How does one "employ" a master stylist to help take your trees to the "next level".

[Mayank]

Covid has resulted in literally all bonsai club activities being put on hold and minimal contact with any other bonsai people and/or visiting masters means my son and I have been just lumbering along on our own. No man is an island and I really would love to know if there is any possibility that one can take a select few trees and say, drive to a well-established master to have them style, advise, etc. @MACH5 @Adair M etc have mentioned people like Mauro, Boon, Bjorn etc helping them with certain trees and it got me wondering. How does one go about setting that up? I have no personal relation with any such masters. Mauro was going to be in Michigan for last years all-state show and I had signed up for a class with him and Todd Schafer was going to judge our local show and I was going to have him look at a few trees also. I was SUPER excited and of course, it didn't happen! Any suggestions?

 

[Shibui]

If you have contact details you can make direct contact with someone you think may be able to help. Explain your situation and what you want clearly so they understand what you need. Some will be happy to help. Most will require a fee for service. A few may not have time or may not be comfortable with people they do not know coming to their home if not running a public operation. You will not know until you ask.

If they are able to help they should be able to give you a rough idea of the costs, bearing in mind that after actually seeing a tree it may take more or less time than anticipated just from looking at a photo.

Most demonstrators are also open to private work for individual clients when they visit an area but it would pay to make arrangements early to make sure they have some spare time before going home or to the next appointment.

 

[sorce]

Call @Owen Reich!

Sorce

 

[Adair M]

Covid has resulted in literally all bonsai club activities being put on hold and minimal contact with any other bonsai people and/or visiting masters means my son and I have been just lumbering along on our own. No man is an island and I really would love to know if there is any possibility that one can take a select few trees and say, drive to a well-established master to have them style, advise, etc. @MACH5 @Adair M etc have mentioned people like Mauro, Boon, Bjorn etc helping them with certain trees and it got me wondering. How does one go about setting that up? I have no personal relation with any such masters. Mauro was going to be in Michigan for last years all-state show and I had signed up for a class with him and Todd Schafer was going to judge our local show and I was going to have him look at a few trees also. I was SUPER excited and of course, it didn't happen! Any suggestions?

I am a long time student of Boon. I have attended his Intensive classes for many years. Most of the Bonsai Masters have to do some amount of traveling in order to make a living. For this they are paid a daily fee.

Generally speaking, if you want someone to visit your garden, be prepared to pay all travel, lodging, and meal costs in addition to their daily fee. The fees may be more if there are a number of participants. Typically, the total fee is higher for a workshop of 6 people, for example, than a one on one session.

Be prepared to have workstations, soils, pots, lighting, wire, etc. The Nasters usually bring their own tools, but they also expect you to have your own tools and supplies.

 

[leatherback]

easiest to find people that have a workshop where they do courses.

I spent at least 4 weekends a year with a experienced bonsai artist at his museum/store/workshop. Looked them up. Visited. Had a chat. We shared a vision and I signed up for his classes. Meanwhile I can show up when I want (And with Corona.. after notifying them) and work on their stock and receive training.

 

[Vance Wood]

Covid has resulted in literally all bonsai club activities being put on hold and minimal contact with any other bonsai people and/or visiting masters means my son and I have been just lumbering along on our own. No man is an island and I really would love to know if there is any possibility that one can take a select few trees and say, drive to a well-established master to have them style, advise, etc. @MACH5 @Adair M etc have mentioned people like Mauro, Boon, Bjorn etc helping them with certain trees and it got me wondering. How does one go about setting that up? I have no personal relation with any such masters. Mauro was going to be in Michigan for last years all-state show and I had signed up for a class with him and Todd Schafer was going to judge our local show and I was going to have him look at a few trees also. I was SUPER excited and of course, it didn't happen! Any suggestions?

I would suiggest a dialogue with Bjorn Borjholm in Tennissee, he is the only person in this corner of the univese that fits that description.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

I would suiggest a dialogue with Bjorn Borjholm in Tennissee, he is the only person in this corner of the univese that fits that description.

I have been fortunate to have worked with Bjorn for 7 years. He is not traveling or having clients right now. I have sent trees to him to work on, and he charges a day rate for the work, but that’s it.

 

[Mayank]

Call @Owen Reich!

Sorce

Thanks for the recommendation. Had never heard of him. I will look him up! Where is he located?

 

[Mayank]

I am a long time student of Boon. I have attended his Intensive classes for many years. Most of the Bonsai Masters have to do some amount of traveling in order to make a living. For this they are paid a daily fee.

Generally speaking, if you want someone to visit your garden, be prepared to pay all travel, lodging, and meal costs in addition to their daily fee. The fees may be more if there are a number of participants. Typically, the total fee is higher for a workshop of 6 people, for example, than a one on one session.

Be prepared to have workstations, soils, pots, lighting, wire, etc. The Nasters usually bring their own tools, but they also expect you to have your own tools and supplies.

Thanks for the info! I was looking to take my trees to the expert if possible so that they wouldn't have to travel just for me. Where is Boon located? Do you drive there with some of your trees to have him look at them?

 

[Mayank]

I would suiggest a dialogue with Bjorn Borjholm in Tennissee, he is the only person in this corner of the univese that fits that description.

I have been trying to find a phone number but nothing so far. Tried emailing but nothing.

 

[Mayank]

I have been fortunate to have worked with Bjorn for 7 years. He is not traveling or having clients right now. I have sent trees to him to work on, and he charges a day rate for the work, but that’s it.

I would love to take my trees to him to work on if his day rate is not super crazy. The only issue is that I have no way of contacting him! Is that something you can help me with Brian?

 

[JudyB]

Thanks for the recommendation. Had never heard of him. I will look him up! Where is he located?

I've been working with him for a long time. He's in transition right now, but will land in Nashville at some point. He had a fire at his studio this past year, and was lucky to get out alive... At any rate, he may do more when he gets sorted, but for now is only doing very limited traveling.

 

[sorce]

Where is he located?

Here! And Tennessee too I reckon.

You haven't heard of him!

That humility to me is the added value that helps make the decision. Of course, I prefer that, some folks need a person that will come in and have their way with the lot. I got a feeling that is kinda "old school BS" at this point.

Sorce

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

I would love to take my trees to him to work on if his day rate is not super crazy. The only issue is that I have no way of contacting him! Is that something you can help me with Brian?

His rate is reasonable. You might try to reach him through Facebook...?

 

[Adair M]

Thanks for the info! I was looking to take my trees to the expert if possible so that they wouldn't have to travel just for me. Where is Boon located? Do you drive there with some of your trees to have him look at them?

Boon is in California. No, I don’t take my trees there. California restricts taking plant material into California.

You can contact Boon thru his website: www.bonsaiboon.com.

The information I gave you about working with the traveling Masters applies to about all of them who travel. Some don’t. Most would prefer not to!

I go to Boon’s 3 or 4 times a year to study with him at his place. Once a year, he comes to my place.

 

[Mayank]

Boon is in California. No, I don’t take my trees there. California restricts taking plant material into California.

You can contact Boon thru his website: www.bonsaiboon.com.

The information I gave you about working with the traveling Masters applies to about all of them who travel. Some don’t. Most would prefer not to!

I go to Boon’s 3 or 4 times a year to study with him at his place. Once a year, he comes to my place.

I see. Thanks.

 

[Mayank]

His rate is reasonable. You might try to reach him through Facebook...?

OK. I tried reaching him through a form on Eisei-en but no joy so far (maybe he's just backed up). I'll try Facebook next. I know my son was trying to reach him through facebk to get more info about his intensive training course (3 x a year x 3 years) but has not heard back for at least over a week. Wasn't sure if his programme is on hold due to Covid?

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Wasn't sure if his programme is on hold due to Covid?

it is on hold.

 

[BonsaiDTLA]

OK. I tried reaching him through a form on Eisei-en but no joy so far (maybe he's just backed up). I'll try Facebook next. I know my son was trying to reach him through facebk to get more info about his intensive training course (3 x a year x 3 years) but has not heard back for at least over a week. Wasn't sure if his programme is on hold due to Covid?

I've used the form and he definitely receives it, since that time I know he responded to me shortly afterwards. Super nice guy, hope it works out for you!

 

[River's Edge]

Covid has resulted in literally all bonsai club activities being put on hold and minimal contact with any other bonsai people and/or visiting masters means my son and I have been just lumbering along on our own. No man is an island and I really would love to know if there is any possibility that one can take a select few trees and say, drive to a well-established master to have them style, advise, etc. @MACH5 @Adair M etc have mentioned people like Mauro, Boon, Bjorn etc helping them with certain trees and it got me wondering. How does one go about setting that up? I have no personal relation with any such masters. Mauro was going to be in Michigan for last years all-state show and I had signed up for a class with him and Todd Schafer was going to judge our local show and I was going to have him look at a few trees also. I was SUPER excited and of course, it didn't happen! Any suggestions?

One name I would suggest is Tyler Sherrod, Dogwood Studio. I know he travels and works on clients trees. Apprenticed with Shinji Suzuki, studied with Boon prior, always found him to be a positive person to work with and know. I believe he is based out of North Carolina.