MBS

Artist, teacher, horticulturist, dancer, poet, tree-collector---Jim wears many hats, but mostly he is interested in a life filled with plants and art in all of its forms. In 1973, with a B.S. degree in horticulture from Delaware Valley College of Science and Agriculture, Jim Doyle started Nature`s Way Nursery and developed an early interest in Asian culture and plants. By 1980, through the influence of Chase Rosade, bonsai passed from being a hobby to a business/life-style.

Jim Doyle has been acquainted with bonsai since 1973 and actively involved with all aspects of bonsai on a daily basis since 1984. He is the founder and owner of Nature’s Way Nursery, in Harrisburg, PA, which offers classes, tools, material and books. He travels extensively to lecture and demonstrate on bonsai and Japanese garden design. He is committed to seeing bonsai elevated from hobby status to the art form that it is. Jim is a founder of the Susquehanna bonsai and believes that the best trees come from naturally- aged, collected material.

Today, along with his teaching, Jim continues to import bonsai, pots, tools and related garden items. He also continues learning by teaching and observing bonsai all over the world. He had the honor of having one of his trees chosen to be in the U.S. National Arboretum, American bonsai pavilion. One of his students is also the assistant curator. Jim`s favorite tree is, of course, the one he is working on.

Mr. Doyle has a very spiritual approach to bonsai. He stresses that Bonsai is the only living art, and it is always changing. There is Discovery with bonsai: see a tree for the first time, collect it, bring it home, and maybe someday it will be a bonsai. Inspiration: see something in a tree, what are its possibilities in 5, 10 or more years? Jim still has his very first tree. It’s dead, but he keeps it for its lessons. Essence: a bonsai as it has developed with the ideas you put into the tree is a strong element of why we do bonsai. Your tree evolves and becomes more. A tree could have spiritual value. Trees grow up toward the sun; they have a desire to grow and flourish. Continuation: This is a living art, always ongoing. The tree will keep growing, even past our life times.

He was our presenter and workshop artist in 2007, is a frequent visitor to our area and can be found every year at the Chicago Shows. In 2022 he was also our honored guest at the MBS Annual Exhibit.