I probably need to write a full article about this tree and all my time with it has meant to me. I'm not ready for that today, but I do have a photo from the studio today and thought it would be interesting for people to see.
In spring 2004 I participated in the Joshua Roth New Talent Contest run by the American Bonsai Society. The material were young shimpaku junipers. Here are some photos of the progression of this modest little tree.
The tree as I got it at the start. We randomly drew our trees at the start of the day.
At the end of the eight-hour day. Didn't look like much. But the judges felt it demonstrated the best work on a bonsai that day.
This photo is from April of 2007 after pruning and rewiring.
Summer 2008. It's beginning to look like a tree.
Fall of 2009. Ready for pruning and more shaping.
Spring 2011. Before working.
Spring 2011 after a big improvement. Tree and owner growing together...
The tree today, 8/30/13. Repotted at a new angle, thinned and unwired. Ready to rest for the winter.
Stay tuned to see how this tree develops in the future.