Michael Baker

My bonsai studies began in the year 2000 when my wife and I went to a nursery in Pleasanton where the owner was retiring.  He was selling all of his personal collection of bonsai that he had either brought here with him from Japan or specimens he had developed in his 30 years as a nursery owner.

There was a cascading blue atlas cedar that caught my eye. She bought it for me as a birthday gift and now there are over a hundred trees in my collection. As part of the birthday present she had also called a man who owned a nursery in Hayward and asked him if he knew of a place where I could take a class or two to learn how to care for my new Bonsai tree. 

The owner said that he taught a class in Bonsai at a local adult school…She signed me up. 

Subsequently my relationship with John Uchida began and has continued to develop ever since. I took Johnny’s class multiple times over the next 4 years. I have assisted Johnny in his annual Yamato club show demonstration each year since 2003.

In the Fall of 2003, after I traveling to Japan to see the Kokufu-ten exhibition, sensei Uchida came and told me that it was time for me to begin teaching. In the Spring of 2004, after many hours of study, I acquired a California Teaching Credential and have been teaching Bonsai Basics at the San Lorenzo Adult School ever since.  I carry the mantle that Uchida-san turned over to me with respect and care.

In the last four years I have worked with the Japanese Bonsai masters Tak Shimazu, Shinji Suzuki, Harry Hirao, Masahiko Kimura. 

My most treasured gifts with regard to Bonsai are the people I have become close to.  Johnny Uchida is like a father to me; he has been my friend and mentor since the beginning and will continue to be so.  Dean Sutcliffe is a wonderful man who has given much to me and to the Bonsai community.  Tony Hayworth is truly gifted as a Bonsai artist and I am blessed to have him as a friend and colleague.  I have also been influenced and encouraged by Rick Boldy, Jack Ellis, Moses Oshima, Ollie Popkov, Joan Skroggs, and many others.

At this point in my bonsai career, I am doing demonstrations in various locations, meeting many great and emerging bonsai artists, and continuing to study the techniques of artists worldwide.