AusBonsai

Hi all!

Just a small contribution of John's works. All found through various searches.
I would very much like to get my hands, on more of his work. Trying to order a copy of his sketch book now.

I hope by just presenting his sketches, we can get an idea of how his works were conceived. His technique is amazing in itself but what truley intrigues me, is the way his mind creates a Bonsai from a bush.

If you have copies of more of his work, I would be greatful if you could contact me or post them here.

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i beleive the picture with all the trees on the cliff face from top to bottom show how the same tree would grow under differnt circumnstances. very interesting concept!

More again.

Jamie wrote:i beleive the picture with all the trees on the cliff face from top to bottom show how the same tree would grow under differnt circumnstances. very interesting concept!

Indeed! That is what I was thinking too. I had never seen such a drawing before, very interesting!!

John was also a great Photographer.

Mitchell wrote:He was so stuck in the moment, he missed the in coming tide and got stranded on the rock.

I've done that a few times around the Peninsula. Mainly just end up getting drenched. Lucky my camera has survived it all!

Sketching is something that very few people attempt, it is not important to be good at it just get the idea across. Most will say "I cannot do it" and will not even try.
I pulled out one of John Naka's books and spent a few hours just copying his sketches, you can learn heaps about how to draw foliage and bark in no time at all!
Try it, your drawings will get better, and keep drawing.

Gerard

There was a collection of his sketches done in Australia compiled back in the 1970s. It may still be around and comes up at raffles, auctions etc.

Some of the people involved in its publication are still around and were linked to the Illawarra Bonsai society.

Zillah W now lives in Brisbane somewhere.

Barrington C from the Summerland club may have some or know where they are.

Grant

Mitchell wrote:

Jamie wrote:i beleive the picture with all the trees on the cliff face from top to bottom show how the same tree would grow under differnt circumnstances. very interesting concept!

Indeed! That is what I was thinking too. I had never seen such a drawing before, very interesting!!

techniques one i think was where he did that...

The drawing of trees from top to bottom are in Bonsai Techniques 11 if you are lucky enough to have a copy.
I was fortunate enough to get to know John in his later years though a mutual friend by the name of Roberto Gerpe. Who worked with John and studied by helping him.

Mrs Pup has a copy of Bonsai Techniques 1 signed with a personal dedication which was a gift from John.
So we donated my first copy to the club, it gets quite a lot of use.

One of my biggest regrets is never having met the Man in person.
Mitchel he also has one book which I believe to be very hard to get, it is about Satsuki Azalea's.

I just went looking for some of the many pictures that Roberto sent us. Mrs Pup Deleted them by mistake, so she says

Apparently John was not happy with the Azalea book and the plates were done away with. I got a copy when it first came out and it looks fine to me.

Grant