ZealFish

Past Events & Workshops

Bonsai at Botanicals – A Look Back

On September 26, 2026, we gathered at Botanicals of Clear Lake Shores for an afternoon of bonsai, creativity, and plenty of laughter. Our Orientation to Bonsai workshop brought curious beginners together to explore their trees, ask questions, share ideas, and get their hands in the soil. It was an interactive, fun-filled start to the bonsai journey—with care and confidence at the heart of every step.

Orientation to Bonsai — Starting the Bonsai Journey

Saturday, September 26, 2026 • 2:00–4:00 PM
Botanicals of Clear Lake Shores

What Our Hosts & Participants Had to Say

I’m impressed with the thorough presentation! Fantastic workshop!
— Botanicals of Clear Lake Shores

My favorite part was definitely learning all the instructions. Once the concepts are broken down and “doable” it doesn’t seem so mysterious

— Steve Turnbow

My favorite part was taking risks and choosing which part of the tree would be my apex. Cool class!
— Alyssa Holmes

What They Learned

During the workshop, participants learned how to:

Recognize the potential in nursery stock, including single-tree, multi-trunk, and forest designs. Choose a front, consider an apex, and sketch a direction for their tree. Prepare a bonsai pot with drainage screen and anchor wires. Position and secure their tree, then settle soil around the roots. Understand pruning, gentle wiring, and the tropical “clip and grow” approach. Care for their bonsai afterward—with health before design as the guiding principle.

This Orientation to Bonsai tropical workshop also included:

Learn the foundations of bonsai.
Observe the tree and discover its natural movement.
Select a possible front and make a simple sketch.
Understand individual, group, forest and root-over-rock compositions.
Transplant a Ficus benjamina into a flatter rectangular bonsai pot.
Learn how tropical training differs from traditional structural wiring.
Leave with a practical aftercare plan.

Orientation to Bonsai Student educational materials — Example of Orientation to Bonsai – Student Educational Kit

This beginner-friendly workshop is designed to help you start your bonsai journey with knowledge, confidence and respect for the living tree.

Bring the Bonsai Experience to Your Group!

A little soil, a little imagination, and a whole lot of discovery! ZealFish Studio brings people together for hands-on bonsai workshops filled with learning, laughter, and creative possibilities. No experience needed—just curiosity and a willingness to get your hands dirty.

Want to host a workshop at your nursery, club, business, or private gathering? Contact ZealFish Studio to discuss your group, venue, and dates.

Let’s grow something extraordinary together!

Education and Demonstration White Linen 2026 — ZealFish “Bones” Turnbow – League City While Linen Public Demonstration 2026

2026 League City White Linen

ZealFish Studio’s – Gallery Goes Mobile!

Our 4th annual edition was the grandest show yet! We expanded to a double booth and included a demonstration area for presentation to the general public. We had more traffic than previous years and sales were brisk of sculptures, artifact art, paintings, fetishes, beadworks and bonsai.

2025 League City White Linen

ZealFish Studio’s – Gallery Expanded!

Our 3rd edition was first year to hold a live bonsai demonstration for the general public. The response was amazing as so many people reached out to us afterwards for more information and relationships in the Botanicals community were forged.

ZealFish Studio Support Team and Patrons or the Arts!!!

2024 League City White Linen

ZealFish Studio – Full House!

Our 2nd edition was year of inception of collaboration. Artists Alyssa Holmes, Keagan Turnbow, Lincoln Holmes, and Liam Wimmer joined ZealFish. Each brought their own unique and special works to the show. Our booth was a full and fun mobile gallery or works.