What does Bonsai mean to you?

BunjaeKorea

BunjaeKorea

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Staring out into empty space I can only contemplate the changes that the world has gone through since the ancient pine I sit beneath sent out its first root. Pain, joy, war, peace, death and birth. It connects me to the past the present and the future and sets my heart upon pondering deeper more meaningful things such as the sanctity of life and the nature of things as a whole, the course of mankind and the way in which I am going.
This too is the nature of Bonsai, only, I have the ability to take something already clothed in a natural raiment of beauty and modify it into something that I desire. It brings to me a sense of satisfaction that I am privileged so as to use a product of the Creator to fashion a NEW creation of my own. Something living, struggling, surviving (hopefully:p) and being appreciated by those who come after. Bonsai in some ways gives me a deeper connection to the world and calms my troubled soul. It is the intricate ballet, a dance between lie and death on a tiny stage. Maintaining a life-force on its minuscule pedestal.

This is how I understand the meaning and feeling of Bonsai. I look forward to your observations, feelings, or remarks on what bonsai means to you.
 
Here's a quote that really spoke to me a while back. This touches on what bonsai is to me:

"When I am out walking in the forests that blanket the mountains here in this part of the world, my spirit is revived. Being in nature is a multi-sensory experience, with things to see, hear, smell, taste and touch. Out of this experience comes a feeling, and born of this feeling is the desire to communicate its meaning to others. It was for this very purpose that humans invented art, in all its varied forms.

It is only my opinion, but I think bonsai at its roots is an attempt by humans to express to other humans an experience of nature."
(Arthur Joura)

And here's something I wrote that expresses some of what bonsai means to me: https://backcountrybonsai.wordpress.com/2014/11/19/rooted-in-stone/
 
Dan hit that on the head. When I'm hunting for tree's or working in my yard there is something that speaks to my very core. I feel invigorated and full of life. There's something about it that I don't get from any of my other hobbies. Being with my family and outdoors are two of the best things in life for me
 
Being a living piece of artwork, it not only tells a story like a painting would, but is has an ongoing story. So when I look at a tree, I want it to tell a compelling story. Much like a movie where we choose the story lines that are most dramatic, I work on trees that tell a GREAT story. I'm also a firm believer on if a tree tells a believable story, hence the windswept tree that does/doesn't really look plausible. The nature of the living story means redemption, beauty, struggle, and overcoming. A movie in a pot, with the chance to imagine what has made a tree become what it is.
 
Bonsai ,for me, is a great walk in whatever natural setting I may choose whether it be the park ,forest or whatever.
And I feel it is a fantastic way to learn to enjoy the passage of time.:)
 
An amazing challenge.

A recording of time onto art.

An addiction.

A lesson of patience.

A lessening of patience.

A learning experience.

A hunt.

A pain in the neck.

A creative outlet.

And last but not least,

A road to verbal abuse......
More on that later!

Sorce
 
For me it is simply a Visual Treat to observe a Bonsai , Bonsai Landscape, Penjing, Saikei.....

Each one is a Wonderment and Revelation of its creators Artistic senses's...

Chas
 
Dav4 said:
...chicks...
Click to expand...
Yep. In it for the girls.
Really though my whole life has been working with trees. Mainly cutting them down but also worked at a landscape nursery for 3 years and planted trees for the DNR 2 seasons.
Bonsai is kind of a natural extension of my career working with trees. I enjoy it immensely. It now is an opportunity to make friends with like minded people like everyone on this forum.
So you can say bonsai enriched my life. And that means a lot.
 
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