Living with Penjing:  Three Dimensional Poetry
2 March, 2019        
​9:30 am - 11:00 am 
Penjing is "a living antique and a living art, a painting and a living sculpture"..."Living in the Northwest, we have an advantage with our wet climate, the mountains and the ocean. These things draw much inspiration into the art of penjing." - Mark Vossbrink

Reaching back to at least the 1st century AD, Penjing is the ancient Chinese art of depicting artistically formed trees, plants, and landscapes in miniature. These small-scale creations of carefully pruned foliage and rocks reflect an appreciation for the natural world. Influenced by philosophical principles of Taoism, the artistic composition captures the spirit of nature and poetically distinguishes them from ordinary potted plants. Join us for a creative experience as Mark Vossbrink demonstrates how a miniaturized landscape is developed in a shallow tray through the careful selection and placement of rocks along with small live plants and water.

About the speaker: An expert in penjing, Mark Vossbrink received a Fine Arts degree at the University in Oregon, specializing in ceramics. There in Eugene he established Rainy Day Flowers which he operated for over 35 years, eventually moving location to Portland. A member of the Bonzai Internationl Club and the Bonzai Society of Portland, he has shared his skill and knowledge in public talks and teaching at the Portland Parks and Recreation for more than 15 years with classes in bonsai and floral design. Many of the bonsai and penjing pieces seen at the Lan Su Garden have been donated by Mark, where he's also volunteered and lectured. ​
Images from our presentation:
​(Click on image for an enlarged view)

​Many thanks to Northwest China Council for their continuing technical support.
​Our educational program series has been developed in collaboration with PSU’s Institute for Asian Studies, and is free and open to the public.​  First Saturday PDX  current full season schedule and descriptions available HERE.  

View our regular monthly location by clicking on the address below for directions:  
Portland State University, Academic & Student Recreation Ctr (ASRC),  Room 230
1800 SW 6th Ave, Portland OR 97201
Excellent MAX and bus transportation is right by the venue; plan your Trimet trip HERE.   There is also a nearby parking structure at SW 6th and Harrison with an entrance on 6th Avenue is also available.
View PSU Parking info:  
https://www.pdx.edu/transportation/hourly-visitor-parking​​​