AusBonsai

Craig wrote:any thoughts at all???

The virt probably isn't showing, however to just throw my opinion in, I like the freeform slab idea....

Thanks Paddles ,,,,,Craig

Craig
I like the free form pot. Suggests an interesting story: tree left isolated in a broad flat plain. You sometimes see these on drives in the country (any country nearly). In that setting, the tree attracts much attention. 'Overpotting' it, as one might describe the slab setting, may be outside the usual guidelines, but it creates a strong work with its own character. It creates an effect that just can't be done with the tight-fitting standard approach to selecting a pot. Isolated, as it would appear, also links to the damage of the trunk. The viewer can contemplate whether the damaged trunk relates to the absence of any other trees...

Hey Craig, thought I would try my hand at a virt for you. I like the inspiration pic you posted but prefer a straighter side to the pot and an unglazed dark stoneware. Matt

Thanks Roger, i like the slab too but it would be really unsuited to my climate, too hot and dry in summer, but maybe in the future i may go that way

Matt, Cheers for the virt, i like it and especially the pot, the finish is really nice, also like that style of oval pot. Funny you should post as i've been thinking about this choice recently,,thanks Matt,,,Craig

Craig wrote:Thanks Roger, i like the slab too but it would be really unsuited to my climate, too hot and dry in summer, but maybe in the future i may go that way

Matt, Cheers for the virt, i like it and especially the pot, the finish is really nice, also like that style of oval pot. Funny you should post as i've been thinking about this choice recently,,thanks Matt,,,Craig

Its a bit of a cheat, the pot is one of mine that i enlarged & then squished but gave the shape I wanted to convey. I would even go to a completely flat vertical sided tray with minimalist feet offset from the edge. The big tray gives the tree room to star.. the square line contains it. I would aim for a tray that allows the tree to not overhang any side. I didnt know how big the tree was or I could have used a tray I have here, its about the right colour too, the brown not green. The pot I used is only 9cm.

Matt

MattA wrote:enlarged & then squished but gave the shape I wanted to convey

Thats very tricky Matt,,, The tree is 330mm high, and the canopy is 350mm around, the base when uncovered is about 90mm,,heres is a pic for size comparison,,,thanks again Matt ,,,Craig

Craig wrote:

MattA wrote:enlarged & then squished but gave the shape I wanted to convey

Thats very tricky Matt,,, The tree is 330mm high, and the canopy is 350mm around, the base when uncovered is about 90mm,,heres is a pic for size comparison,,,thanks again Matt ,,,Craig

jan-12010#%.jpg

The pot is 94mm x 70mm ... now I have to send it to you to see them side by side

Would seriously love to have a crack at it... I would want a tray 450 x 700 bare minimum with a 20mm profile, straight walled, offset feet (2-3mm) really minimalist. The clay is darkened by manganese & it produces larger flecks & spots as well as the overall depth of colour in the pot.

Matt

Just looked at the photo again, with a slightly wider pot again it would show off the hole thru the right side, its half disguised by the plastic pot rim behind... if there was moss it would shine thru!

Ok last edit... pump the tray up to 500 x 900 now we are talking some serious space to really set that tree right back & own its space.... I would use the space on the right side for a rock or other accent or you could go for a whole meadow planting underneath, with the space it affords mixed plantings that you cant get away with in smaller trays.

MattA wrote:pump the tray up to 500 x 900 now we are talking some serious space to really set that tree right back & own its space

thats seems rather large, it'll take the farmer ages to collect his cattle from way out there under the old tree ,na seriously, i like where your head is at, .The 450x700 sounds maybe a little more realistic, however ???
As discused i'll send u some fresh pics Matt.

MattA wrote: now I have to send it to you to see them side by side

No need ,but if you want thats fine by me,,I love the clay
""Matt, thanks for involving yourself and your time with this project, it's well noted,"" , Regards Craig

A while back i purchased an IKER pot from Melaquin, great quality and workmanship, so
while i''m waiting for a 42 Mice pot to be made by MattA , I had this pot sent over to me from Iker Bonsai Pottery in the US.
It's around the same size as the tree was originally in (the blue oval pot) and i think it should be a good match

We'll see soon enough i guess