Mohawk Hudson Bonsai Society
Dedicated to the art of bonsaiArchive for Design
2020 Happenings
The events are tentative but MHBS members have these things and guests to look for in 2020:
- Tree insect pests and diseases
- Finding the tree within with Martin Schmalenberg
- Forest and root over rock plantings
- Kathy Shaner and bonsai display
- Air layering and shohin with Frank Mihalic
- Jim Doyle and pines
- A Mark Arpag workshop
- Rock collecting in the river
- Turntable building
- Pottery making
- Choosing the right pot for your bonsai
- And don’t forget the 2020 US National Exhibition
It’s going to be a great 2020. Enjoy your holidays and a Happy New Year!
The Return of Young Choe
Some MHBS club members were lucky enough to create a kusamomo last year under the guiding hand of Young Choe. If you weren’t among them, or even if you were, you’ve got another chance. Young returns on Sunday, June 9, for an all-day workshop beginning at 9:00 AM, prior to the monthly MHBS club meeting at noon. In the morning we will create calligraphy, and in the afternoon we will again build a kusamono with Young Choe.
The all-day workshop is only $35 and a few spots remain. Register with Pauline at pfm bonsai. Our last Young Choe event was sold out so don’t delay. Bring tools and a deepish bonsai container for your kusamono. Everything else is provided. Don’t forget something for the pot luck lunch.
Upcoming Bonsai Events
Upcoming events at MHBS include:
June 9: Young Choe and Kusomono
July 28: Martin Schmalenberg and Suseiki
September 21-22: MHBS Annual Club Show
October 20: Fertilizing and Winter Care of Bonsai
November 24: Jim Doyle and Pines
Bonsai on the Rocks
Club members, create your own bonsai rock planting on Sunday morning, May 19th beginning at 9:00 AM at pfm bonsai in West Charlton, with guidance from Pauline Muth and Dave Hodgetts. All you need is a tree (or trees), a suitable rock with pockets for soil and drainage (both trees and a few rocks are available at pfm bonsai), plus tools, wire, muck, moss and soil. Pot luck lunch at noon so bring food to share. There is no fee for the workshop and materials needed to fasten your trees on the rock will be available at cost. There’s still time to register by email: pauline@pfmbonsai.com.
Mark Arpag Visits MHBS
Mark Arpag’s recent visit to MHBS included a bring-your-own workshop and a lecture and demo on shohin material. Both were well-attended and here are some photos.
Suthin Sukosolvisit Workshop Saturday November 17
On Saturday, November 17, Suthin Sukosolvisit will host a bring-your-own workshop at pfm bonsai in West Charlton, the home of MHBS. There are still a few openings in the workshop and this event is open to sister clubs so sign up while there’s still room. The workshop is Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM and only three spots are open. The fee is $100 cash for the workshop.
You may also wish to order in dinner from the Charlton Tavern with Suthin that evening. We will eat in the studio where we can actually have a conversation over dinner. BYO wine or other drink. Register by phone at 518-882-1039 or email pauline@pfmbonsai.com immediately. Bring tools, wire and tree(s). Please bring cash for dinner payment also.
On Sunday, Suthin will do a refinement demo on material he is bringing. The result will be raffled among MHBS club members. BYO and share lunch at noon, followed by the demo.
Born in Thailand, Suthin has extensive experience with tropical bonsai. His expertise also includes Japanese maple, Juniper, Azalea, Black Pine and many other species. Suthin has won many National Bonsai Awards in Thailand and the United States. He lectures all around the world and at some of the most important bonsai conventions in the United States. Suthin’s bonsai are famed for their proportion, refinement and detail.
July and August with MHBS
On July 22nd, MHBS does accent plants with guest artist Young Choe. Great timing for our club show on August 25th and 26th. Be sure to sign up. Young will not be bringing any materials for her lesson so gather together containers and plants for the meeting.
On July 29, the club visits Martin Schmalenberg’s studio in New Jersey. If you haven’t signed up for the car caravan yet, do it quickly and plan on bringing a picnic lunch to share. Martin will have some trees for sale.
On August 25 and 26, MHBS will celebrate its 50th Anniversary with a club show at pfm bonsai in West Charlton (note the change of venue). All are welcome for displays, material, free advice and workshops, including a “create your own bonsai” workshop. Club members, start prepping your show trees.
And mark your calendar for the U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition, September 8 and 9 in Rochester, NY. Not to be missed!
NEW June Club Events
The planned June collecting trip has been postponed to a future date, so here’s a late entry for June.
On Sunday, June 24, at 12:00 noon, the Mohawk Hudson Bonsai Society will host a demonstration and lesson
on bonsai techniques to develop great bonsai. Pauline will demonstrate a number of techniques that will help you develop your trees over time, and one of the demo trees will be raffled. The demonstration and lesson will start after lunch and a brief meeting. Club members, please bring something to contribute for the lunch.
We’ll also hold a Club Garage Sale and Exchange—a great opportunity to obtain, swap or sell trees, pots, tools, whatever shows up. Bring your extra trees and pots for the club garage sale to sell and/or exchange . We’ll set up tables in the parking area for this and if you have things to bring you may come early to set up. Email pauline@pfmbonsai.com if you will be selling items.
Preview: In July, we’ll do accent plants with guest artist Young Choe on the 22nd. Young will not be bringing any materials for her lesson so gather together containers and plants for the meeting.
Then on July 29, the club will visit Martin Schmalenberg’s studio in NJ. We will do sign ups for this car caravan at the June meeting. Check your calendars now. Martin will have some of his trees for sale. Plan on bringing a picnic lunch to share.
And on August 25, it’s a special one day bonsai show at Proctors Theatre in Schectady. All are welcome!
Think Small
Fans of shohin displays and brush painting will enjoy a pair of upcoming events at MHBS, including a shohin display workshop with Pauline and Dorothy on January 28, and brush painting with guest artist Linda Schultz on February 25. Both events will be held at pfm bonsai in West Charlton and guests are more than welcome. Club members, remember to bring your shohin trees on January 28.
Miliea Chiem Rocks Bonsai and Other News
Guest Miliea Chiem seeks negative space in her demo tree at MHBS’s September club meeting. Ms. Chiem, a student of Colin Lewis, hosted a workshop as well and helped select club trees for the upcoming MABS event.
In coming months, MHBS is looking forward to brush painting with guest artist Linda Schultz in February, a March visit from Mark Arpag with bonsai material, an April event with guest artist Tony Tickle from England. Plus Young Choe, bench making, rock plantings and more. Download the latest MHBS TWIG newsletter here.
Mohawk Hudson Bonsai Society 