Absolutely! Bjorn’s work is very different than Ryan’s. Both of which are different than Boon’s, which is different than Kinji’s which is different than... well, you get the idea.
How much $$$ is Bjorn worth?
- Thread starter Lazylightningny
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Gustavo Martins
Omono
Well, I suppose I can’t see it then. They all look very similar to me, specially the conifers.
This could be a good contest though. To see how many people actually can identify the author of a certain tree
Ohmy222
Shohin
They are both incredibly awesome. They are also marketable. Production quality, self-promoters, cool back story, and young in terms of bonsai. Talent is understood. I have been to Mirai and hope to take an intensive with Bjorn in the near future since I need that next step and he is relatively close by.
Based on the quality of the nurseries, I would imagine both have secondary funding of some sort. A bank will not give you that kind of money for a bonsai nursery. I have done business development work and the valuation would be too low. Nonetheless, most businesses have outside help. Don't assume they are sole owners. Someone else probably has a stake unless they are relatives or very close friends. Definitely don't assume they are making a lot of profit. I am very happy for them and hope they have continued success. They get to do what they love, travel the world, and do it roughly on their terms. I would take less than I make now to do that.
Based on the quality of the nurseries, I would imagine both have secondary funding of some sort. A bank will not give you that kind of money for a bonsai nursery. I have done business development work and the valuation would be too low. Nonetheless, most businesses have outside help. Don't assume they are sole owners. Someone else probably has a stake unless they are relatives or very close friends. Definitely don't assume they are making a lot of profit. I am very happy for them and hope they have continued success. They get to do what they love, travel the world, and do it roughly on their terms. I would take less than I make now to do that.
Warlock
Shohin
If these guys can make a living from bonsai.. good for them.. "
"Do what you love, and you'll never work a day in your life"
Wayne, Letterkenny
"Do what you love, and you'll never work a day in your life"
Wayne, Letterkenny
BrianBay9
Masterpiece
There was a time when I was unemployed but had some disposable cash, and "invested" a relatively small amount of cash and my labor in a bonsai nursery. Had a good partner, and it was worth it in the sense that it kept me occupied during a down time. But even though the local bonsai community was very active, the nursery just gradually bled money. Most bonsai club people are incredibly cheap. The local clubs always wanted donations for club activities, but found driving 30 - 40 min to the nursery to be too far. Those that did come out bought only starter material, or more irksome, often asked if they could take free cuttings or seeds. The only thing we sold consistently were soil components.
Anyone who can make a go of a bonsai nursery has my admiration.
Anyone who can make a go of a bonsai nursery has my admiration.
Paulpash
Masterpiece
Nigel and Peter are entertainers.
Peter Chan can be incredibly rude and charges far too much for what he produces.
Bjorn is an artist.
Peter Chan can be incredibly rude and charges far too much for what he produces.
Bjorn is an artist.
Maloghurst
Chumono
Ryan is a very good artist but Bjorn styling is more advanced imo and a big reason is he stayed on at Kouka-en Nursery for an additional 3 years after his apprenticeship to style trees. He was specifically there to style some of the top trees in the world. When he is in Japan he still is asked to style trees at Kouka-en Nursery. Which leads me to believe that he is sought after even in Japan. Of course as with all high level art everyone who looks at it is not going to see a difference but there is one.
Lazylightningny
Masterpiece
This is a good point. One I hadn't thought of. Plus, it must take years before a professional bonsai nursery actually sees a profit. I'm no business man, but this is all very fascinating to me.
As for liking or disliking anyone's work, I think 90% of us would be thrilled to have a fourth of the talent and knowledge of Bjorn, Ryan, Boon, Mauro, and all the other top end bonsai professionals. Whether you like their work or not, they each have their own unique vision, and have the ambition and resources to further western bonsai. Here in America, with our vast natural resources and unique species, we have the capability to equal the Japanese in the bonsai world. We're not there yet, but with such young new talent, we're making headway. We're still the apprentice, with Japan as the master, but eventually the apprentice goes off on his own and creates his own unique art.
We're blessed to have quite a few bonsai pros who have made a mark besides Ryan, Bjorn, and Boon: Jim Doyle, Michael Hagedorn, Colin Lewis, Matt Reel, John Romano, Owen Reich, Tyler Sherrod, Suthin Sukosolvisit, Peter Tea, and of course William Valavanis to name some of the better known people. We also have the venerable senior members of our own Bonsai Nut who have advanced the art. In all, I think we're in good hands here in the States.
A tip of the hat to our European brothers also.
And a deep bow to the far east.
Forsoothe!
Imperial Masterpiece
@BryanBay9 "...Most bonsai club people are incredibly cheap."
A wild understatement.
A wild understatement.
You may not know that Hagedorn, Peter Tea, Matt Reel, and Tyler Sherrard were once Boon students, and he arranged for them to be able to study in Japan. Romano started studying with Boon several years ago. Jonas, of BonsaiTonight, is also a long time Boon student.
Lazylightningny
Masterpiece
I knew that fact about Jonas, but not about the others.
Jonas is one of our top professionals who, I believe, did not do a full Japanese internship
sorce
Nonsense Rascal
He's worth a lot more now.
So .....
Let's go kidnap him!
Sorce
So .....
Let's go kidnap him!
Sorce
HorseloverFat
Squarepants with Conkers
Hehe! Imagine how many more “Bjorn Bjorholm”s this thread added to the internet machine via search engines.... like experience points!
Your “Bjorn” has slain the gatekeeper with the Iron long sword.... Level Up!
He deserves it.
shinmai
Chumono
Tyler is a cool guy. I had the privilege of being his host at my home for four days when he was the featured artist at our annual exhibition last year. Very interesting to hear about what life as an apprentice is like.
Arlithrien
Shohin
I said he has a YouTube following comparable to them. I am not speaking on his works. I am talking about him being a driving force for the hobby both due to his exposure via internet/social media and that he will be around for decades to come.
I would have never gotten into Bonsai had it not been for that.
Bonsai Nut
Nuttier than your average Nut
Great response... because I found it insightful, not because he should feel any need to justify himself or his actions
If you have a strong work ethic and an artistic eye, it is amazing what you can do with your own labor. Two weeks ago I was visiting a private nursery out here where the owner's home was landscaped with (among other things) 100 bloodgood Japanese maples that the owner had started as cuttings, and then had left in a field for 20 years before he came back for them. These are the biggest bloodgoods I believe I have ever seen, all over his yard, and they didn't cost him a penny other than his own labor. Now imagine how much that would have cost if you had bought those same Japanese maples from a landscaping firm - assuming you could even find 100 JM that large.
Leo in N E Illinois
The Professor
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Bjorn is a classy guy, he did give everyone the benefit of the doubt, he was insightful in his response. He saw the humor of the situation. Nice response. There are others who come to mind who would not have been as evenly measured in their reply. Bravo.
Matte91
Shohin
In what minute in the video do he give his respons? Thank you.
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