bonsaiTALK Community - View Single Post - Trees Through Human Eyes: Rutledge On Design

As I grow with, and learn thru my bonsai. I have come to a point in the life of my interest where I "see" why there are principles and how when used (strike that) when UNDERSTOOD while creating, a finer result is made.
I am one to have argued til I was blue in the face, that a rigid following of "rules" would present one with a "cookie cutter" styled bonsai. Trees that look exactly the same. I wandered/strayed from the principles with the rebellious notion that not all of them or any of them for that matter, pertained to my trees. The result was a less than desireable bonsai. In the last few years, when I have applied myself to learning and understanding the principles, I have found that they deliver. They deliver a better bonsai. I am creating better bonsai, and better yet, I am at ease with what I am doing. What I look for, what I do as far as pruning, wiring and styling falls into place like a nice looking puzzle. This puzzle in turn tells a story of creation, life, and even death. Death not to the whole tree, but parts of the tree, from life of young branches thru its stages of life til its a majestic and grande natural living thing.

Andy, bravo zulu to you. A great article.

Paul

31-Aug-2002	#4
pdbbonsai Paul Berish Join Date: Jun-2002 Location: north shore of Lake Superior Country: Minnesota USDA Zone: 3/4 AHS Heat Zone: ? Posts: 1,197	As I grow with, and learn thru my bonsai. I have come to a point in the life of my interest where I "see" why there are principles and how when used (strike that) when UNDERSTOOD while creating, a finer result is made. I am one to have argued til I was blue in the face, that a rigid following of "rules" would present one with a "cookie cutter" styled bonsai. Trees that look exactly the same. I wandered/strayed from the principles with the rebellious notion that not all of them or any of them for that matter, pertained to my trees. The result was a less than desireable bonsai. In the last few years, when I have applied myself to learning and understanding the principles, I have found that they deliver. They deliver a better bonsai. I am creating better bonsai, and better yet, I am at ease with what I am doing. What I look for, what I do as far as pruning, wiring and styling falls into place like a nice looking puzzle. This puzzle in turn tells a story of creation, life, and even death. Death not to the whole tree, but parts of the tree, from life of young branches thru its stages of life til its a majestic and grande natural living thing. Andy, bravo zulu to you. A great article. Paul __________________ It is essential to experience all the times and moods of one good place. (Thomas Merton) BonsaiTalk is one good place. (me)