Mohawk Hudson Bonsai Society
Dedicated to the art of bonsaiArchive for PFM Bonsai
New Open Workshops at PFM Bonsai
Meet club members, wander the nursery and discover the world of bonsai at the latest PFM Bonsai open house weekend, May 18-19. It’s a great way to dip a toe into this fascinating hobby. Bonsai master Pauline Muth will be on hand to answer your questions, and you can view some of her beautiful specimen trees, purchase a nursery tree of your own, peruse the pots, tools, supplies and books, and learn about the benefits of club membership. See you there, Saturday from 10 to 5 and Sunday from 1 to 5.
Spring events
John Romano
While the big April event for many club members is MABS, April 19-21 in Grantville, PA, there are a couple of great home base MHBS activities to look forward to this spring.
On May 12, Ted Matson will come to hold a demo and lecture, followed by a workshop using some great trees the club obtained from a southern nursery. May 25-27 is the PFM Bonsai summer open house weekend, always a fun time. Coming up in June is a John Romano Workshop.
Spring is a great time for beginners to explore bonsai, and guests are always welcome at club meetings.
Group Design Workshop Nov. 18
A Bonsai Accident
If a camel is a horse designed by a committee, wait till you see what MHBS members come up with on November 18 as we split into groups to style trees donated by club members, including azaleas and a small-leafed rhododendron. Trees will be raffled. The fun starts after lunch at PFM Bonsai. Bring wire, tools, lunch and perhaps a goodie to share.
Martin Schmalenburg Does Pines
A packed house last weekend at PFM Bonsai for Martin Schmalenburg’s Pine Immersion Workshop wherein we learned the zen of pines from a recognized master. A thorough lesson on both the practical and spiritual sides of the species was followed by hands-on styling that went the whole day. Much lively discussion and debate. If you weren’t there, you missed it.
Bill Valavanis and trunk/branch splitting
I got a pitch pine from Martin Schmalenburg last weekend and the trunk splits a couple inches up from the base so I might try splitting it down closer to the base in spring, if I don’t lose my nerve. I just found a neat video by Bill Valavanis where he uses this technique to redirect a branch.
Then he shows the tree displayed in a tokonoma. By the way, my guess is that Mr. Schmalenburg would say that tree reads to the left, not the right, and would have placed it on the opposite side of the scroll. Just my guess, based on his comments in last weekend’s pine workshop at PFM Bonsai.
Martin Schmalenberg Pine Immersion Workshop Nov. 4
Fall and winter are the time to work on pines and we know these trees demand a special skill set. Who better to learn from than a guy whose pines keep winning awards? Martin Schmalenberg’s pines win lots of them and during his all-day Pine Immersion Workshop on November 4, he’ll show us how he does it.
The day begins with Marty’s comprehensive lesson on pines, followed by personal consulting and help with your trees. Bring a lunch, tools and wire, and one or more of your pines to work on, or select one from PFM Bonsai or Marty’s workshop trees. The Pine Immersion Workshop is $90 and runs from 9am to 4pm on Sunday, November 4 at PFM Bonsai in Charlton.
To register, call 518 882 1039 or email Pauline Muth at Pauline@pfmbonsai.com. Checks should be made out to Martin Schmalenberg.
Tokonoma Workshop Results
Tokonoma materials
Tokonoma frame
Tokonma assembly
Tokonoma framed
Finished Tokonoma
David Knittle returned last weekend for the long awaited MHBS Tokonoma Workshop at PFM Bonsai. Two days of vigorous sanding, staining, sanding, finishing, sanding, assembly and sanding under David’s careful eye produced seven gorgeous lighted tokonomas suitable for shohin. David then gave a great Sunday afternoon presentation on tool sharpening. Thank you David!
Sharpen Tools with David Knittle September 30
Whoever says David Knittle is not the sharpest tool in the box doesn’t know David Knittle.
On Sunday, September 30, Mr. Knittle, a master wood carver and woodworker, is back to teach us how to keep our tools sharp and well-maintained.
Good bonsai requires good tools. MHBS club members, be sure to bring your tools if you’d like them sharpened after the presentation, and David will sharpen them, fee is $4 per tool. Mark your tools so you know what’s yours.
BYO lunch is at noon and the program starts at 1:00 at PFM Bonsai in Charlton. As always, if you’re not a club member but would like to join us, we welcome guests to the presentation. Just contact Pauline for directions at 518-882-1039.
Design help with Martin Schmalenberg
MARTIN SCHMALENBERG is visiting PFM Bonsai next Saturday, August 25, and has generously offered his design services to club members and visitors on a first come, first served basis between 9am and 5pm that day. His fee is $50 per hour with a one hour minimum, by appointment, and you may bring in several trees for advice.
A bonsai master of 40 years experience, Mr. Schmalenberg has studied in Japan with Hiroyoshi Yamaji and Mikio Oshima and has taught and lectured throughout the United States in a distinctive style based on the art of Japanese masters.
The studio will also host a free open workshop on Saturday so bring trees to work on. Contact Pauline at: Pauline@pfmbonsai.com or call 518-882-1039 to schedule time or to ask questions. All are welcome.
