Mark Cooper has kindly shared his excellent photos of Shohin (20 cm / 8 inch high), Kifu (around 25-35cm / 10-14 inches) and then some Chuhin (maximum 45cm / 18 inch), shown at Noelanders Trophy 2012, in Belgium. All photos … Continue reading
Trying a new modern way using a scroll painting done by a western art painter A.A. Sanvig (www.aasanvig.com).
For a long time it has been discussed how we can adapt the traditional Japanese way of bonsai in the west, just not copying what already done. My own approach has always been to respect the Japanese foundation on which the bonsai culture is based. Without understanding the basics and the heritage we will not be able to adapt the art I believe. Many attempts have been made (and still is) transforming the traditional Japanese style into something more western art (or artificial?) styled displays.
I want to bring a new style of scroll painting to attention. Because I rest on the traditional Japanese way of displaying bonsai, this doesn’t mean I have to use Japanese paintings for the scrolls all the time, although I appreciate these paintings. But I thought a modern western painter could bring in some new refreshing styles of scroll painting, adapting the Japanese traditional scroll painting translated into a western artist mindset.
The task was to take offspring in the original scroll paintings, with simplicity and simple colours if not black and grey. What arrived was a simple but modern expression, now waiting to be used for a spring display some months ahead. I really look forward to see how well this will work in a bonsai display.
Further paintings will be produced this winter, also for Shohin three pieces displays.
Painted by artist Ann-lisbeth Albek Sanvig, 2011.
Summer is not allways the best time to display shohin. This time of the year many trees are leaf trimmed or in other ways not showing the full beauty, missing flowering and colours of the fruits not developed full yet. It is possible though to add this late summer feeling by the colours of fresh foliage, the dark green leaves of matured leaves i.e.
Because I had a task where I needed to set up some displays, I could as well also practise trying to capture the feeling of the late summer time, although my trees are not all at their fullest potential at this time of year. Many are trimmed and prepared for autumn peak.
