Craig Coussins started growing Bonsai in 1972, and after a meeting in 1976 with the UK’s leading master at that time—Peter Adams—studied under him for 8 years. Craig met John Naka in 1984 when John came to Edinburgh in Scotland. Visiting John frequently over the years in Los Angeles Craig was inspired by John to become a Bonsai teacher. A dance shoemaker by profession, his Bonsai hobby has become one of life's passions‐wife Svetlana being another.
From 1985, he started teaching internationally and has been a convention speaker and leading workshops in America, Russia, Belgium, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore and Italy. He has travelled extensively in America and has been a convention speaker in Florida, Mid Atlantic and Dallas as well as visiting clubs the length and breadth of this great country for the past 10 years. He works with beginners to advanced and has time for all.
Craig has authored three successful books. The most recent one, Bonsai School is already an international best seller for its format, images and content. His new book specially commissioned by Sterling Press is Bonsai Workshop, which will be published in North America in July 2006. Bonsai Workshop is directed at intermediate to advanced Bonsai growers. It also features many of Craig’Äôs landscape images where he has found Yamadori throughout the world.
Craig is presently writing a book on the Chinese Garden and has spent the past three years photographing Chinese Gardens outside China before going to spend a few months in Suzhou to complete the book during 2007.
He stills maintains a small collection of around 40 trees, mainly Yamadori.
- Species loved: Pines, Maples, Yew and Larch but he works with most species of course in his travels.
- Preferences: Design and development of material that’Äôs lost its way. Style preferences are Forest, Formal Upright and Informal upright. Although these days his size preferences are small to medium size, he still has some very large trees as can be seen in his books.
- Little known Facts: He plays Native American Flute and Singing Bowls, is passionate about Suiseki, and for 30 years has owned a company that makes Irish and Scottish Dance Shoes. Fall 2005 had 2 grandkids by his Son and Daughter.
