Rich Zieminski

Boy that was a long way to get to the point of an on line class. I think that this would be an interesting venture for those that have good digital cameras and can provide multiple views of the starter material and step by step progress as the tree moves from raw stock to finished bonsai.

I still am of the opinion that like in every hobby or profession most of use need some good training in the fundimentals. Then it is strictly practice, practice, practice.

The story comes to mind of the young man in England who wanted to learn how to wire. He bought 10 junipers. Then read about wiring. Each day he wired a tree. After 10 days he unwired each. Then repeated the process. He didn't care if the trees died since the objective was to learn how to wire. He did this for 6 months I think. I do not remember his name but he shortly after this won the best young bonsai artist award in Europe.

I can see that repetition of wiring with attention to how it is done can really enhance one ability and speed in the most basic skill.

Do we have this type of commitment to learn? Maybe some do.

Are formal classes needed? For some, no. For some, yes. Each of us bring to this art form our own set of skills and eyes. But we all need to get the basics some how. Or as one person stated "the mechanics". From there we can explore and push the limits.

Lets give this on-line "class" a shot and see what happens.

Kind of a neat idea.

Richard