Sergio Cuan

Sergio Cuan is a Cuban-American visual artist who graduated with a BFA in Art and Design from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY. He has a passion for painting and horticulture alike. Early on, once he realized that bonsai was an ideal synthesis of painting and horticulture, he became fascinated with bonsai as an art form. Sergio is largely self-taught. However, he has consulted with prominent bonsai masters to further his own bonsai education and skills. Although he works with a variety of conifers, he has developed a particular interest and passion for a wide range of deciduous species, including maple, elm and beech, among many others. Sergio travels throughout the United States giving in-person lectures, demos, and workshops. In addition, he offers virtual consultations and digital bonsai design services. He has also started to conduct workshops from his own studio and garden in northern New Jersey. Sergio believes that the practice of bonsai is an intimate and continued dialogue between artist and nature and that the tree itself must be the guide.

Rafael Torres

Rafael Torres is a recognized bonsai professional from Spain. He owns his own bonsai nursery – Bonsaisense – located in Mallorca, Spain and runs an International Bonsai School that offers workshops and classes to groups and individuals interested in learning more about bonsai. Rafael feels very lucky to be able to work on what he is most passionate and to be able to help others enjoy and appreciate the art of bonsai. Being an experienced bonsai professional Rafael is often called upon to consult with numerous private bonsai collections. He is well traveled and has lectured and demonstrated in countries throughout Europe (e.g., Spain, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Poland) as well as in South Africa and Australia. The species that Rafael likes to work with the most are the junipers, pines and olives. He especially enjoys working with yamadori because of their “free spirits” which, in Rafael’s words: “allow one to be creative above and beyond established bonsai rules.” In the interest of full disclosure, Rafael, due to his experience and knowledge often finds himself working with many varieties of trees and ending up loving each and every one.

Boon Manakitivipart began his bonsai journey over 30 years ago. He has studied and worked with bonsai masters for extended periods of time in the United States and Japan. Boon has won numerous awards and recognitions, both nationally and internationally for his work on bonsai. Boon's passion is bonsai education—both learning and teaching. He is known for his innovative techniques, unique bonsai styling, creative teaching methods, and his willingness to share. Boon’s goal is to share his bonsai expertise and knowledge with other bonsai enthusiasts. Boon prefers to work directly with customers and regular clients. He sponsors study groups and workshops across America. He gets great satisfaction when his students attain success. Several have become acclaimed bonsai artists and teachers in their own right. Boon also consults on the setup and maintenance of public and private collections around the world. He started his own business, Bonsai Boon, in 1998.

Boon Manakitivipart began his bonsai journey over 30 years ago. He has studied and worked with bonsai masters for extended periods of time in the United States and Japan. Boon has won numerous awards and recognitions, both nationally and internationally for his work on bonsai. Boon's passion is bonsai education—both learning and teaching. He is known for his innovative techniques, unique bonsai styling, creative teaching methods, and his willingness to share. Boon’s goal is to share his bonsai expertise and knowledge with other bonsai enthusiasts. Boon prefers to work directly with customers and regular clients. He sponsors study groups and workshops across America. He gets great satisfaction when his students attain success. Several have become acclaimed bonsai artists and teachers in their own right. Boon also consults on the setup and maintenance of public and private collections around the world. He started his own business, Bonsai Boon, in 1998.

Sergio Cuan

Sergio Cuan is a Cuban-American visual artist who graduated with a BFA in Art and Design from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY. He has a passion for painting and horticulture alike. Early on, once he realized that bonsai was an ideal synthesis of painting and horticulture, he became fascinated with bonsai as an art form. Sergio is largely self-taught. However, he has consulted with prominent bonsai masters to further his own bonsai education and skills. Although he works with a variety of conifers, he has developed a particular interest and passion for a wide range of deciduous species, including maple, elm and beech, among many others. Sergio travels throughout the United States giving in-person lectures, demos, and workshops. In addition, he offers virtual consultations and digital bonsai design services. He has also started to conduct workshops from his own studio and garden in northern New Jersey. Sergio believes that the practice of bonsai is an intimate and continued dialogue between artist and nature and that the tree itself must be the guide.

Rafael Torres

Rafael Torres is a recognized bonsai professional from Spain. He owns his own bonsai nursery – Bonsaisense – located in Mallorca, Spain and runs an International Bonsai School that offers workshops and classes to groups and individuals interested in learning more about bonsai. Rafael feels very lucky to be able to work on what he is most passionate and to be able to help others enjoy and appreciate the art of bonsai. Being an experienced bonsai professional Rafael is often called upon to consult with numerous private bonsai collections. He is well traveled and has lectured and demonstrated in countries throughout Europe (e.g., Spain, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Poland) as well as in South Africa and Australia. The species that Rafael likes to work with the most are the junipers, pines and olives. He especially enjoys working with yamadori because of their “free spirits” which, in Rafael’s words: “allow one to be creative above and beyond established bonsai rules.” In the interest of full disclosure, Rafael, due to his experience and knowledge often finds himself working with many varieties of trees and ending up loving each and every one.