dresangmeszler

Richard M. Meszler, Ph.D.
Bio Statement: My life in bonsai began when I was a graduate student in 1965, Louisville, KY. I was self taught until 1970, then joined the NY Bonsai Society and studied with Yuji Yoshimura. In MD, I was founding president of the Baltimore Bonsai Club and a member of the Potomac Bonsai Assoc. I was president of PBA in 1976 & 1986 when we hosted international bonsai symposia. I continued to study with various teachers including John Naka. In Oct. 1990, one of my bonsai, a crabapple (collected and trained since 1978) was selected for inclusion in the National Collection of North American Bonsai in the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum at the U.S. National Arboretum
(# 232). In my professional life, I have been teaching Anatomy at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, Dental School for the last 31 years.

Artist Statement: Although my bonsai in this exhibit is from medium size nursery stock, I prefer to work with larger, collected trees, especially crabapples. The beauty of trees collected from nature speaks to me in that the environment has shaped them in unique ways all their lives. The challenge for the artist when forming them into a bonsai, is to retain and perhaps enhance that unique, natural beauty. Very often collecting trees for bonsai rescues them from destruction. A case in point is my crabapple bonsai in the National Collection at the U.S. National Arboretum. It was 15 feet from the bulldozer line when I dug it up. My other artistic interests include photography, lapidary and jewelry fabrication. I am a member of the Gem Cutter's Guild of Baltimore.

Paul Dresang + Richard Meszler
Paul Dresang Bio Statement: I have been teaching at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville since 1977. Prior to this, I taught at Cleveland Institute of Art and the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. Recent exhibitions of note include: "Taking Measure: American Ceramic Art in the New Millennium", invitational World Ceramic Exposition, Yoji, Korea; Solo Exhibition "Pots for Daily Use," Trax Gallery, Berkeley, CA; SOFA Chigago and New York; Represneted by Ferrin Gallery, Croton, NY. Selected Awards: NEA '88, Illinois Arts Council Fellowship Grant, '91, '99. Artist Statement: After the invitation to join in Bonsai InSites, I looked into the history and tradition of Bonsai. I was intrigued with ideas of "wabi" and "sabi." The concept that "bonsai is, in a sense, an illusion...an image of reality" was indeed the beginning of insight into how I might proceed. The notion that Bonsai is an art form which is to "...appear almost accidental and to embody gracefulness...solitude perhaps, some deliberate antique imperfection," further helped to coalesce my new vision. The understanding that adherence to asymmetrical balance, detail and the avoidance of "stasis and over perfection", all converged to illustrate that anything is possible when bonsai "...is characterized by the freshness which comes from abandoning convention, custom and formula." I give you my porcelain Trompe l'oeil toy box "Aeroplane" bonsai planter.
		Click here for a detail of the image above. Aeroplane cone 9 porcelain, residual salt fired, enamels cone 04 glazes and underglazes 13l x 10w x 3h 2002 Bonsai Tree Information: Botanical Name: Juniperus chinensis 'San Jose' Common Name: San Jose juniper Style: Semicascade Estimated age: 30+ years Time in Training: 27 years Source of Plant: Nursery Stock
		Richard M. Meszler, Ph.D. Bio Statement: My life in bonsai began when I was a graduate student in 1965, Louisville, KY. I was self taught until 1970, then joined the NY Bonsai Society and studied with Yuji Yoshimura. In MD, I was founding president of the Baltimore Bonsai Club and a member of the Potomac Bonsai Assoc. I was president of PBA in 1976 & 1986 when we hosted international bonsai symposia. I continued to study with various teachers including John Naka. In Oct. 1990, one of my bonsai, a crabapple (collected and trained since 1978) was selected for inclusion in the National Collection of North American Bonsai in the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum at the U.S. National Arboretum (# 232). In my professional life, I have been teaching Anatomy at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, Dental School for the last 31 years. Artist Statement: Although my bonsai in this exhibit is from medium size nursery stock, I prefer to work with larger, collected trees, especially crabapples. The beauty of trees collected from nature speaks to me in that the environment has shaped them in unique ways all their lives. The challenge for the artist when forming them into a bonsai, is to retain and perhaps enhance that unique, natural beauty. Very often collecting trees for bonsai rescues them from destruction. A case in point is my crabapple bonsai in the National Collection at the U.S. National Arboretum. It was 15 feet from the bulldozer line when I dug it up. My other artistic interests include photography, lapidary and jewelry fabrication. I am a member of the Gem Cutter's Guild of Baltimore.

Paul Dresang + Richard Meszler