Vin
Imperial Masterpiece
First, we all owe Bill Valavanis and Owen Reich a great big “THANK YOU” for taking the time to evaluate and critique our work. We all very much appreciate it. Being the consummate professionals they are, the challenge was taken seriously and each entry was considered in its entirety. Although this took a great deal of time, it was the right thing to do. Let’s hope they enjoyed the judging as much as we enjoyed the challenge.
For me, this was as a great learning experience and I hope it was for others as well. It was great fun and although I didn’t place I certainly could see why the others did. Everyone; and I mean everyone rose to the challenge and their hard work showed. I thank you all for keeping the comments positive and joining me in fun. Here are the results:
Beginner Group:
1. bonsaiBlake http://i.imgur.com/vr5JBt7.jpg
Creative use of material and well-executed windswept. Not an easy style to pursue regardless of experience level. Quite a bit of foliage was removed at this time of the year; better provide extra winter protection to make certain it lives through the winter. Nice well distributed branches from the top view.
2. Wee http://i.imgur.com/jNxDvJc.jpg
Flow of design solid from stable base to apical deadwood. Nice addition of moss to present a more finished appearance. Great neat wiring.
3. michaelj http://i.imgur.com/rOiPrNA.jpg
Nice way to adapt prostrate material. Secondary trunk may look better as a more vertical element. Nice branch movement suggesting an aged tree.
Intermediate Group:
Results were unanimous for this category.
1. berobinson82 http://i.imgur.com/y03KQas.jpg
Great feeling of age and refinement out the gate through Shari and branch placement. Foliage density well balanced. Not sure the dead trunk area is needed.
2. sorce http://i.imgur.com/sM4MDU4.jpg
Great creation of taper and feeling of age in the trunk. Good branch movement and wiring techniques. Moss helped to present a finished appearance.
3. Kodama16 http://i.imgur.com/AfzHl1k.jpg
Balanced form created through trunk bends. Deadwood doesn't match the design though. Suggest bending to match the rest of the design. Perhaps reducing the length of the dead branch will help unify the design presented.
Advanced Group:
This was more difficult to judge as the intent of each person's entry was strongly felt. The azalea will likely turn out beautifully. Judging was partially based on what the starting material looked like.
1. Dav4 http://i.imgur.com/jIC2oG0.jpg
Great use of young material and solid layout of structure. This is a vigorous cultivar and the new growth must be carefully controlled. Should look lovely with the golden needles next summer.
2. sawgrass http://i.imgur.com/NUDJAVk.jpg
Creative use of material and execution. Not certain if the growth characteristic is suitable for the “weeping” style. Nice neat wiring and addition of moss ground cover.
3. wireme http://i.imgur.com/l1so5qq.jpg
Upper half of design well done. Lower trunk branch placement could be improved by moving some of the branches forward to break up trunk line. This cultivar of spruce is brittle and easily splits. Branches trimmed back quite a bit. Usually spruce is trimmed back to where a bud is noticeable. May not fill out to your desired plan. The lower cascade branch drop is a bit odd and the feeling does not go with the total aesthetic impact of the bonsai.
For me, this was as a great learning experience and I hope it was for others as well. It was great fun and although I didn’t place I certainly could see why the others did. Everyone; and I mean everyone rose to the challenge and their hard work showed. I thank you all for keeping the comments positive and joining me in fun. Here are the results:
Beginner Group:
1. bonsaiBlake http://i.imgur.com/vr5JBt7.jpg
Creative use of material and well-executed windswept. Not an easy style to pursue regardless of experience level. Quite a bit of foliage was removed at this time of the year; better provide extra winter protection to make certain it lives through the winter. Nice well distributed branches from the top view.
2. Wee http://i.imgur.com/jNxDvJc.jpg
Flow of design solid from stable base to apical deadwood. Nice addition of moss to present a more finished appearance. Great neat wiring.
3. michaelj http://i.imgur.com/rOiPrNA.jpg
Nice way to adapt prostrate material. Secondary trunk may look better as a more vertical element. Nice branch movement suggesting an aged tree.
Intermediate Group:
Results were unanimous for this category.
1. berobinson82 http://i.imgur.com/y03KQas.jpg
Great feeling of age and refinement out the gate through Shari and branch placement. Foliage density well balanced. Not sure the dead trunk area is needed.
2. sorce http://i.imgur.com/sM4MDU4.jpg
Great creation of taper and feeling of age in the trunk. Good branch movement and wiring techniques. Moss helped to present a finished appearance.
3. Kodama16 http://i.imgur.com/AfzHl1k.jpg
Balanced form created through trunk bends. Deadwood doesn't match the design though. Suggest bending to match the rest of the design. Perhaps reducing the length of the dead branch will help unify the design presented.
Advanced Group:
This was more difficult to judge as the intent of each person's entry was strongly felt. The azalea will likely turn out beautifully. Judging was partially based on what the starting material looked like.
1. Dav4 http://i.imgur.com/jIC2oG0.jpg
Great use of young material and solid layout of structure. This is a vigorous cultivar and the new growth must be carefully controlled. Should look lovely with the golden needles next summer.
2. sawgrass http://i.imgur.com/NUDJAVk.jpg
Creative use of material and execution. Not certain if the growth characteristic is suitable for the “weeping” style. Nice neat wiring and addition of moss ground cover.
3. wireme http://i.imgur.com/l1so5qq.jpg
Upper half of design well done. Lower trunk branch placement could be improved by moving some of the branches forward to break up trunk line. This cultivar of spruce is brittle and easily splits. Branches trimmed back quite a bit. Usually spruce is trimmed back to where a bud is noticeable. May not fill out to your desired plan. The lower cascade branch drop is a bit odd and the feeling does not go with the total aesthetic impact of the bonsai.
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