Our January Meeting with Michael Hagedorn on Tuesday the 19th

Michael Hagedorn will be our virtual guest artist in January. Please note that his presentation will be on Tuesday, January 19th. 

Michaels website is Crataegus.com

Michael Hagedorn’s bonsai work bridges tradition and innovative design. He apprenticed with bonsai master Shinji Suzuki in Obuse, Japan from 2003-2006, and authored the apprenticeship memoir ‘Post-Dated: The Schooling of an Irreverent Bonsai Monk’ and the offbeat educational book ‘Bonsai Heresy: 56 Myths Exposed Using Science & Tradition’. Formerly a potter, Michael is the Bonsai Consultant for the Portland Japanese Garden, teaches classes to international students at his garden Crataegus Bonsai, and blogs weekly at www.crataegus.com.

Read Michael’s Artist Statement on the Philosophy page.

a few other tidbits:

—Michael was a painter and sculptor for years, has an MFA from The New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, and made bonsai containers in the 1990’s under the name ‘Crataegus Bonsai Containers’

—prior to his apprenticeship abroad, Michael studied with sensei Boon Manakitivipart from 2000-2003

—creative influences include the ideals and intentions behind the Unknown Craftsman, the sculpture of Jean-Pierre Larocque, the bonsai of Shinji Suzuki, the writing of Thoreau and Jean Giono, the mixed forests of the Northeastern and Northwestern USA, and certain rascally poets like Hafiz and Billy Collins

—work as an apprentice in Japan earned master Shinji Suzuki several major awards (Kokufu and Prime Minister), as well as client awards in the Artisan’s Cup and the National Show; privately a Mountain Hemlock was awarded ‘Best Evergreen’ at the 2016 National Show

Michael will be presenting his new book, Bonsai Heresy. The book can be purchased from Stone Lantern here: https://stonelantern.com/products/bonsai-heresy?_pos=1&_sid=5d196333a&_ss=r