I wonder if anything really worked?
Some came close:
1) The Lenz & Hull display wasn't terrible, although Juniper conveys a wild mountain image and the cattail accents aren't exactly native to that environment, but the proportions and spacing were fair, so I will give it a B-
http://pictures.bonsaitalk.com/showphoto.php?photo=278
2) The Bald Cypress seems to work fairly well. Using a similar wood and the rough-hewn edges seem to recall the environment. I am not partial to this style in bonsai, but I am not native to that swamp area either. I will say B
http://pictures.bonsaitalk.com/showphoto.php?photo=277
3) This weeping Ota Tamarisk with the mushroom thing... well the fungus look might be starting to grow on me. Another B-, but I like it a tiny bit better every time I see it.
http://pictures.bonsaitalk.com/showphoto.php?photo=280
4) The Cunningham sumac has some real interest to it, in my opinion. Sure the apex of the tree and painting converge, but at least there is some contrary motion between the image and the trunkline. I think I'll rate this the highest of the series: B+
http://pictures.bonsaitalk.com/showphoto.php?photo=279
Regards,
Matt