Say hello to...

[carp]

I've been on hiatus from the forums for a while. Mostly due to life and the complications that it brings. Which isn't always bad. You learn from things and move on. That's what they tell you to do anyhow, and its the only way to keep growing. So do it.

Anyhow, even though there is a select few people who on this forum did not perceive me well at first, I would like to say thank you to those people, and those people who did support my opinions too. Everything can be a learning experience. It's how you chose to move on from things that makes the real difference.

Well down to the real meat and potatoes. I am now working as the Curator of the Jim Smith Bonsai Gallery @ Heathcote Botanical Gardens. I will be signing paperwork and working with Jim Smith himself in just a few days. I just want to note that, yes, I am 22 years old, and yes, I have only been involved with bonsai for about 2.5 years. When you work hard and take the knowledge passed down to you, its amazing what you can do with it. I hope I can inspire more young people who are interested, or even just slightly interested in bonsai, to chase their dream and make it a reality. And to anyone who is already been doing bonsai for longer than I've been out of my diapers, never stop learning either and continue to inspire people like me.

And for the record, I currently am now working 7 days a week so I can support myself and have this opportunity to care for these world class bonsai. I'll be getting back into UCF in the Fall Semester; I am no Hunter S. Thompson

Love yourself and be glad you're alive to live in such a beautiful world!

 

[bonsaiBlake]

Thanks for this post man. I'm only 23 and been envolved with bonsai a short time but i love it immensly. I'm currently trying to convince my girlfriend of 3 years to move away from her hometown(i moved out here when i met her) to my hometown of Vancouver/portland so i can become an apprentice to Ryan Neil. I'm seriously considering a major career shift into the bonsai world.

 

[carp]

Thanks for this post man. I'm only 23 and been envolved with bonsai a short time but i love it immensly. I'm currently trying to convince my girlfriend of 3 years to move away from her hometown(i moved out here when i met her) to my hometown of Vancouver/portland so i can become an apprentice to Ryan Neil. I'm seriously considering a major career shift into the bonsai world.

Mine left me about three weeks ago, partly because of the time I dedicate to bonsai, and we were at 2 and a half years, so be careful lol. You may also want to consider securing an agreement with Ryan Neil before just moving. Think rationally while chasing the dream. You don't want to back track dream chasing. I've happened to meet, befriend and work with some of the most talented artists in Florida.

Don't think you've seen me say it, but I work 6 days a week full time at Pizza Hut making only $8.27/hr after three and a half years to support myself. I moved out of my parents when I was 19 and have been attending UCF while working. The breakup has lead to me temporarily moving back into my parents house and leaving my plants at the house I left. Between the two jobs, working 7 days a week, I will be back out on my own within two months hopefully, and I intend on purchasing my first home.

You've got to put in the work, nothing comes for free, just keep that in mind. But also know, whatever it is you want in life, if you work for it, you can do it. Regardless of your race, age, or class. If you love what it is you're working for, you won't even realize how hard you've worked because of the fun you were having, and that's key. And whenever someone tells you that your dreams are stupid or weird, just remember that anything weird that you've done, someone has done something weirder. Love yourself and love who you are. Strive for what it is you want to achieve in your life. It may not happen for another ten years, but when it does, you'll be there.

 

[bonsaiBlake]

Mine left me about three weeks ago, partly because of the time I dedicate to bonsai, and we were at 2 and a half years, so be careful lol. You may also want to consider securing an agreement with Ryan Neil before just moving. Think rationally while chasing the dream. You don't want to back track dream chasing. I've happened to meet, befriend and work with some of the most talented artists in Florida.

Don't think you've seen me say it, but I work 6 days a week full time at Pizza Hut making only $8.27/hr after three and a half years to support myself. I moved out of my parents when I was 19 and have been attending UCF while working. The breakup has lead to me temporarily moving back into my parents house and leaving my plants at the house I left. Between the two jobs, working 7 days a week, I will be back out on my own within two months hopefully, and I intend on purchasing my first home.

You've got to put in the work, nothing comes for free, just keep that in mind. But also know, whatever it is you want in life, if you work for it, you can do it. Regardless of your race, age, or class. If you love what it is you're working for, you won't even realize how hard you've worked because of the fun you were having, and that's key. And whenever someone tells you that your dreams are stupid or weird, just remember that anything weird that you've done, someone has done something weirder. Love yourself and love who you are. Strive for what it is you want to achieve in your life. It may not happen for another ten years, but when it does, you'll be there.

I'm sorry to hear that man. I moved out spring break of junior year in highschool. Worked my way to graduation and had my first apt one month after I graduated. Since I've lived in my car and truck(6 mo durning the lovely northwest winter). That six mo period was also the longest I've ever gone unemployed. I was a mechanic for a good while till a no insurance ticket caught up with me and suspended my DL. I spent a year as an apprentice tech at this small town shop and when the economy really bottomed out he had to lay me off, but he gave me his good graces and helped find another shop to hire me. Now I work at a Hilton garden inn its definatly not my passion.

Its funny I was a jazz bassist in school, we were even state champs my 10,11,&12th grades and I've always kicked myself in the ass for not going to college and pursuing music. I've never found an art form that combines so many of my passions like bonsai though. I'm worried that if I don't really give this everything I have to try and become a respected bonsai artist I'll never let myself live it down. Its now or never for me and I need to make a decision fast.

P.S. she already gives me crap all the time for how much time I spend with my trees and I only have 9.

 

[Poink88]

Thanks for this post man. I'm only 23 and been envolved with bonsai a short time but i love it immensly. I'm currently trying to convince my girlfriend of 3 years to move away from her hometown(i moved out here when i met her) to my hometown of Vancouver/portland so i can become an apprentice to Ryan Neil. I'm seriously considering a major career shift into the bonsai world.

Becoming an apprentice to Ryan Neil won't be easy and I do not mean the work but to get in. I do not want to sound negative but based on what you've posted, I do not think you are ready yet.

Read his story on how hard he worked (and for how long) before Kimura accepted him.

 

[GrimLore]

Seth - follow your desires, no way to go back in time and start over. You have studied with some great artists already and have a better then normal start. I am older but I am a lucky man in that my Wife has been into this Art for a lot of years and she is Happy that when I started several years ago I went a different route. She has Tropicals, I have everything else. We are able to enjoy our own Specimens and areas and do not touch each others plants because we respect each others work. Hang in there!

Grimmy

 

[bonsaiBlake]

Becoming an apprentice to Ryan Neil won't be easy and I do not mean the work but to get in. I do not want to sound negative but based on what you've posted, I do not think you are ready yet.

Read his story on how hard he worked (and for how long) before Kimura accepted him.

I've done lots of research and study on ryan. And I know I'm not ready but I also know how persistent I am. If he told me no I'd just pitch a tent, literally out side his garden and stay there till he let me in. I'm a bit on the over the top side at times and just because I don't know shit about bonsai yet doesnt mean I can't learn. As an auto tech I spent a year making min wage learning everthingy I could and 1 year later, so 2 years as a tech I was making 22.75/hr. flat rate as lead tech running a shop for the owner. I'm seriously willing to dedicate the next 5-10yrs of my life to learning bonsai.

In one of Ryan's demos online I can't remember which, you hear him kinda wisper under his breath "why do I let these trees dictate my life" when I heard that it clicked. Im already going down that road. All I do is work and take care or my trees literally. I don't go out, no other hobbies, its all I do, I build my schedual around watering my babies and I've never been happier.

 

[Poink88]

Best of luck to you then.

 

[larlamonde]

Go for it man. Your young, my only regret is that I did not start sooner im 53. Once your bitten by the bug that's it. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[KennedyMarx]

Congratulations (again). I've been following your blog and admiring your talent. I was wondering when you were gonna post some more. With your trees at your ex's house probably not a lot. I had a breakup earlier this year and all my plants were basically stuck at my ex's house while I sorted out my living situation. Had some casualties from lack of daily care during the end of winter. Like you though, I kept my head up and things are going better and better for me.

 

[jeanluc83]

I say go for it.

I was on travel for work to Portland. I knew I would have a little down time so I sent him an email to ask if I could visit his garden and he said yes. We talked for about an hour while he watered. He is a great guy to talk to and he has done exactly what you are trying to do.

Good luck.

 

[carp]

Pitching a tent may not be the thing another man wants to see

 

[bonsaiBlake]

I dunno he's got some pretty sexy trees. He might take it as a complement.

 

[bonsaiBlake]

well I've convinced her to take a trip with me sometime in july to go visit Bonsai Mirai. Time to email Ryan and see if I can come check it out.

 

[carp]

Just wanted to share a few trees that I took pictures of. I only snapped a few because I was focused on working with Tom, not just viewing the display.

Ficus Religiosa

Portulicaria Afra and Tom Kehoe (who is about 6'2" for scale)

Portulicaria Afra

Ficus Microcarpa Retusa 'Kinmen'

Ficus Microcarpa Retusa 'Nitida'

 

[bonsaiBlake]

wow man. Ur one lucky duck to get to work with material like that. I'm jealous. I havent even seen an actual legitimate Bonsai in person yet. One of the downfalls of living in the middle of nowhere I suppose.

 

[carp]

wow man. Ur one lucky duck to get to work with material like that. I'm jealous. I havent even seen an actual legitimate Bonsai in person yet. One of the downfalls of living in the middle of nowhere I suppose.

Though it sounds like all fun and games, its not. There is 100 of Jim Smith's bonsai at Heathcote and they are currently in a state of decline from a general lack of care. One thing I noticed is that the trees just aren't getting enough water. These are also all finished bonsai, and publicly viewable all year; they need to be constantly pruned and kept to shape. Meaning, someone can't go in and hard cut the trees the way they would on their own plants at home. Everything has to be done inch by inch.

Also, it didn't happen by luck. I pressed my mentor Jim Van Landingham for over a week to get in contact with Tom Kehoe about this. It's a long story, and delves into the realm of information that doesn't need to be publicly shared. But after that, I was given Tom's number to call him and figure things out; and from there we met and worked. The day after, Tom talked with Jim Smith and Jim Van Landingham both about my ability to do the job. They both wanted it to happen, they believed I had the skills required to take care of this collection, so Tom told me I got the job.

Like I said, I'm going to University of Central Florida to finish my B.S., working 6 days a week at Pizza Hut and now working at Heathcote as well. Someone more qualified could fall into this position by luck. I pressed for this opportunity and am driven to get these trees back into shape.

It was lucky one year ago to have met Jim Van Landingham at my local bonsai club and him to have invited me to Old Florida Bonsai's open house, which I told him I wouldn't be able to make because of the time I worked that day. Over night I decided to wake up and be there by 7am so I could spend a few hours looking at bonsai before work. This would have never happened if I didn't change my mind that night. Then I came back the following day just to talk with Jim about my trees and bring some of what I had to him to work with. We ended up talking about what it was I wanted to do with bonsai, him teaching me some techniques using his shohin as work material and where I was and wanted to be in life.

Believe it or not I still remember the date, April 20, 2013, Adam Lavigne invited me via Tumblr to a demonstration he was doing at Brevard Bonsai Society that day. It was the first time I ever met Adam, and it was the first time I ever made it to my club. That was all luck. Literally two small invitations were the catalyst of a series of events over the next two days that have changed the course of my life in a period of one years time.

Don't let "luck" dictate how you seize opportunities as they present themselves to you. Recognize them and work for what you want, and you'll have anything. There is so much knowledge in this world that is so easily accessible, our generation can do anything. You just gotta want it.

 

[carp]

And because we love pictures. I stole these from Google Images, but here are some of Jim Smith's famous bonsai that are in the collection.

Buttonwood

Brazillian Rain Tree

Jim Smith and Portulicaria Afra

 

[jeanluc83]

Though it sounds like all fun and games, its not. There is 100 of Jim Smith's bonsai at Heathcote and they are currently in a state of decline from a general lack of care. One thing I noticed is that the trees just aren't getting enough water. These are also all finished bonsai, and publicly viewable all year; they need to be constantly pruned and kept to shape. Meaning, someone can't go in and hard cut the trees the way they would on their own plants at home. Everything has to be done inch by inch.

I think this could become a big problem for the future of this collection. The overall quality of the collection is going to decline if it continues to be managed like that. There will always need to be some portion of the collection that is not “show ready”. Most world class bonsai are only “pretty’ during shows. The rest of the time they are grown to improve form.

Perhaps there should be a section set aside for trees in training. In the collections that I’ve been to these trees were the ones that interest me the most because you can see the hand of the artist at work. As it sounds like you will have a hand in shaping the future of this collection this may be something for you to push to establish.

well I've convinced her to take a trip with me sometime in july to go visit Bonsai Mirai. Time to email Ryan and see if I can come check it out.

The worst he will say is no.

If you are going to make a trip of it I would also recommend making it up to Bremerton, WA to visit Elandan garden then swing by the Pacific Rim Collection. They are well worth the trip.

 

[bonsaiBlake]

update

I emailed Ryan and he said I can come visit his garden when I go back to vancouver middle of next month. I finally got the car all fixed so I'm excited.