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Craig Coussins started Bonsai in 1974 and spent
the next 20 years studying under the UK's leading Bonsai artist.
During this time he travelled to the home of the late John Yoshio Naka
in Los Angeles to learn from this Bonsai Master who not only was a great teacher
but always gave generously of his time to Craig. John also visited
Craig in Scotland.
He began teaching in June 1978 when he founded
the Scottish Bonsai Association and soon after in 1983 he was a founder
committee member of the UK Federation of Bonsai Societies, FOBBS. He was
awarded the Patrick Neal Medal for services to Scottish Horticulture.
This prestigious award was presented by The Royal Caledonian
Horticultural Society. He went on to win a number of awards for his
trees and Suiseki. One of his Bonsai was sent to Xian, twinned city with
Edinburgh and is in the Peoples Garden. He retired from the local club
scene in 1987 and he now teaches Bonsai. The Federation of British
Bonsai Societies placed him on their Role of Honour in 2000.
From 1990
Craig has travelled around the world teaching his art
and although he is a very experienced carver, Craig prefers working with
trees rather than Power Tools. He studies the indigenous species of the
country he visits and always works towards developing trees native in
species and style of that country. He has worked in South Africa,
England, Italy, Ireland, Russia, New Zealand, Belgium and all over
America, . He is a writer for many Bonsai Magazines around the world.
Articles from his new books are also featured on this web site. Craig
has now written five Bonsai Books .
   
Some of Craig's' own trees
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Craig has been a Bonsai Master for
nearly 35 years
His styling preferences are refinement of
Bonsai that have perhaps, lost their direction. He likes Yosue, Forest,
Formal Upright, Chokkan and Bunjin, Literati. He has no particular
preference of species as he travels so much but does have a liking for
Pines, pinus, Maples, acer, Junipers, juniperus, Larch, larix, Yew,
taxus, Hemlock, tsuga and Elms, ulmus.
Craig has a full and regular circuit around the
globe where he is asked back many times to clubs and Conventions. Craig prefers giving
Workshops and clubs taking Craig's workshops always find that having
Craig as a workshop leader is something like having Genghis Khan being
in charge, very hard work but spiced with a lot of humour!
He loves trees that are well wired before a
workshop, Craig loves to write and has done so for over 50 years.
He loves humour and real life stories that are funny. He hates jokes but
appreciates witticism, (his wife says that she does not know any jokes
but managed to marry one) people with a sense of humour, sunny days,
Singing Bowls, Clarinet, Sax, Native American Flute, Jazz, Opera,
landscape photography, Suiseki, Chinese and Japanese Gardens, thick steaks, good
Sushi, cold Chardonnay, good Armangac and Malt Whisky, oh, and his wife Svetlana. A man
of simple tastes.
Craig has one philosophy in Bonsai. Share what
you learn and learn what you share...but always with your heart and not
your pocket.
Craig teaching Svetlana in 1995 when they first met
Gallery of things I like to do, and
why not? Click for bigger image
Things I like to do. Bonsai is my
passion but there are other things in life besides Bonsai! Svieta loves
most of these things as well-apart from the Bungee. Life's too short not
to enjoy what the world has to offer. Your only here once despite
whatever happens afterwards. (unless your a Buddhist and in that case
don't put off to day what you might have to do in another lifetime as a
beetle which makes working with wire all that more difficult)
Craig sports before he retired
were Fencing and Martial Arts. He became a National Fencing Coach
specialising in Paraplegic fencing and took the National Team to the
Para Olympics. He has studied various martial arts from age seven
until he retired. Today Craig's art is Bonsai and Bon Therapy (Chakra
Balancing therapy using Singing Bowls)
CLICK ANY BELLOW FOR A BIGGER PIC
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I dont often wear a kilt but when I do I surely do |
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Rock climbing comes with the territory if you are a photogrpher |
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My wife and I love using very fast snowmobiles and include that when we go Skiing |
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Fly by Wire is aNew Zealnd invention and very exciting |
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In New Zealand I did the Pipeline-the biggest bunjee in the world, I lost my beard and hair falling- hair today gone tomorrow. |
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Power Parqachuting is a great love |
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Nothing like a great ATV All Terrain Vehicle for exploring |
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We both love Parapenting-running of the top of a cliff with your chute open already-Whoooosh |
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We both got our Padis but we also have great fun just snorkeling in warm shark infested waters-I think Sharks are wondefrful misunderstood beasties |
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Parapenting is the way for me |
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Nothing like white powder |
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I play Sax, Clarinet, Didgeridoo and Native American Flute |
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I taught Fencing for 25 years |
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Svetlana loves Chinese Tea and so we have a few teapots |
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Golden Colorado Railway Museum |
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Treescapes photographed for my various books-five on Bonsai so far and others on various subjects |
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My daughter with a Giant Redwood in Yosemite |
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Cottinwood in the desert, Utah |
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from Craig Coussins
