GSBF is extremely fortunate to welcome Kathy Shaner to lead two seminars for this convention. Shaner began bonsai in 1983 in California. After ten years of study she managed to obtain an apprenticeship with Yasuo Mitsuya, highly regarded Master of Gendai (contemporary form) bonsai training. She is the first non-Japanese and the first woman certified by the professional bonsai grower's branch of Nippon Bonsai Association.

When Kathy was traveling as interpreter for her teacher, many have been impressed by her grasp of the Japanese culture. Mr. Yasuo Mitsuya made the comment that the future of bonsai was not in Japan. Young people there are not as interested in this ancient art. His gener ous nature in sharing his knowledge is carried on by his most auspicious student here in the U.S. Kathy is the curator of the Golden State Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt in Oakland. She maintains and designs private collections and teaches throughout the United States. She adds, “I’ve been around so long, people have just started to call me Mom.”

The first seminar, “Deadwood: It’s in the Bones,” will discuss deadwood on various species – how to create and treat deadwood. Attendees are encouraged to bring any troublesome trees for discussion.

Then, “The Art of Display: What Are We Trying to Com municate?” the second seminar, will lead the attendee to better understanding of tokonoma and bonsai displays, including the use of scrolls and accent plants. All attend ees will develop a greater understanding of concepts to improve their collections from either seminar.

Premier suiseki artists and teachers of Northern California – Jim Greaves, Hideko Metaxas, Mas Nakajima, Larry Ragle, and Felix Rivera – will lead a discussion on how to find suiseki. They plan to answer the questions:

• What is a suiseki and how do you find one in the field or at the bazaar?
• How do you finish the stone as a suiseki? This will cover such topics as suiban display, the design of daiza (wood bases), and the perennial question – to cut or not to cut?
• How do you display the suiseki at home or in a public exhibit? The panel’s expertise will answer attendees’ questions and help to improve their understanding of the art of suiseki.
  

Although he began his bonsai career officially in 1999, Greg has been exposed to the aesthetic principles of clean lines since he was born his mother lived in Japan for four years and collected Japa nese art and his father studied with Frank Lloyd Wright. When he started to study bonsai, he joined Santa Cruz Bonsai Kai and studied with Kats Kinoshita. He became passionate about native trees when he collected oaks with Gareth Shepherd. He says he “basically found my canvas in life.” He and his brother, Jay, are now known affectionately as the Bonsai Guys. Greg now lives in Placerville in the trees.

Greg will lead the Bonsai Basics classes with Valley Oaks grown from seed. They are five to six years old and have had some root work.