Soltan, That is a very unusual post considering we are talking about seperating the men from the boys so to speak. Your comparison is absolutely the one determining factor in bonsai. The ability to choose the right material for any givin project. This is very high on my list of important attributes it takes to become profeciant in bonsai. Having talent means nothing if you are starting with stock from Home Depot. Even a novice can probably make a respectable tree from a piece of masterpiece collected material even if they technically do some things wrong.
I inplore each individual to purchase the best poossible stock for projects. Buy something that is almost a no brainer when it comes to initial cuts. Work with something that makes doing bonsai a joy. You will be amazed how fast the learning curve is when the material is top notch. Bonsai does not have to take a long amount of time to have something worthy. Just because a person works on a tree for twenty years and it still looks like a plant from a nursery is not saying to much for the artist.
I am totally blown away when someone takes a piece of virgin material and can make something that looks as if it has been worked on for years. That is respectable and they earn my respect. Then I have seen some trees that have been worked on for decades and they still have no shape in the canopy and the apex looks unworked. I know exactly where they fit in my pecking order, and I respect their replies accordingly
Thanks, Al