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By Carl Quisenberry
We are privileged to have Marc Noelanders, for a workshop, at this months regular club meeting. I have been looking forward to his return, since watching him work at the New Braunfels convention. Unfortunately, I must be out of town, on the fourteenth, and stand little chance of getting back for the workshop.Marc is a native of Belgium, who has studied extensively with noted Japanese artists, including Masahiko Kimura. He is an accomplished artist and author, who is well known for his skillful bonsai technique and unique style. He has been recognized by many, including John Naka, for his comprehensive knowledge of the trees he works with and for his ability to capture perfection and yet maintain the ruggedness of his subject. He has taught in Great Britain, throughout Europe, Russia, Canada, and the United States.
The pictures from the Members’s Workshop, are before and after views of the members working with visiting artist, Yvonne Padilla, on their trees and after styling. She was very comfortable to work with and every tree came out looking good. Her cascade, lecture demo, was most enjoyable. Not many artist do demonstrations on cascades. Now, maybe more members will give one a try.
I was unable to attend Elaine White’s workshop on tropicals, due to my work schedule. I was told the class was excellent. We are very fortunate to have so many great artist and teachers willing to give their time and expertise to our club. Thank you Elaine.
Many of us have family and friends in New Orleans, Gulfport, Hattisburg, Waveland, Biloxi and other places along the Louisiana, Mississippi gulf coast. Our prayers are with them as they face the daunting challenge of rebuilding their lives, homes and jobs.
A.B.S. Monthly Meeting
Zilker garden Center
7:00 PM Meeting Begins
Program: Marc Noelanders workshop
Refreshments:
Candy Hansen and Eileen Urschel
A.B.S. Board Meeting
Zilker Garden Center 7:00 PM
A.B.S. Members Workshop
Zilker Garden Center 7:30 PM
Program: Bunjin workshop
Instructor: Mike Hanson
By Jim Trahan
This month we have world renowned artist Marc Noelanders. Again, there are still openings for this workshop! This is an unbelievable opportunity to have a club workshop with an artist of this caliber. We are only able to offer this because of a substantial contribution from LSBF. The price is $40 per person-- less than a tenth of what this workshop would normally cost. If you don't have a tree that you feel is worth bringing to this workshop, visit one of our local vendors and get a tree that is. I have visited all of the local vendors within the past month and can assure you that there is an abundant amount of quality rough stock available. The money saved by the subsidized workshop can be placed towards purchasing one of these gems in the rough.For those unfamiliar with Marc's work, I would describe his work as being strongly grounded in universal design principles. These are principles that one can apply to bonsai, photography, painting, ikebana, architecture, tokonoma, sculpture, ad infinitum. Much of the genius of his work is that we can see a harmonious union of these principles, yet have a single feature echoed over and again throughout the tree... just as a musical phrase is echoed throughout a symphony. Many of his trees have an anthropomorphic quality that we intuitively find appealing. However, Marc is not unapproachable. His ability to create such beautiful works of art is balanced by his extraordinary gift for teaching. Please do not miss out on this extraordinary opportunity to have a workshop with this world-class artist.
To make time for the workshop, the September 14th meeting will begin at 7:00 PM. Mike Hansen will lead a bunjin workshop for our September 28th Study Group. This workshop has already been filled, but members are encouraged to come, watch, and learn. Participants will need tools, wire, and a willingness to abandon typical bonsai forms. We will be working on Procumbens Juniper, so gloves may be a welcome addition to your tool kit for this workshop.
Finally, I would like to add that the board has been discussing a change to the club auction on November 9th. This is the biggest club booster of the year. Over the past few years the quality of material that has been donated has declined. As a result, the earnings from the auction have declined as well. In response, we voted to allow members to donate specimen trees and split the closing bid 80/20. The donating owner will establish a reserve and an opening bid. Eighty percent of the closing bid will go to the donating owner. Our hope is that by bringing in higher quality material we can encourage members to get more excited about participating in the auction and in the end provide a better club for you. More money in the treasury means better programs for you. If you have questions or comments about this process, please e-mail me at malhomme@austin.rr.com. I will compile your comments and present them at the next board meeting.
by Charlotte Cranberg
The August meeting was called to order at 7:05 PM at the Austin Area Garden Center by President Carl Quisenberry. Present were Pat Ware, Joey McCoy, Jim Trahan, and Charlotte Cranberg. Treasurer, Pat Ware reported a profit of $117.75 on the May Bonsai Show. Our income over expenses for the year to date was $795.41. There are only two openings left for the Mark Noelanders workshop at the regular meeting in September. It was suggested that we remind members to start looking for good stock or bonsai for the auction in November. Jim Trahan moved that we propose to the membership that we let people put a minimum price on nicer trees and that the sale price be divided between the club and the owner. The vote carried. Jim will work out the percentage and other details to be presented to the club at the October meeting for their approval. Kathy Shaner’s fee has gone up $50 to $300 and we will pay part of her travel cost. The Garden Council asked each club to select a member who has volunteered a lot to be honored at a function in September. The board chose Charlotte Cranberg. The 2008 Convention will be discussed at a later date. The meeting adjourned at 8:20 PM.