This article was published in 1997. Nick passed away in 2007.
I am 42 years old, married to the most beautiful woman in the world, have two sons aged 16 and 18 and a passion for Bonsai. All in all, a happy man.

I first discovered Bonsai about 18 years ago and I fell in love immediately. In the beginning I was a do-it-yourself man, and tried all sorts of trees and techniques. I read everything I could find about Bonsai, but in those days there wasn't much literature available. I have now built up a collection of books stretching 2,5 metres in my bookcase, and that's just about the trees!
After a couple of beginners courses (I daren't do any more), I studied for several years under Hotsumi Terakawa and later I became an official bonsai teacher of the Dutch Bonsai Association (NBV), with the help of Lars de Liefde and Greet Quist.
From that moment on I could infect anyone who would listen with my enthousiasm for this fantastic hobby. I have been doing that for more than 15 years.

It really is phenomenal to try to bring your passion across to someone else. Luckily it usually works. Most of the hundreds of trainees I have had started hesitantly and uncertainly, and that gives me the extra energy needed to convert them to the hobby and teach them the finer points of the art.
This type of beginner usually leaves the training as proud as a peacock with their first self-made Bonsai under their arm and a huge smile on their face which says "See! I can do it" and "This is great!".

In this way I have been able to give them some selfconfidence, a love of nature and a feeling for the small trees with all their beauty. Bonsai is after all not only "a tree in a pot", more "MY tree" "it's beautiful to ME".

Some of my students have been with me for 15 years, and of course I can't teach them much more, but they keep coming back with stories of their trees and experiences. In this way I can also learn from them.

I have visited many Bonsai Shows in different countries, and sometimes I am invited to demonstrate. Some of my Bonsai's have been praised not only by myself and other people, but also honoured with medals, titles and distinguished mentions.
Some trees have more diploma's than I do.

About 7 years ago I was able to set up a brand new branch of the Dutch Bonsai Association. The branch (Koya) covers the area around The Hague. I am proud of the flow of new members in the five years that I was chairman of this enthousiastic club. We were the biggest branch in the Netherlands and organised many Bonsai-events. I must admit that part of the growth may have been due to the way I pushed my students to become members!
At one large event the Pinus Cembra in waterfall-style Kengai (photo below) was chosen as publics-favourite. At the top of the artikel there is a photo of me with a Cedar in Bunjingi style. This tree has appeared in many articles all over Europe but unfortunately it was stolen 2 years ago. I hope the new "owner" is giving this tree the attention it deserves. It is still capable of making converts to the bonsai phenomenon.

I wish everyone could get the strength that can be gained from these little trees. From the moment that you look through the start-material and get that sudden "flash" between you and a tree. "Oh, that's the one!" and "I can do something with that one!" From that moment on 'the maker' is not the only one who spends energy on the tree. The tree is indeed "beautiful in the eyes of the owner" as the Japanese sages say. It is capable of filling the owner, and others who see it, with a lasting impression of that tree. It's not for nothing that in Japanese houses the bonsai are displayed for short periods in the Tokonoma (a place in the house) where the tree can be quietly viewed in all it's glory. The Bonsai is then capable of bringing the viewer to the correct state for prayer or meditation.
This is probably the most remarkable experience you can have with a Bonsai?

When I was twenty-eight I was confronted with a very serious condition. I discovered that I had Multiple Schlerosis and suddenly my world fell apart. My carear was finished and an uncertain future with diminishing faculties lay ahead. After a period of walking difficulties, then using a walking stick and five years ago being confined to a wheelchair, I had to sell part of my bonsai collection to be able to pay for modifications to my house. The tremendous help from my wonderful wife has brought me to where I am now. I was also able to motivate myself to view everything positively. What is certain is that my Bonsai hobby has helped me.

I can recommend to everyone to begin with Bonsai or to further expand their knowledge.
You will get much back for the energy you invest.

Photographs

All photographs are clickable

	Ulmus chinensis (Chinese Elm) I found this tree in a bad state of neglect at a nursery. They had decided it wasn't growing high enough and ut had to go. "Thank you, Mr.Nursery-man". The tree is now +/- 24 years old and grows in beauty. It has a fabulous (double-)trunk (not a two-trunk) and changes its character with the seasons.
	Crataegus laevigata "Paul's Scarlet (Meidoorn) Starter material from a meadow. The farmer thought I was mad. "The cows have been chewing on it for 30 years" he said unbeleivingly. "What do want with that shriveld junk". I made some severe changes to it in the last 10 years. Once the neighours boy knock the top of with his football and broke the original pot. After shouting at the boy for a long time, I was actually pleased with the result he had achieved. The crown is now much lower and the balance is much better. The trunk has a wonderful sabamiki (trunk wound) that makes it look very old.
	Betula utilis (Himalayan Birch) This is the top of an old Birch. In nature, in open grond, an old birch will turn a sort of pale pink color after about 20 years. This tree is already white at the bottom. An impressive tree with a majestic appearance.
	Picea abies (Sparreden) I took this over from Lars de Liefde as start material, and it has grown to be a good Bonsai. The bark impresses everyone and creates a pleasing effect throughout the year with it's fresh green colours.
	Pinus Cembra (Alpine Pine) This tree was "public's favourite" at a large Koya exhibition in Oegstgeest, Holland. The trunk is, in places, 22cm round.The narrowing in the rough bark is the result of a old wiring. The tree has grown around it. This tree has earned it's pension. It is 67 years old. It is Kengai style (waterfall) and indeed the top three layers look like the mist cloud which hangs above a waterfall.

Juniperes procumbens "nana" 12 years ago I spotted this tree during a demonstration week in Assen (Northern Holland) at a Garden Center. The personel had seen me demonstrating on smaller trees for several days. As a joke the presented me with this tree and challenged me to .. "see if you can do something with this one!". The label said it was already 38 years old, so it will be 50 this year!

Cedrus deodara (ceder) One of the first demonstration trees for a group of students. About 15 years ago, I formed this bonsai in a couple of hours from a Garden Center tree from Gerrit Scholten in Boskoop. The tree is now 35 years old and the biggest in my collection.

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