Narrowleaf Firethorn Bonsai

Narrowleaf Firethorn Bonsai

Roots over Rock © 2011 Bo Mackison

This Narrowleaf Firethorn Bonsai was one of the more unusual specimens in the courtyard exhibit at the Chicago Botanic Garden. The roots of the Firethorn have been carefully trained to grow around a large rock.

How does one train tree roots to grow around a rock? The horticulturists at the botanic gardens explain. Roots of bonsai can be trained as intricately as the branches. The rock and roots are both buried in the soil when the tree is a sapling. Then, gradually, the soil is removed and the flexible young roots are trained to form around the shape of the rock as they continue to grow downward. The roots are usually trained to follow crevices and fissures on the rock, creating form on form.

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Bo Mackison is a photographer and the owner of Seeded Earth Studio LLC. She has just finished the longest art show stint of the summer, and now will spend the next three weeks entertaining out-of-town family and catching up on many photo projects.

Satsuki Azalea Bonsai

Satsuki Azalea Bonsai

Satsuki Azalea Bonsai

The art of Bonsai originated in Asia many centuries ago. The literal translation of bonsai is plantings in tray, from bon, a tray or low-sided pot and sai, a planting. When the tree is planted, it is intentionally placed in the dish to form a harmonious unit where the shape, texture and color of the tree compliments the container. The bonsai is shaped, twig by twig, into an aesthetic image. This shaping requires constant pruning and trimming.

This bonsai was in full bloom when photographed at the Chicago Botanic Garden in early July. Approximately 15 inches tall, the blossoms nearly hide the tree’s foliage.

The Botanic Garden has a world-famous collection of over 200 bonsai, all professionally trimmed and pruned by horticulturists. The trees are placed in the outside courtyard exhibit when they are at their peak. For more information on the Botanic Garden’s bonsai collection, the Gardens website has a page devoted exclusively to the bonsai.

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Bo Mackison is a photographer and the owner of Seeded Earth Studio LLC. She is back in the suburbs of Chicago this weekend, exhibiting her photography at the Buffalo Grove Invitational Art Fair.

 

Twisted Pomegranate Bonsai

Twisted Pomegranate Bonsai

Twisted Pomegranate Bonsai © 2011 Bo Mackison

When I was at the Chicago Botanic Gardens in early July, I spent the early morning shooting some of the bonsai trees in the Bonsai Garden in the Frances Searle Courtyard. I do not know much about these small, pruned trees, only that this one had just been freshly watered by the gardener and that the morning light was casting a soft sidelight.

I’ve traveled the Midwest for the last five weekends, so I have posted to my blog more sporadically than usual. One more art fair this weekend (Buffalo Grove in suburban Chicago) and then I have a two week-end break with much catching up to do.

I have a several more photographs of bonsai to post and so I will do the proper research and tell you all about the lovely bonsai trees in the next few posts. In the meantime, I will enjoy this foot high twisted pomegranate, knowing nothing about it, except how wonderful its twists are to admire.

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Bo Mackison is a photographer and the owner of Seeded Earth Studio LLC.

 

Daisies, Daisies

Shasta Daisies

Daisies © 2011 Bo Mackison

What would summer be without a shot of a bunch of Shasta daisies? These beauties are from my perennial garden in full bloom with coreopsis, purple coneflowers, daisies, sunflowers and wild geranium taking center stage. It’s a great mix of yellows, whites, and purples. I’m still waiting for a few flowers to make their appearance. The balloon flowers are just starting to put out buds and the lavender still looks like a bunch of unruly grasses.

I haven’t been getting much photo time in the area botanical gardens this year. First, spring was slow in coming, and then once the bloom really took off, I started traveling to art fairs every weekend. I know I have the week-days, but I usually spend Monday catching up on household chores and laundry from the weekend, plus there’s the unpacking which always creates more of a mess. That leaves Tuesday and Wednesday to create new prints, add to the inventory, and get out for a photo shoot if the weather cooperates. Thursday is a sorting and packing day to get ready for Friday, the travel and set-up day.

Wow! I had no idea that doing art fairs would turn into a seven-day a week, full-time job. But I’ve never had a job where I have been as happy or feel as fulfilled. Sure, there are moments after a long, rainy day when Sherpa and I question each other’s sanity. And we are on our longest stretch of weekend shows and it seems we never get fully unpacked until it’s time to pack again. But neither of us have time to be bored, that’s for sure!

This weekend we head to a show I am thrilled to be doing – the 50th anniversary of Krasl’s Art on the Bluff in St. Joe, Michigan. Located an easy drive from Chicago on the shores of Lake Michigan, this promises to be a great venue, celebrating art for two full days. Really looking forward to a wonderful weekend and so far, the weather forecast calls for sun, sun, sun!

Krasl’s Art Fair on the Bluff
Saturday, July 9 and Sunday, July 10, 2011

Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Seeded Earth Photograph will be in Booth # 177 on the bluff.

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Bo Mackison is a photographer and the owner of Seeded Earth Studio LLC. She looks forward to seeing Lake Michigan from the Michigan shoreline this coming weekend – and maybe checking out a sand dune or two before the art fair opens!

‘Kathy McCain’ Water Lily

'Kathy McCain' Tropical Water Lily

‘Kathy McCain’ Water Lily

Water Lilies

by Rainer Maria Rilke (1875-1926)

My whole life is mine, but whoever says so
will deprive me, for it is infinite.
The ripple of water, the shade of the sky
are mine; it is still the same, my life.

No desire opens me: I am full,
I never close myself with refusal-
in the rhythm of my daily soul
I do not desire-I am moved;

by being moved I exert my empire,
making the dreams of night real:
into my body at the bottom of the water
I attract the beyonds of mirrors…

Translated by A. Poulin

I photographed these beauties at the lily ponds at the Chicago Botanic Garden. I also photographed the identification sign of these bright magenta lilies, but I can find no information about this specific variety. Perhaps they are a relatively new hybrid.

I do think the color is quite intense, more so compared to the other tropicals that were in these gardens. I also love the lily pads with the variegated colors – adds a touch of pattern to the simply shaped flower.

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Bo Mackison is a photographer and the owner of Seeded Earth Studio LLC.