Jay

Howard, Andy and others, let me give you my 2 cents. I have been 'doing' bonsai for less than five years. I am a novice with a little (read little with small letters) knowledge. I enjoy my trees and looking at the works of others, both masters and those more advanced than I. My trees are progressing with the knowledge I have obtained through books, demos, and lectures. Some of these were taught by traditional artists others were not.

A few givens to me:
1- This forum does have a high percentage of novice members, most eager to learn.
2- When we are young (or new to something) we very often try to push the limits of what is the norm (remember the teenage years).
3- Something that has been developed for years (centuries) by others (Japanese and Chinese) has managed to weed out the bad and keep the good.
4- Exploration of new ground is not a bad thing, but does not neccessarily always come out positive (or negative).
5- Challenging the norm-rules-conventions will only make them stronger, or show where they can be altered.
6- etc etc

My 2 cents
Jay

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A Bonsai student living with his trees at N 44.37 W 77.49...
Think before you act... then think again... no good comes from rushing