How did you get started? In my early days working for the National Trust maintaining grounds at various stately homes in the south of England I grew to love forestry work and everything about trees. I happened to visit Stowe House in Buckinghamshire in the early 90's and was amazed by the complex of ponds, sunken paths and bridges forming the nineteenth century Japanese Garden. How did you learn about bonsai? For many years I muddled along, collecting material at work from various locations, gaining most of my bonsai knowledge from books by the likes of Harry Tomlinson, David Prescott and Peter Chan. With the onset of the computer my bonsai knowledge increased dramatically, I had access to many online forums and also started buying a wider range of material from online nurseries. I visited my first bonsai show in 2014, this was organised by Chiltern Bonsai Society in Marlow and to this day I still visit this show regularly.
Acer Campestre collected in 2016 in a 70cm pot
Who was your teacher? In 2015 reading a local newspaper I stumbled upon an article about bonsai written by Harry Harrington, this led me to be friending him on Face Book and subsequently he invited me to visit his garden. We got on very well and Harry immediately offered me an apprenticeship and from that point on a bigger bonsai world opened up to me. I must mention one other person who around this time gave me immeasurable advise and support on my bonsai journey, Steve McKee. What is the most important thing you learned from him? The most important thing I have learnt from Harry is to be patient, never rush a tree or do to much at once and most importantly whatever work you are doing, to do it at the right time of the year.
Crataegus Monogyna collect 2018 Erin Pot
Do you belong to a bonsai club? In my early days I did think of joining a club, but my subsequent involvement with Harry has removed that need. Your thoughts on bonsai or dreams? I love the bonsai community and their love of trees and the way this extends to other countries and how inclusive people are whatever their backgrounds. My dream is to see this carry on and to see the standard of bonsai in the UK improve and reach the giddy heights that other European countries have. It is true that bonsai in the UK seems to have stagnated over the last twenty year, but in recent times UK artists using the internet have been pushing the hobby forward. Do you consider bonsai an art form? Yes 100%, all bonsai need to be aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Why do you do bonsai? I would go crazy without it, as a kid I was a tree hugger. The peace and tranquillity that comes from working with trees is immeasurable, big or small.
Prunus Cerisafera collect in 2011 rescued from a large forest felling Sean was working in. Daniel Butler Pot
Do you have a favourite tree species or size tree? I generally like working with big gnarly chunky old trees with plenty of character, especially a favourite of mine is the Hawthorne. Another favourite of mine, is viewing deciduous trees in their winter image, this allows a full appreciation of the branch structure. Do you have a favourite bonsai? Two trees clearly stand out, one is a more recently collected Cherry Plumb which is a joy to watch as it moves through the seasons and the other for very personal sentimental reasons is a Hawthorne collected on the evening of my granddads funeral.
Crataegus Monogyna collect in 2017 Known as 'The Old Soldier' Esther Walsall Ceramics Pot
What mistakes have you made? My mistakes over the years have been many, but its only by learning from these mistakes does one move forward in a positive direction. Have you experienced bonsai abroad? Unfortunately due to family and work commitments I have found myself with very little time or chance to travel and experience bonsai abroad.
Malus Sylvestris Airlayer 8" from rim of pot. Stone Monkey Pot
Can you recommend one or two bonsai books? Obviously I can and having now worked for many years with Harry I am slightly biased towards him, I can recommend all of his books. Secondly a US book called Principles of Bonsai Design published by David De Groot.7 What is your best achievement? My best personal achievement has been to see my trees appearing in Harry's books and in articles Harry has had published in Bonsai Focus.
Sean on stage with Harry and Syd at the Bonsai Live Event 2022
Do you have any future ambitions or goals? I have always loved collecting trees from the wild and developing them on, I especially enjoy moving them on into other peoples collections and seeing them years later.
Over the years what has been your favourite bonsai show? My first big bonsai show was the Heathrow Bonsai Show which had a very welcoming atmosphere, followed subsequently by the Expo Bonsai UK show and then the show in Bury.
Do you have any other interests or hobbies? A long time ago my first love was Carp fishing, after a long break from this hobby, my interests have been fired up again and I am now just getting back into Carp fishing.