New Bonsai Videos
7 months to the day since my last blog post. I know how many of you lovely folk appreciate these posts and so all i can do is apologise for my absence. If I’m honest I have had the year from hell for a multitude of reasons and entirely lost my way to the point I was contemplating dumping everything for pennies on the pound and fucking off. Im not going into detail at this time but WTF. I know i’m not alone here either.
So, i’m in a fragile state and in order to try and get back on an even keel i have made a few changes. I had largely become nocturnal, getting up at 2am and only sleeping 3-4 hours at a time took it’s toll. Now I have gone back to what I did for decades, i go outside to work on my trees from about 9pm until 1am. I’m still permanently knackered but at least some of the trees are coming along nicely which is making me feel a lot better and i’m feeling inspired again.
That means (so long as I can be bothered) there’s a lot more bonsai work to share with ya’ll. I actually filmed several projects early in the year but entirely lost interest and they are still on the camera entirely undisturbed. I utterly detest having to sit in front of this fucking screen for so many tedious hours every day and night, it absolutely wrecks my mental state and by the end of most days I become an intolerable savage, just ask Catherine next time you speak to her!
Perhaps it’s the little artist in me. Catherine says I am never happier than when I have my teeth into a project. I love to create things but the moment the projects done I loose interest. I have never met a happy artist in any discipline. Having the ability to imagine what COULD be simply serves to make everything that IS look like a piss poor second rate option.
I take that view of my own work, like all my school reports ever stated ” Graham can do this standing on his head but just can’t be bothered. Must try harder.” Right from the first day I sat up in my cot I have had a significant problem being told what to do so when a teacher told me I must try harder I just did the opposite. My mum always called me “Little Tommy Opposite” because I was such a cantankerous little toe rag.
Smart folk will figure this out right away. I currently have a 10 week old puppy in the house and he simply refuses to do as he’s told. If we need him to sit in his bed he just won’t, he’ll duck and dive and hide, he’ll run all over the house in obstinate defiance. However chuck him outside in the cold and he’ll rush back in and hide in his bed.
Years ago my mate Stuart bought a yew to a workshop and suggested that even I would struggle to make much out of it. Turns out it was some of the best work I had done up to that point and now, 30 years later I own the tree and it’s still pretty good. Tell me I can’t do something and watch it happen, unless it’s something that really matters. Had my teachers told me I was hopeless waste of skin incapable of learning I think I could have gone on to be a fighter pilot. Turns out i AM just a cantankerous old scrote, a dinosaur and even at the age of 60 I can’t quite figure out which way is up. Just another ordinary working class Englishman then!
I say that to say this……
Two new videos posted this week. Seeing as so many folk really like these it makes me happy to share my work even though it cost me three days screen time this week and my heads frazzled. I’m open to offers of help editing videos but before ya’ll rush to offer your time an assistance do bear in mind i’m what they call complicated.
ENJOY…….
Just commenting to say I for one do look forward to your blogs as well as the videos and have an understanding of the time put in to do them – as well as do the multitude of other jobs that actually put ‘food on the table and pay the bills’ for you and yours. It doesn’t go unappreciated – but appreciation doesn’t pay bills!
Your videos have been inspirational to me – and others – and helped me understand much of the time and work needed to put into Bonsai… and ive learned more from seeing your work than reading ‘how to’.
Your blogs express much of what many feel – myself included as a 74 year old 😉
“I go outside to work on my trees from about 9pm until 1am.”
I wonder how many of us feel so much happier and far more relaxed after sitting and working on a tree for a couple of hours? I know it works for me.
Thanks as always for the Blog Graham. I look forward to many more of them.
It seems to me that since Covid the World has become a harder place to live in, the exception being some of the wonderful things in nature that, if not interfered with can still help people keep on an even keel.
Bonsai stands at the top of the list for me personally and you and your video’s provide all the therapy I’ll ever need.
Cath knows what’s best for you, and my wife Debbie knows what’s best for me.
Mucking about with trees is the answer.
Keep up the good work Graham , im going through a painful separation, I am going to lose my house, I am recovering from a stroke age 77 , brought on by stress.
I’m going to lose my trees as well as I will have no home. I did notice that you sometimes acquire collections so maybe they might be of interest?
Gary. That sound rough, i feel for you. Call me any time. Maybe we can help you and work something out.
As one that was worried about your long absence and indeed did send you a message of concern, I am very pleased that you have managed to come out of that black hole fighting. I have already seen the video of the Scot’s pine and look forward to watching the other. The presentation was as good as usual and very informative It was as if you hadn’t been away. Myself, as one that has been down your recent mental journey I can understand your feelings. Life doesn’t seem worth living for, until I found horticulture. All sorts happened for the good. I got an allotment, which kept our larder full of fruit and veg. I joined all sorts of horticultural societies. And best of all my wife and I raised two kids along the way. If at any time I feel a bit low ,a visit out into the garden, doing and bit of wiring or pruning, the blues soon vanish.
Welcome back Graham.
i had my first psychotic break in 1971 when i became suddenly very impaired through this awfull time i discovered bonsai and i forced myself to take it up went into remission then in 1979 i had another episode of 8 m0nths of hell but still did bonsai then in 1987 i had the big one ended up in the psych ward hallucinating and delusional and diagnosed schizophrenic got on meds and they realy worked i have been symptom free for years and all this time i did bonsai i found that growing bonsai is very theraputic i just love taking care of them and watering every day gives me great enjoyment I started a little bonsai nursery and train and sell native maine usa conifers and i am loving every minute of it. so look on the brite side graham and enjoy what you are doing it could be worse you know
Keep going mate.
As a 60 year old bloke, I can relate to all you say…
It is tough to navigate this crazy world and Country at present and age and wisdom makes it harder not easier.
But, you have inspired many of us with your honest and no nonsense bonsai approach over the years you’ve put out videos and run your business and continue to do so.
I always enjoy a new video from you.
So please do accept how fondly you are seen by the English bonsai community and take good care of yourself.. We’re not getting any younger…
Paolo….
Paul, stop i’m welling up! Thank you so much.
Mr.Graham.
Don’t stop do what you doing.
We,at least me adore you and your approach is always top notch.
60 years young you are!!
You Brits are so negative!!!
Lol
Bless you for your contribution toy life!!
Jozef from Haywards heath
Graham, I don’t know WTF is going on either, everything takes more effort, energy, time and sanity!
What I do know is that, your videos and blogs really are awesome, the hard work both you and Catherine do, is very much appreciated 🫡
Maybe your next project could be a book?*
*I realise that goes against your points above, but you’re probably 90% there, you just need to cut’n’paste 😆