M.B.

Hello all, I was just wondering how many people on this site are interested in the art of suiseki. I have been learning a lot over the last year or two. Been on several collecting trips, discussions, show/exhibits, ect. Like bonsai there is so much to learn. I can't be the only one on this site. Speak up people!
Mary B.

JLDoggett

Hi M.B. I have been making bases for Suiseki for quite a few years now, I have a small collection of favourites and have sold quite a few to Asian clients. I suppose I should have posted more, however I had a bit of a health decline this past year and certain things slipped through the probverbial crack.

Doing better now and as soon as I get caught-up on life in general I hope to start carving again.

Just noticed all my old posts are missing, must have been lost during the crash. Will consider redoing some of them. I think my tutorial is still here in the articles section.

__________________
"Resolve to be tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant with the weak and wrong....because sometime in your life you will have been all of these"

And I further resolve to click on an ad, each time I visit, to help support the site and to be welcoming to lurking guests when you join! After all, you're already here.

M.B.

Do you collect your own stones of buy them? Having gone on several collecting trips I have found it very difficult to find decent stones good enough for a daiza. I bring home lots of rocks for one reason or another but very few (if any) good suiseki. I have bought some of my stones. They're usually cut so a purist that hold to stringent Japanese rules would not think they are of much value.

I'm glad you are feeling better. There's nothing worse than feeling like crap over a long period of time. Since I have rhuematoid arthritis, I know this first hand and it does wear on you, making you less likely to want to post or do much of anything.
Mary B.

JLDoggett

Hi Mary,

I have been collecting rocks for many years. Usually I am seeking gem material for my business, but often I have been known to while away a day knee deep in a stream turning over rocks looking for one worthy to take home and mount. I figure I am lucky if I find 2-3 per year that have some quality that would make them keepers. I should admit I am not a purist as a stone that strikes my eye as invocative gets saved and has the potential of being mounted.

Some of my stones are in my gallery, though as I saw I need to re-post most of them.

Best regards,

Jim

__________________
"Resolve to be tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant with the weak and wrong....because sometime in your life you will have been all of these"

And I further resolve to click on an ad, each time I visit, to help support the site and to be welcoming to lurking guests when you join! After all, you're already here.

dick benbow

Hi Mary,
I love all things japanese. koi,Mums,and now ikebana and suiseki. Our Bonsai Club started a suiseki club within it's organization and i have thorughly enjoyed our outings.
I've been at it for about two years and have reached the point where I no longer bring stones home. (gettin' picky) We have a show coming up in march that I will share some stones at. I'm excited about the finding part of it and relieved I don't have something that needs to be fed every day and cleaned up after

I've attached a photo of a stone that is featured on a daiza and titled as a snow cave. Found on an island in canada....

Attached Images

IMG_2262.jpg (39.9 KB, 11 views)

M.B.

DICK! Big hugs! It's been ages. Remember me from the koi boards years ago. Mary Beth from Camellia Koi Club (Sacramento). If my memory serves you had quite an addiction for Asagi (how's that going?) and fishing.
I got into bonsai about six years ago. I know what you mean about having a collection/hobby you don't have to feed or water. I've loved rocks all my life so interest in suiseki was just a natural progression.
I don't know if I'll ever reach the point that I don't bring home any stones from a collecting trip. I have two grand babies now and the 2 1/2 year old loves to play with the colorful rocks, just like his Nana
Mary B.

dick benbow

Wow! talk about a small world!

What a nice surprise to find an olde friend on a new (for me) chat line.

It's been a hectic week. we lost power thurdsay a.m. due to an ice storm and I have been up around the clock feeding a generator and fireplace to keep the koi going and some heat and a place to cook food. As I write this 1 am saturday morning, the power has been restored. So now i can get some sleep
and watch the water temperature rise back up from 49 F.

My suiseki seemed to have survived without any assistance

JLDoggett

That is their enduring feature and why I do so enjoy them.

__________________
"Resolve to be tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant with the weak and wrong....because sometime in your life you will have been all of these"

And I further resolve to click on an ad, each time I visit, to help support the site and to be welcoming to lurking guests when you join! After all, you're already here.

dick benbow

looking for input/opinions on this biseki that has a stand that's a cross from
a daiza to suiban with sand.

Attached Images

IMG_2288.jpg (38.2 KB, 10 views)

M.B.

Hmm, I think the combo stand overpowers the stone and takes away from the pattern. The stand part looks way too big for the size of stone sitting on it. Displaying round or even oval stones can be difficult. Even a small black bean bag can be used, as long as it's subtle, to highlight the stones unique qualities. Choosing a style of stand to display suiseki is like choosing a pot for a bonsai. "Not too much" an old member in one of my bonsai clubs says. The pot should compliment, not jump at you and draw your eyes away from the bonsai. Same goes for suiseki and daizas or whatever you put your stone on. My eye goes right to the sand and the wood instead of getting lost in the feeling or story of your stone.
Mary B.