October 27, 2014 - Dan Robinson: Guest Artist

Known as the Father of American Bonsai,

Dan Robinson gave American bonsai a face and a voice some time ago. He has defined the relationship between bonsai and the natural world. In 1978 at a BCI Convention, Dan transformed a large upright Ponderosa tree into a cascade. It was Dan’s first national presentation. It was bold and prophetic. A crack in the walls of traditional bonsai was opened and for many people American bonsai was formed then and there. Frank Okimura, who watched Dan work and who represented one of the most important Japanese bonsai collections in the country, called Dan "the Picasso of Bonsai".

The National Forest Service purchased one of Dan’s collected pines and gave it to America in 1978. It was presented during the 100th anniversary of the Forest Service as the National Bonsai Tree. Dan travels the world helping others develop their own vision of bonsai. Dan is credited with the development of a root enhancing technique now used by collectors around the world. He introduced power tools into the bonsai creation arena. His article entitled "The Aging Process" clarified design implicit during ascending stages in trees. His treatise "Focal Point Bonsai Design", challenged the perpetuation of the one-two-three-triangle design concept and has been published in Italian, English and French bonsai publications.

Dan is the founder of Elandan Gardens, a six acre waterfront bonsai garden near Bremerton, Washington. Created in 1994, it serves as inspiration for many bonsai enthusiasts. The garden hosts about 300 of Robinson’s bonsai trees, in a wild and naturalistic backdrop befitting the amazing trees collected and created by Dan.

The exquisite book "Gnarly Branches, Ancient Trees" was written by Will Hiltz in 2010. It is a biographical and intimate presentation of Robinson’s knowledge and experience using wild trees. It stresses Dan’s purpose in working with bonsai the way he does. Dan is exciting to be around because he sees things differently. His foundation is in nature and it is that connection that draws people to him.

At the October PSBA meeting, Dan worked on a giant, weeping red pine on which he had already carved the dead wood. His demonstration focused on wiring and foliage design around the 7-inch-diameter trunk. While the carving on the trunk provides the focal point, designing and wiring the foliage makes it a bonsai, not just a beautiful tree in a pot. Dan showed how he creates dramatic effects with foliage and shared his unique view of the art of bonsai.