand your issues with the price
of pots such as these, just curious of what you thought
of these type. Thanks

 

[berobinson82]

I know my lady would love to have one. And that means I'd love to know what kind of premium is attached to painted pots.

 

[A Random User]

Some more that aren't white...


OOPS... Sorry, last one is carved...
which brings up another interesting route as well.

 

[Eric Group]

Cool, I understand, and points taken...
What about pots such as these...
View attachment 44331View attachment 44332View attachment 44333

To me, that is a much cleaner, more modern look and something I think would fit most trees without detracting from the overall image. I saw a pot you posted in that train wreck thread about "experience"- just had lines in a pattern with no colors- don't know if it was hand painted or what, but that was a good looking pot! I think it was a round pot that was brown with black lines... The more abstract the better IMO. Again, just MY personal style and preference I guess- I am far from an expert on pairing trees with pots, but I have years of experience in the arts and I know what I think looks good!

Overall, I would just tell you man- if you think it is a good idea go for it! You may or may not make money in the end, but you could at least wind up with some cool pots that mean a lot to YOU, and in my experience the best art is made when it is about fulfilling your own desires to create something. If you make something you really like, and you really "get into it", I am sure other people will see the same things you do and if you decide to sell some pots you will find an audience that is willing to buy them. Like I said before, I think you have a good eye, your paintings are cool- put something you do well on a pot, and you might make something none of us have seen before! I don't think you want to try to emulate the style of pots made previously here- make something people have never seen before and you might have something that gets everyone excited (well maybe not Vance, you guys don't seem to be getting along too well in that other thread LOL)! just my 2 cents, hope it helps!

 

[A Random User]

I know my lady would love to have one. And that means I'd love to know what kind of premium is attached to painted pots.

If you are speaking of money and cost...
You bring up a go point, that I was also wondering...
and that is, what kind of price would make it worth doing for me,
and at the same time not so high that they are unsellable ???
I am not sure... Obviously, some factors might play into this,
such as size of the pot, perhaps how detailed equaling how
much time it takes me...
What do you think would be a reasonable price ???

 

[A Random User]

To me, that is a much cleaner, more modern look and something I think would fit most trees without detracting from the overall image. I saw a pot you posted in that train wreck thread about "experience"- just had lines in a pattern with no colors- don't know if it was hand painted or what, but that was a good looking pot! I think it was a round pot that was brown with black lines... The more abstract the better IMO. Again, just MY personal style and preference I guess- I am far from an expert on pairing trees with pots, but I have years of experience in the arts and I know what I think looks good!

Overall, I would just tell you man- if you think it is a good idea go for it! You may or may not make money in the end, but you could at least wind up with some cool pots that mean a lot to YOU, and in my experience the best art is made when it is about fulfilling your own desires to create something. If you make something you really like, and you really "get into it", I am sure other people will see the same things you do and if you decide to sell some pots you will find an audience that is willing to buy them. Like I said before, I think you have a good eye, your paintings are cool- put something you do well on a pot, and you might make something none of us have seen before! I don't think you want to try to emulate the style of pots made previously here- make something people have never seen before and you might have something that gets everyone excited (well maybe not Vance, you guys don't seem to be getting along too well in that other thread LOL)! just my 2 cents, hope it helps!

I appreciate your comments... I was just curious to hear what others thought
regarding these type of pots. With my art and my selling of my art to the Bonsai
community, I am always searching and looking into new ways to expand what I do
and to try and offer a larger selection of my work to a larger group of people.
Some people are looking for a new scroll, some just a t-shirt, I when I vend also
offer hand-painted wooden purses for the girlfriends and wives who can't stand Bonsai
and got dragged along to the convention...

 

[berobinson82]

If you are speaking of money and cost...
You bring up a go point, that I was also wondering...
and that is, what kind of price would make it worth doing for me,
and at the same time not so high that they are unsellable ???
I am not sure... Obviously, some factors might play into this,
such as size of the pot, perhaps how detailed equaling how
much time it takes me...
What do you think would be a reasonable price ???

Let's go to PM. I'm much better there.

 

[Poink88]

When I started bonsai, I only liked brown unglazed rectangular pots...slowly, I warmed up to other shapes, glazes, colors, etc.

Almost all the posted pics are actually appealing to me now while they never did before (maybe a year or so ago). How much I am willing to pay for a premium depends on how much I liked a piece but I am also not your potential market since my bonsai fund is limited.

That said, I probably will choose a regular glazed pot made by one of the better bonsai potters today than a painted one.

I believe it is a niche market but with the proper clientele, it could be a hit. I would definitely give it a try if I were you.

Good luck!!!

 

[johng]

Personally I am glad this type of pot no longer dominates small bonsai. For me, they distract from the tree. At this point I would never buy one of these for a tree...maybe to put on shelf but even that is unlikely. I have collected hundreds of pots over the years and never once has one such as what you have posted made it into my collection.

On a second point, I am not sure of your process but I would have to guess that if the pots are only painted and not fired in some way...the painting would be temporary...and in a garden environment I don't suspect the paint would stay in good condition for very long.

Pots are already expensive...add the cost of painting to a quality pot and I think you have put it out of reach for most hobbyists. Painting less than quality pots doesn't make any sense at all in my book.

So, from my perspective...the long term marketing for this type of product doesn't make sense. Personally I think your talents could be better utilized...

John

 

[GrimLore]

I can see a few uses for the brighter varieties such as for small specimens put on display in entry ways and shelves when there are guests. The red and white for example on a piece of darkly oiled wood with a nice plant would look great at our new place. I am not a fan of the blue and white but if someone had a country kitchen I bet they would love them. The natural tones are very nice with the subtle dark decorations and again could work out well for informal displays indoors. The reason I am leaned on indoors is I am not sure if and of those are fired but if not indoors would be suitable. PM me with a price on that purse with the koi/carp on it - seems to me the Wife would like one. After I settle in Spring I will contact you on a couple of pots.

Grimmy

 

[Mac In Oak Ridge]

The painted pottery from China and Japan can be had by anyone anytime, that is willing to buy one.

If your intent it to copy that "style", oriental theme designs, I don't think you would be very successful. If you intend to adapt that idea and Americanize it, Rocky Mountain, Appalachian Mountain, Great Plains, cypress swamps of the Southeast and so forth themes you may have a small market for bonsaists that are looking to pot up American trees that are being cared for and designed in the more naturalistic style that is developing here.

 

[md4958]

Im sure the movement away from these beautiful pots began when the theory that the the pot should not distract the viewer from the tree. It should compliment, not compete.

That being said, I think these pots are truly works of art. I would never pot a tree in one, but rather have them for display.

It would be a niche market I think, and the only way I see it being profitable for you, long-term, is to begin making your own pots. The initial investment would be substantially more, so buying pre-made pots to test the waters would be prudent.

You are very talented, the paining on those purses is beautiful, have you ever considered scrolls? Perhaps even custom made?

 

[lordy]

I'm afraid I fall in to the camp of those who think that the pot is too busy and detracts from the overall experience of the tree. Not my cup of tea.

 

[A Random User]

When I started bonsai, I only liked brown unglazed rectangular pots...slowly, I warmed up to other shapes, glazes, colors, etc.

Almost all the posted pics are actually appealing to me now while they never did before (maybe a year or so ago). How much I am willing to pay for a premium depends on how much I liked a piece but I am also not your potential market since my bonsai fund is limited.

That said, I probably will choose a regular glazed pot made by one of the better bonsai potters today than a painted one.

I believe it is a niche market but with the proper clientele, it could be a hit. I would definitely give it a try if I were you.

Good luck!!!

Pretty much what you in the others are saying is why I haven't already ventured
Into doing them... I haven't really begun figuring out the numbers of what it would
Cost to do them.... or what I would have to sell at if I did them... this was just a fishing
Thread to see what others thought...

I do think there might be a market for them..
Especially among some of the competitive folks displaying bonsai, but like a personalized
Set of golf clubs, it would not be a necessity to play the game...
So yes the market woukd be small...

My intent was if I did the, to do a small amount perhaps 5 to 10 and see where they went.
Thanks for the reply.

 

[fredtruck]

I like hand-painted pots. They add a dimension to the otherwise plain coloring done for most pots that are larger. It's important to remember that the fashion for browns and grays in containers is an offshoot of the Emperor's decision to plant evergreens around his castle in Tokyo, rather than azaleas and cherries.

Well, okay. I prefer to make my own decisions, and in small bonsai pots, color and hand painting are what I like.