This article is reprinted from the October 1, 2009 issue of the Commercial Appeal
The art of Bonsai takes dedication, says enthusiast
By Vernon Tabor, Special to My Life
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Techniques from finger-painting and the artistic level of Picasso were some of the things mentioned by Darryl Bailey in describing the art of Bonsai at his presentation to the Friends of the Bartlett Public Library at their quarterly meeting on Sept 14. When we think of Picasso we think of a creative and artistic genius; a Bonsai master with many dedicated years of training, practice and learning can develop a Bonsai plant to that same creative artistic level.
According to enthusiast Bailey, Bonsai is the art of miniaturizing trees or plants and developing them into an aesthetically appealing shape by growing, pruning and training them in containers according to prescribed techniques. Bonsai (Bone-Sigh) is Japanese for "Tree in a Tray." The more commonly used plants are pines, azaleas and maples, however, most trees and shrubs are capable of becoming a Bonsai. Even though Bonsai is thought of as a Japanese art form, it actually began in China more than a thousand years ago. Bonsai was later introduced to Japan where it was further refined. Bonsai today is a well-known and respected cultural art form that has spread throughout the world. Given proper care, Bonsai can live for hundreds of years with prized specimens being passed from generation to generation.
Bailey and his associate Hillary "Dutch" Meeks, Bartlett residents and both members of the Memphis Bonsai Society, brought Bonsai plants from their personal collections to display and discuss with Friends members and guests.
If you would like to know more about Bonsai plants, contact the Memphis Bonsai Society by visiting their Web site at memphisbonsai.com. Regular meetings are held at 7 p.m., on the fourth Tuesday of each month at the Goldsmith's Center at the Memphis Botanical Garden.
For more information about Friends of the Bartlett Public Library, visit the City of Bartlett Web site at cityofbartlett.org and click on the link to the Bartlett Public Library.
Vernon Tabor is with Friends of the Bartlett Public