In addition to the work I do here on the site, I offer a range of services for Bonsai Enthusiasts, Clubs, and organizations. For more information, or to book, contact me at Gastrognome at aol dot com.
- Overview Lecture Series: My Bonsai Pottery Overview lecture series comes in 3 parts. Each part is a stand alone lecture, featuring a mixture of Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced information. They covers a range of topics including History, Appreciation, Classification, Discernment, Identification, and Selection. Each lecture is 1.5-2 hours long with Power Point, followed by a Q and A where I can identify and appraise members’ containers, or discuss selection for specific trees. Each lecture includes a container of Recognized Artist Tokoname quality or higher, to be raffled or auctioned at the Club’s discretion.
- Advanced Lecture Series: In addition to the overview series, I offer individual lectures dealing with specific artists, Japanese regions, or periods. The format is the same as the overview series. Lectures can be customized to meet your group’s needs, but some examples include: Heian Tofukuji, Painted Containers and Artists, Antique Chinese Containers, Advanced Identification for Professionals, Shohin Pottery, and Building a Collection.
- Expert Appraisal: I offer professional appraisal and Identification of larger collections in person, via email, or Messenger, and have done work for some of the most prestigious museum collections in North America. In person appraisals are charged hourly. Internet appraisals are free of charge up to a couple handfuls of containers, then the fee is whatever you think the information is worth!
- Bespoke Sourcing and Commissions: If it exists, I can find it. If there is something specific, either an artist, style, or period piece you’re looking for, or just something you see in one of the articles here you’re interested in, feel free to shoot me an email. I’m happy to help with container selection for individual trees as well, and can help you find anything from good to world class containers within your budget. Send requests to Gastrognome at aol dot com, or contact me via Facebook Messenger.
If your club isn’t able to have me for a lecture this year, come see me at the 5th National Bonsai Exhibition in Rochester in September, where I will be giving 2 lectures.
At the Greater New Orleans Bonsai Society. Kowatari Nanban in Hand, great Sanshu Ichiyo in the Foreground.
Doing an appraisal after lecture for the clearly enthused Rodney Clemmons, at the Atlanta Bonsai Society. 
At the Bonsai Society of Upstate New York in Rochester, discussing a pair of older production Suiban.
Japanese Bonsai Pots Blog 