The Cincinnati Advanced Bonsai Study Group met last weekend at the Civic Garden Center.  Suthin, the group mentor, started off with a discussion on next steps.  Proper black and white pine candle techniques and maple ramification were discussed in the morning, followed by a lot of work on the trees by the individual participants. 

It was at this meeting that Suthin announced that he would not be able to complete the remaining sessions with the study group due to personal reasons.  The group has already made arrangments for Ted Matson to take over as group mentor.  We all wish Suthin well in his ventures and look forward to working with Ted in the very near future.

It may seem odd that the president of a local bonsai club would be writing an article in favor of study groups. Don't get me wrong, I'm not opposed to clubs. In fact I enjoy the two bonsai clubs that I am a part of. They certainly have their place and offer plenty to the bonsai community.

I am, however, equally in favor of bonsai study groups. I've recently joined the Advanced Bonsai Study Group in Cincinnati. After our first meeting in March I left feeling excited and exhausted, having spent a full day working on trees. I've had the same experience after a bonsai intensive at Boon's. The level of learning in a directed study group is intense. So much more can be accomplished in 8 hours or more, instead of the typical 2 hours of a club meeting.

Study groups offer more to members that are in search of higher learning. Advanced techniques and problem solving just can't be taught at a standard meeting. Club attendees tend to be quite diverse in their bonsai knowledge. The atmosphere at a club meeting just doesn't lend itself to the same kind of directed study.

The playing field is a little more level at a study group. Not because of exclusion, but because those that dedicate the time and energy into this type of meeting are ready, willing, and able to learn.

This past Saturday I spent the day chatting with Doug Philips at the Art in the Arbor show. He and I had chatted a few days earlier on similar topics. During that conversation he offered to invite the Louisville Club members out for a day of bonsai at his place in July. I'm really looking forward to this meeting. Based on the size and diversity of the Greater Louisville Bonsai Society I would bet that we could see 5-10 members show up, ready to spend the day working on trees. Hopefully that will be enough interest for Doug to make this a monthly endeavor.

I will continue to play a major role in bonsai clubs for years to come. I will also continue to look for more opportunities outside of clubs. Study groups fill that void nicely for me. They aren't for everyone, granted, but they do offer something to the individual looking to increase their bonsai knowledge and camaraderie with like minded folks.

The first meeting of the Bonsai Society of Greater Cincinnati Advanced Bonsai Study Group was this past weekend.  In my opinion it was a complete success.  Our Sunday group met promptly at 9am at the Krohn Conservatory.  All 9 of the "students" brought 3 or more trees to work on.  There was an assortment of Japanese Black Pine, junipers, crab apples, and many more.

The participants were all members of the Bonsai Society of Greater Cincinnati.  Of those members were the Cincinnati club president (Don Brown), Dayton club president (Dave Billings), and Louisville club president (me).  Other members were from Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, Lexington Kentucky, and elsewhere.  Cincinnati seems to always have a good draw as they are always doing new and interesting things.  The Advanced Study Group is certainly no exception.

Here is the result of 8 hours of trimming and wiring.  More work is already planned for the next meeting in May.

This weekend will mark the first meeting of the Bonsai Society of Greater Cincinnati Advanced Study Group.  The study group consists of two groups of 8 students who meet on either Saturday or Sunday.  Each group will meet 4 times a year for 3 years with the group mentor, Suthin Sukosolvisit.  I will be a part of the Sunday group.  I'm very excited about the first meeting.

Each group member brought 3 or more trees last fall for approval by a committee.  Here are those that I will be working with over the next 3 years.  I hope to include pictures showing the progression here on the blog.

Buttonwood
Japanese Black Pine
Japanese Black Pine
Ponderosa Pine