Local potter shares her love of bonsai pots
There is a glimmer of hope as lots of clubs and nurseries begin to plan and announce events coming up. Lots of events have been added to the Upcoming Bonsai Events in this month’s Editor’s Note.
In this edition, we have a very special feature from local bonsai potter Denise Soultanian and another wonderful Trees in the Wild from Jeff Lewis.
By the way, if you want to have anything published in the newsletter, please send it my way by the 15th of each month.🌳
Some moments from the Tree Improvement Program in January. Images courtesy of Lakhsmi Myneni.
Trees In the Wild
By Jeff Lewis
This photo almost didn't happen. I was on a backpacking trip, and wasn't expecting to find any interesting trees. I came anticipating beautiful views and sunsets, and both of those delivered! On my last morning, I woke up in dense fog (and soaked in the morning dew). I attempted to hike above the fog for one more great view, but I couldn't quite get above it. I waited for an hour, but the fog just wouldn't break. Needing to get home for meetings, I put my camera away and started hiking back. The fog remained thick on my hike down, which is uncommon for this area.
A half hour into the hike, not anticipating to find anything, I rounded a corner on the trail and noticed this tree just off to the side, in a field of flowers, with the fog still lingering. The big views and vibrant sunsets were still so special, but this particular scene has stuck with me. Sometimes the best things in life can't be planned. I call it Circulation, and I'm excited to print it for my next show! 🌳
Circulation, by Jeff Lewis
Local Potter Shares her love of bonsai pots
An Interview with Denise Soultanian
We have a very special guest this month. Her name is Denise Soultanian—a local potter here in San Jose. We know how important a good pot is in which to exhibit our trees and we look far and wide for unique pots with character. She has been making pots with her own twist. Denise takes on this art with bold, experimental colors in her contemporary style, while retaining the classical qualities of a traditional bonsai pot. She tells us about her journey and how she plans to innovate the field.
Tung Dao: Denise, thanks for taking your time to do this feature with Midori Bonsai. Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get started making bonsai pots?
Denise Soultanian: I was selling my pottery at my friend’s plant show about a year and a half ago. I brought all my pottery that would work for plants, like planters and cover pots, and also pottery that you might use in your kitchen, such as mugs and plates. A friend walked by my booth and saw a ramen bowl that he really liked. He looked at it and said, “Wow, this glaze would be great for a bonsai pot!” He bought the ramen bowl, and I asked him lots of questions about bonsai.
TD: From ramen bowls to bonsai pots—what a large step! Now that you’re making more bonsai pots, what do you like about bonsai pots, or about making them?
DS: Making bonsai pots is super interesting for me, from the collaborative aspect to the production of the pots.
First, I love that there is a collaborative process to bonsai. A pot is made by one person and then the vision of the pot and tree ensemble is completed by another person. I feel honored that someone would take something that I’ve created and incorporate it into their work. That is amazing. And the bonsai I have seen are so incredibly beautiful.
Second, if you have ever worked with clay, you might know that it can feel great in your hands and creating with it is both exciting and meditative. When I make pots, I never know exactly how they’ll turn out, and I love to let them develop during the process. I start by throwing the pot on the wheel, where it begins to develop a loose personality. At the leather hard stage, I trim away extra clay to define the shape and add details. These detail lines or angle of the feet give the pot further character. When the pot is glazed and comes out of the kiln, it really has its own identity. This process is amazing and can be unpredictable.
TD: A pot really does develop character as it ages, just like a bonsai tree, doesn’t it? Both go through a radical transformation in the hands of the artist—from start to something ready for show. I say that because a tree is only finished if it dies! One could say that the journey of a pot is not finished once it’s out of the kiln; it goes on to take on a life as a pair to many trees.
Tell us, what type of experience do you have in the arts and, specifically, pottery making?
DS: I’ve always been interested in art, especially any kind that involves using natural materials. I studied art in college at Carnegie Mellon. While there I focused on drawing and painting. For years afterwards I continued creating 2-D art as well as teaching a variety of art classes. It took me some experimentation and the serendipitous recommendation of a friend for me to find ceramics in 2017. Once I did, I was hooked.
My kids were young at the time, and I signed them up for ceramics so that we could all experience it together. About 6 months after joining Blossom Hill Crafts in Los Gatos, I began teaching a regular class there for teens. Recently, I also became a member of Higher Fire and have taught there as well. The curriculum for one of my classes included a lesson on making bonsai pots!
TD: I totally agree that an interdisciplinary take on the arts is so important to mastering your own art. I went to a summer arts program many years ago as a pianist, and they had us musicians dance, the dancers would be drawing, artists would make music. The other fields of study strengthen and enhance skills in your own art in unexpected ways.
I want to close out with this question: What type of bonsai pots are you interested in making right now and how are you pushing the boundaries of pot making?
DS: I love both the unglazed and glazed pots. My work is fired in reduction in a gas kiln, which is especially good for bringing out iron spots in clay and creating a warm rusty look to the pots. My unglazed pots are brushed with iron oxide which is then sponged off of the surface. The heavier rusty wash sits in the texture to give the pot more definition and character.
For the glazed pots, I’m a big experimenter. I guess you might say that I’m a risky glazer. Whenever you overlap a glaze, or put it on the pot heavier than is recommended, you run the risk of having the glaze run off of your pot and fusing it to whatever is underneath. I learned from one of my teachers to make a drip plate to place under my work. I have unintentionally fused those plates to many pieces! By doing this, though, it prevents the glaze from sticking to the more valuable kiln shelf. When you take chances with glazing, you also have the chance of beautiful drips, unexpected colors, and a spontaneous look. I like when the lines of the pot are clean and crisp and the glaze catches your eye in a special, unpredictable and even subtle way.
Right now I’m experimenting with different styles of feet, and am working on hand building rectangles. I haven’t figured out yet if I’d like to make press molds like many traditional Japanese potters do, or if I’d like to build my pots all by hand. I'll need to experiment to see what works. Each potter’s hands move a little differently and that’s what makes each potter’s pots unique.
TD: Denise, thank you so much for your time. I hope to see you at one of our bonsai club meetings with your pots! We would love to see them.
DS: Thank you, Tung. Please let me know if you or your group have any questions!
Denise is currently teaching ceramics at Blossom Hill Crafts in Los Gatos. She is also a member at Higher Fire in San Jose and occasionally teaches classes there, too. She lives in San Jose, and by appointment, can show you her pots in person. Here's where you can find Denise's work:
She has an Instagram @denisesoultanian, a good place to see her current work and be notified of Etsy shop updates. Her Etsy shop is called DMSPottery. She sells her work on Facebook's 99 Cent Bonsai page and has a Facebook page called DMS Pottery Bonsai. If you purchase pots through Etsy or 99 Cent Bonsai on Facebook and can pick up, then there is no shipping cost.
Images provided by Denise Soultanian. 🌳
Upcoming Midori Events
Our very own John Thompson be covering all aspects of repotting for this important, timely procedure. For those of you who are new members and have never repotted your bonsai, this will be a must for you.
JT will cover the complete process of getting your tree out of the pot, working with the roots, tying it down and carefully applying the appropriate soil that finishes the full operation. There's much to be learned by all in the club when repotting your trees, don’t overlook the necessary steps that JT will review and demonstrate.
Getting your repotted trees off to a great start during these winter months is key to seeing good vigor and healthy new growth this spring.
Repotting Basics with JT
February 3, 2022 at 7:30-9:30pm
As always, the Third Thursdays at 7:30-9:30pm are our general workshop. Bring in some trees to work on or get feedback. 🌳
UPCOMING NORTHERN CALIFORNIA (AND BEYOND) BONSAI EVENTS
We regret to inform you that the Shohin Seminar 2022 has been postponed until the first week in February 2023. COVID-19 has been of concern to many participants and the sudden surge of the omicron variant here in California has consolidated our feeling that we still need to be extra cautious.
We want to thank you for supporting the Shohin Seminar. Please help us send warm thanks to all the workshop leaders, seminar chairpersons, and vendors.
We will be mailing refunds back to everyone. We ask that you call the Hotel in Santa Nella to either cancel your reservation or reschedule it for next year. The Hotel Mission de Oro has accommodated our postponement plan.
Your help in passing this news to others in the bonsai community would be greatly appreciated! We will miss gathering with everyone this year and hope to see you the first weekend in February 2023.
18TH BIENNIAL SHOHIN SEMINAR
CANCELLED
The Shohin Seminar is now scheduled to occur in February 3rd-February 5th of 2023.
Materials of exceptional quality at reasonable prices include Mikawa black pine, shimpaku juniper, Japanese maple, several varieties of Trident maple, crape myrtle. These trees are now over 17 years old. Prices determined on site and will be based on size, style and age. Saturday is for conifer dig only and Sunday is deciduous. Please contact Bolet Salvador of Lotus bonsai at bolet@lotusbonsai.com for more information.
Trip to Oroville Growing Grounds with Lotus Bonsai
February 12 and 13, 2022
The annual Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt Mammoth Auction and Sale will be held on Saturday, February 19 and Sunday, February 20, 2022 at 666 Bellevue Ave., Lakeside Park Garden Center in Oakland. You are invited to the biggest auction and sale of bonsai, pre-bonsai, pots, books, stands, and related material. A Mammoth fundraiser with all proceeds going to support the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt (BGLM).
Saturday auction preview starts at 12:00 p.m. with auction starting at 1:00 p.m. Sunday sale from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., large showing of vendors, plant sales, and much more. Purchase your bonsai needs. For further information, contact George Haas at gwhaas@comcast.net or stay tuned to the BGLM Website www.bonsailakemerritt.com.
Auction bonsai and items are now being collected at BGLM. Volunteers in all areas are requested to contact George Haas for leader assignments.
21ST ANNUAL MAMMOTH AUCTION AND SALE
FEBRUARY 19 AND 20, 2022
Lakeside Park and Garden Center
666 Bellevue Avenue
Oakland, CA
Bonsai exhibit, member and vendor sales, Bonsai demonstration featuring daily at 1:30pm with Andrew Robson as headliner.
There is a large vendor and member sales area, free admission and parking, and a beginner workshop Sunday morning from 10am-12pm (to register contact Renee Seely).
The benefit drawings on both Saturday and Sunday will include each day’s demonstration tree and many bonsai/bonsai related items. For additional information visit our website: American Bonsai Association of Sacramento, or contact Renee Seely, 916-929-2106, email breadcrust@comcast.net.
American Bonsai Association Sacramento Spring Show and Sale
April 9-10, 2022
Shepard Garden & Arts Center in McKinley Park
3330 McKinley Park, Sacramento
Join us and see over 50 Bonsai Trees on display. There will be a Sale and Benefit drawing with over 100 bonsai and pots. Club members will put on a demonstration on Sunday at 1:30pm.
Bob Shimon of Mendocino Coast Bonsai presenting at 1:30pm Saturday.
For more information contact show co-chairs: Lynne O’Dell at lynnemo@gmail.com or Idris Anderson at idrisan@gmail.com. Details will also be posted at Kusamura Bonsai Club website.
Kusamura bonsai club 62nd annual show
12pm-4pm Saturday and 11am-4pm Sunday
April 30th and May 1st, 2022
Addison School
650 Addison Street
Palo Alto
This is the not-to-be missed once a year sale at the nursery. Big discounts on all bonsai trees and stock plants.
Lotus Bonsai Annual Spring Sale
9am-4pm
May 14-15, 2022
Lotus Bonsai Nursery & Gardens
1435 Lower Lake Drive
Placerville, CA 95667
The finished tree will be raffled off at the end of the demonstrations. Bonsai pots, soil, etc. available for purchase. Admission is free.
VALLEY BONSAI SOCIETY 12TH ANNUAL SHOW
10am-4pm with demonstration at 1pm
June 18-19, 2022
Alden Lane Nursery
981 Alden Lane
Livermore, CA 94550
The Pacific Bonsai Expo is a juried exhibition featuring 70 outstanding bonsai displays and a selection of the community’s top vendors. Jurors Bjorn Bjorholm, Ryan Neil, and William N. Valavanis will select the trees. The exhibitors are the judges. Your trees are the stars. It’s an event not to be missed.
