It is time for another competition and as is my way, I want to encourage people into group plantings – specifically, the forest setting. And ‘forest’ in the broadest of terms … natives rambling across sand dunes; a dense and verdant rainforest; a dry riverbed with trees clinging to life waiting for the next rains; a lush country hillside filled with trees …. You get the picture.
Why am I starting this competition? I’ve been inspired by many on this forum and I have learned a lot. It’s a small token to give back. Rory and Ryan have shown the way recently and people seem to enjoy the odd competition. So, let’s have fun with an ‘odd’ competition. And, it’s Christmas.
Why forest plantings? Well… I love a group planting! Importantly, they provide an avenue for people at all levels to develop something interesting; something of gravitas. The act of creating a forest landscape gets us all thinking… thinking about the species, the setting, the individual trees and their relationship to each other, the land and the picture in our mind.
Rules. What Rules? Let’s call them guidelines
• No drama whether it is Bonsai or Penjing … or anything in between;
• Rocks, paths, figurines are allowed but are not mandatory – whatever floats your boat;
• Flat landscapes or mounded mix; moss, stones or bare … I not much care;
• Native or not … whatever inspires you;
• Young trees or old… or a combination;
• When the gongs are handed out in July 2023 (competition ends on 30th June 2023), no correspondence will be entered in too. This is started in fun and good faith; let’s not get too serious. For prizes – see below.
• Submit entries under the current competition area of this forum. Make the title this format: [A Forest Tale] then Your AusBonsai user-name - entry name. Example: [A Forest Tale] MJL – Moonah trees - a walk on the peninsula.
So all entries will have this [A Forest Tale] and then your username and entry name.
Multiple entries are allowed - let's cap it 3 person person, max.
Regarding thread updates - as often as you want but let's say at least twice per year to see the progression, what you are doing to the trees and what's in your head, as time passes.
The prize(s)
Two Murrumbung Studio Pots
• One for the winning forest chosen by this little duck; this pot will be a ‘commission’ (ie – shohin-sized but the winner will commission the work directly with Tracey.) How cool is that!! Thanks Tracey.
• Another pot will be awarded by forum poll. Votes will only be allowed from people who entered the competition and the AusBonsai forum Admin (If they would like to vote). This will be another shohin-sized pot, ready-made chosen by (me).
A big call out to Tracey here. The fact that she offered to commission a pot for the winner is beyond what I expected when purchasing the pots for this competition. This offer is greatly appreciated. Check out Tracey’s work here https://www.murrumbungstudioceramics.com.auand support local potters everywhere.
This next part is more important than the rules. The judges (that’s me and a few of my alter egos. Oh, and I may co-opt Tracey and the help a couple of other Forum members). The judges (I) will be swayed by
:• Imagination - a setting that you could walk through - assuming you could shrink yourself down to say 1cm. If I can picture myself sitting in or walking through a landscape …. happy times.
• There’s a preference for seedlings and/or small plants – rather than getting advanced stock and bring them together to form a mature scene from the get-go.
• On above, I am not going to be too anal … If you have trees that are a little older – sure, go nuts but I want the competition to be accessible to all and I want to show people that a well thought out planting of younger trees can look cool too.
• Entries close at end April 2020, this should enable people time to think, assemble trees and potentially do an initial pot through this summer and autumn.
• The initial entry does not have to be planted in one pot nor indeed, the finished landscape; just the set of trees that will be used but the plants must be brought together by the end of 2021. That date is a bit random, but I believe plants growing together create their own dynamic … so let’s get them together well before the end of the competition please.
• It’s OK of if have a forest on the go already and want to enter that, no drama.
Here’s the kicker; the twist in the forest tale (pardon the pun)
When it all winds up on June 30th, 2023 - a short story must be submitted with the final photos. The story will be in writing, accompanying the last photos. It may be a poem, perhaps a Haiku or a rhyme. It may be a few paragraphs; it may be quite a long tale. I don’t care how you make the gravy but the gravy is important. In this competition, your little story which will describe your forest … will be the gravy. Take five minutes to watch one of Australia’s great story tellers ….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FozoWgvh-m4
Don’t panic – the forest setting will be the primary criteria … the accompanying tale is just a bit of fun. It won’t decide the outcome but… if you fail to submit any a wee story at the end of the competition, the judge(s) may not be able to award a prize!
I hope this works for everyone interested. Feel free to provide feedback, there is room to tweak the guidelines… if needed.
Cheers,
Mark
PS Again, submit entries under the current competition area of this forum. Make the title this format: [A Forest Tale] then Your AusBonsai user-name - entry name. Example: [A Forest Tale] MJL – Moonah trees - a walk on the peninsula.
So all entries will have this [A Forest Tale] and then your username and entry name.
Good luck
I've been trying to reduce my collection because it's getting too much 
Don't know how I'll break the news to my better half, she won't be impressed.
