How did you get started For sure my generation were fascinated with the karate kid, and I know speaking with many friends they too have been influenced by this movie. It was a good actually quite accurate representation of the art of Bonsai. However, it was back in 1983 when I was approached by one of my neighbours who invited me to have a look at his garden. I saw that he collected trees from the wild, just by pulling them out of the ground and when he got home, sticking them in a bucket or a washing up bowl. He did that fateful thing… he gave me a small oak tree, which I promptly wired, repotted, and it died. He then suggested that I visit a young chap called nick at a bonsai nursery near Preston, Salmsbury Bonsai. I spent £100 on a white pine and a few small saplings and really, this was the start of things for me. I guess the point where I realised that Bonsai was something that I particularly wanted to get involved with was when I visited the World Convention in Birmingham, England in 1991. This was a defining moment for me. I realised that all of the ‘Bonsai’ that I had in my garden were dreadful. I gave them away at our local club and realised that I had to go into the wild and find good material by which I could start a collection.
Tony collecting Yamadori
How did you learn about bonsai? In the early days there was very little information available so you had to join a club if you wanted to learn. There was no Internet, no YouTube and no social media. After the show in Birmingham in 1991 I was determined to find the best teachers I possibly could. I had two books, one by Peter Chan, the other Dan Barton. I took a workshop at Peter Chan's nursery with Dan Barton. Over the next few years I would attend Dan’s house. I would teach him how to use the computer and in particular Photoshop, and Dan would teach me Bonsai. I’ve been fortunate enough to work with some of the top artists in the world, including Kanako, Kawabe, Hotsumi and have shared the stage with Kimura a few times, being that close to him you learn a lot!
What is the most important things you learned from them? Technique of course but more than that, patience… there is no such thing as ‘Instant’ bonsai, impatience has killed more bonsai in training than anything else. If you want to create world class bonsai you need to start with good material, material that has promise and typically that is yamadori. There is a lot of satisfaction in creating bonsai from seed and cuttings but you need to start early. If that’s the route you wish to go down then shohin is the way to go. I have over 300 ‘young’ trees in training for shohin including Hawthorn, Scots pine, juniper, larch and Yew all from cuttings or two year old nursery stock.
Do you belong to a bonsai club? I have not been a member of a club for over 25 years, I prefer to work in small study groups that share the same passion, drive and enthusiasm. The best clubs in the UK are those that embrace learning by inviting professional artists, attend shows and hold their own shows. The club scene is a lot healthier now than it was when I started 40 years ago. Your thoughts on bonsai or dreams? If you work in isolation and only access information from the internet and never work with people with more experience with you, if you never visit shows, how can you expect to create trees worthy of showing? Perhaps you are happy not to compare your trees with others and that’s OK but I have always strived to be the best I can be in whatever I pursue. I am travelling for bonsai more now than ever and it's surprising how advanced and how behind some countries are. Those countries that have National and International shows are the ones that are driving excellence in bonsai forward. This is why the UK must have big shows, ExpoBonsai and Bonsai Live are critical if we are to continue as a nation creating amazing trees.
Bonsai Europa 2017 organised by Tony
Do you consider bonsai to be an art form? Art is generally understood to be the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power, I would say that bonsai does fit comfortably into this definition except where practitioners do not use their imagination. Anything can be ‘art’, what elevates it is how it is curated and how the viewer interprets what is presented. And here we perhaps have one answer to the question. There is a vast difference between a tree on a bench in your garden (horticulture) and the same tree displayed with consideration and imagination in an exhibition (art).
Pine before and after
Why do you practise bonsai? The process of growing bonsai demands patience, attention to detail, and a connection with nature. In dealing with life’s challenges, these requirements can act as a form of structured therapy. The act of nurturing a bonsai tree instils a sense of purpose, providing a reason to care for and invest time in something outside of oneself. This redirection of focus can help break the cycle of negative thoughts and emotions, offering a respite from the turmoil within.
Do you have a favourite tree species or size tree? I have always favoured native European trees, simply because I know that they will thrive in my garden. Hawthorn and Yew are top of my list, closely followed by Blackthorn. I have tried some southern Mediterranean species such as Olive and Pistachio, they grow but do not thrive, despite global warming!
Do you have a favourite Potter? The UK has a long history of craft pottery and potters so it’s no surprise that we have some of the best bonsai potters here in the UK. Derek Aspinall was a good friend and sadly missed, Gordon Duffetts early work, The Triskele Group are driving innovation forward.
What mistakes have you made? Impatience, working on trees at the wrong time, not making notes!
Can you recommend one or two bonsai books? There is only one book I would recommend and its Peter Warren's. Some of the older books in the English language with the exception of Peter Adam's publications are full of mistakes and simply bad practice.
Do you have any future ambitions or goals? Bonsai has taken me all over the world, I hope to finally go to Japan next year. I have been fortunate to exhibit at the biggest shows in Europe and won awards at most of them. I hope to continue to kick ass.
Over the years what has been your favourite bonsai show? The Trophy in Belgium takes some beating. Do you have any other interests or hobbies? I love garden design and have created over 20 gardens in the last 5 years for clients, Photography, singing and cooking. I think that’s enough.