Over the past 25 years David DeGroot has provided the bonsai community with one of the most diverse, well-maintained, and inspiring public bonsai collections to enjoy. Having curated the Pacific Rim Bonsai Museum, founded by the Weyerhaeuser Corporation, since its inception in 1989, DeGroot selected many of the pieces for the museum and created several others which now form the heart of the newly organized Pacific Bonsai Museum. DeGroot’s diverse knowledge of Asian and native species of trees and their varying natural forms are one product of his extensive tenure as curator. However, the aspect which delineates Degroot and the Pacific Rim Collection from so many other public bonsai collections, was his ability to continue evolving the trees and innovating while also respecting the initial concepts of individual, culture, and bonsai technique used to create each unique piece. Perhaps no other individual in North America has a greater capacity to link aspects of culture to the form they take in bonsai and we are thrilled to have David’s expertise as a primary judge of the first Artisans Cup.
Here's a recent chat we had with David when we asked him to share a bit about himself and his work.
Where are you from?
Green Bay, WI
How would you describe your approach to bonsai? (Western style, traditional style, anywhere in between)
Primarily traditional Japanese style, but moving toward western naturalism, Chinese Lingnan styles, and some abstraction
What inspired you to begin bonsai?
Saw a bonsai exhibit in Milwaukee, WI in 1969(?) Was immediately taken.
What is your least favorite part of being a bonsai professional?
Air travel
What is your favorite part of being a bonsai professional?
Being able to review the progress of trees under my care, the joy of creating beauty
Where is the craziest place you’ve traveled for bonsai work?
No places that I would call “crazy”. Two of the most exotic for me were Rio de Janeiro and Johannesburg. An unusual experience was a couple of years ago in Yangzhou, where after my demo, there were so many people crushed around me trying to take photos that two security guards picked me up bodily and lifted me off the stage at the rear, so I could make my escape.
How many days on the road traveling for work do you spend in a year, on average?
Most of my work for the past 25 years (until my retirement 6 months ago) has been at the Pacific Rim Bonsai Collection/Pacific Bonsai Museum, so I have never done “tours”. I usually do long weekends or rarely a week a week at a time, with about 10 – 12 outings per year.
What do you feel like you are “known for” in bonsai? What’s your signature as a bonsai professional?
I am primarily known as former curator of the PRBC/PBM, and the work I have done there. I’m also known for my booklet Basic Bonsai Design. My new book – Principles of Bonsai Design – will be available by the time the Artisan’s Cup takes place.
What is your favorite North American species and why?
I don’t have a single favorite species. I enjoy working with American elm, Carolina Hornbeam, Pacific yew, and coast redwood.
What’s one thing that people would be surprised to know about you?
My first career was as a percussionist with the New Orleans Symphony. I was also an adjunct faculty member at both Xavier and Loyola Universities in New Orleans.
Why are you excited to be a judge at the Artisans Cup?
I think the Artisans Cup is a ground-breaking enterprise, in terms of both venue and scope. I also know that any project. It has generated so much enthusiasm within the bonsai community that I am certain we will see top quality trees throughout the exhibit.
Why should people submit trees to the Artisans Cup?
The point of any art is to share it. This will be a great chance for anyone who has a fine tree to not only share it with others, but to do so in excellent company, and be part of an outstanding event. The fact that there will be very significant cash prizes for the best trees should be an added incentive. Anyone who is proud of their work has an opportunity to be recognized and rewarded.
Come see David at The Artisans Cup this fall!
