Natural talent, Roy Minarai (USA), has only very recently entered the world of bonsai pottery.
Can you tell us, Roy, how you got into bonsai pottery?
What got me interested in bonsai to begin with was by visiting two places as a kid — the Morikami Museum and Gardens and the Mounts Botanical Garden. There I saw bonsai trees for the very first time and fell in love. I always thought that at some time in the future I would own some. A few years ago I bought my first trees and began to discover pots. Not many people were making the style of pots that I was drawn to, so I decided to give it a try. The rest is history.
Who was your teacher?
I didn't have a teacher other than a few YouTube videos and a couple who offered encouragement to try and gave me space at a table. Since that first pot I've had much online advice from many potters, especially conversations with Andrew Pearson, who has been a huge help.
What is the most important thing you learned?
That there are no shortcuts to creating a good container. The hours and hours I have spent testing glazes are not in any way glamorous, but the end result always makes it worth it.
Why ceramic? What's so fascinating about it?
I think it's because you can start with a soft lump of clay, some raw elements and metals and, when you are done, you have created something that not only will last, but will captivate the imagination and emotion of people for generations. To create something that is treasured from something so mundane — there's great pleasure in that!
What is your philosophy on bonsai ceramics?
Bu hikaye Bonsai Focus EN dergisinin 2017-2 #145 March/April sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye Bonsai Focus EN dergisinin 2017-2 #145 March/April sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
BETULA
The challenge to grow bonsai from scratch
Refreshing accents
Summer accent plants that grow near water
Cast in Iron
Saad Khayar's naturalistic and detailed tenpai
BONSAI FROM FRUIT
Propagate by sowing seeds, or taking cuttings to create new bonsai
THE ROUGH DIAMOND
Bjorn Bjorholm works on a juniper with hidden qualities
Little, but wild
Bringing out the best from material with many faults
My victory
The bonsai passion of Alfredo Salaccione
The Azuma pines
Daiki, the third-generation Abe, works on seed-grown pines
No turning back
David Quintana works on a Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris)
Kid's play or pot?
A (very) young artist creates unconventional pots that are seriously cool