April 26 & 27, 2015 - Classical Bonsai with Jim Gremel - Workshop and Demonstration (1 of 3)

Jim Gremel is a bonsai artist and an achiever.  His trees are universally praised as beautiful and he has thousands of them in various states of progress at his home deep in the redwoods in California.  One of his grafted Shimpaku Juniper bonsai won the top prize in the First National Bonsai Exhibit in New York in 2008.  And Jim is a popular guy.  When his award was announced he received three standing ovations!  His classes and demonstrations are sold out wherever he is, whether it is in the West or in the South.  From New York to California to Tennessee, when Jim Gremel speaks, people listen.

Jim Gremel was chosen for the PSBA artist series because he has the ability to create a bonsai that transports the viewer to a different time and place.  His technical knowledge is shared easily with a teaching style that is direct and fun.  His depth of knowledge and achievement is impressive.  He is prolific.  He creates bonsai trees “from scratch” which means he grafts a bonsai into existence.  He is a potter and creates pots that are collected for fine bonsai around the country.  Jim is well known for his copper bonsai wire annealing process.  Artists who use it claim it is perfect; soft as butter, and people line up for it with cash in hand.

Gremel creates bonsai in the Japanese Classical style, but his teaching method is American.  He has studied, researched, and produced some of the finest trees in America.  He is “no holds barred”.  No secrets here.  Whatever level you have achieved in your bonsai journey, Jim Gremel will have an impact on your knowledge base. How much impact will depend on your investment.

The first in the series of three workshops was held at Bonsai NW on April 26.  In keeping with the investment strategy of the artist series, those who signed up committed to all three workshops.  It is an opportunity to experience a transformation (for you and the tree) working on a tree over a year’s time with a classical bonsai master at your side.  It is a small and intimate workshop.  Workshop participants should contact Victrinia Ridgeway at theladysabine@gmail.com

Mark your calendar now for Jim Gremel's artist series.  Demonstrations 2 & 3 will be held on June 22, and November 23 at the Center for Urban Horticulture at 7pm.  Workshops 2 & 3 will be held on June 21 and November 22 at Bonsai NW.

 

Mark Epping-Jordan