bonsaiTALK Community - View Single Post - We Need a Revival: the Case Against Master Weekends

I have been to master demos. I have been to master workshops where you get a couple hours divided amongst 10-15 people. I think they are a waste of time and money from my personal experiences so far. The best money I have spent is in lessons day long with an accomplished artist in a small group. even better than that for the value is simply the help and experience I have received from my fellow club members. Sure I don't mind seeing the master create a work of art, I just don't learn anything from it, or the couple hours where he runs around frantically helping everyone style their tree, doing most of the work, and you end up with a semi started/finished product. Ho-hum.

Instead, the greater value for me was where I brought several peices of material to work in a day long sessions, where I received tons one on one personal attention, direction, and did tons myself, and had it critiqued and corrected.
I would love to spend a weeks vacation or more doing just this, everyday. I do wish I could attend Boon's or Lewis' school. Perhaps it's in the future.

14-Jun-2005	#12
Ralph BonsaiTalk Master B.S.er Join Date: Jun-2002 Location: Richardson, Texas Country: God Bless America USDA Zone: 8 AHS Heat Zone: 9 Posts: 1,285	I have been to master demos. I have been to master workshops where you get a couple hours divided amongst 10-15 people. I think they are a waste of time and money from my personal experiences so far. The best money I have spent is in lessons day long with an accomplished artist in a small group. even better than that for the value is simply the help and experience I have received from my fellow club members. Sure I don't mind seeing the master create a work of art, I just don't learn anything from it, or the couple hours where he runs around frantically helping everyone style their tree, doing most of the work, and you end up with a semi started/finished product. Ho-hum. Instead, the greater value for me was where I brought several peices of material to work in a day long sessions, where I received tons one on one personal attention, direction, and did tons myself, and had it critiqued and corrected. I would love to spend a weeks vacation or more doing just this, everyday. I do wish I could attend Boon's or Lewis' school. Perhaps it's in the future. __________________ Emerging from winter slumber Bonsai trees burst buds anew Spring is upon us! -Paul S.