Earl

Andy, you wrote:

"There are all kinds of levels of appreciation and there are all kinds of levels of artistic success. Some art is poor and some is magnificent. Good art is (usually) based primarily on great craft. Recognizing the craft in the art in no way detracts from or diminishes the art - and in no way means that it is not art, but merely craft. Don't try to imply a separation of craft and art because there is none. Without the one, there is not the other."

I totally agree and you said it much better than I did. I didn't mean to imply a seperation, only that we (or at least I should say "I") often concentrate on the craft portion (that is certainly necessary) to the neglect of the art, or the mystical connection to nature, of the feeling, or the mood, that we hope our art inspires.

Tony wrote:
"If bonsai only means plantings in a tray then most anything can qualify as long as it's in a shallow pot or something that looks like a tray."

I stick by what I said. To say planting in a tray can include anything is like saying any old tree in a pot will make a bonsai. It is the artistry and craft in either that distinguish it from any old planting, not the woody tree as oppossed to grass, rocks, figures or whatever.

Gary your quote is wonderful and says exactly what I'm trying to convey with other words. I won't repeat it all again, but Murata nailed it. I'm going to have to find that book!

Thanks for the interesting discussion. It seems like this one has gone beyond the usual debates. At least it has caused me to reconsider my goals and aspirations in my art.

Earl