mkonig

I am not sure if it is the spirit of the "process" of bonsai that differs between the Eastern and Western styles, but tend to think that it is the essence and spirit of the trees that are used in the process.
For myself, having tried to understand the way bonsai is practiced in Japan, and having tried for many years to create and style my trees from examples of japanese trees, I have miserably failed to produce even one example of an acceptable bonsai. What was missing for me was the cultural background and the insight into the nature of the japanese environment.
However, once I started looking at the amazing trees in my own back yard (Britain and Germany) I found that the spirit of those trees spoke a diffent language. Working with trees that enable me to express the nature and essence the trees that I "know", have allowed me to achieve some quite acceptable trees.
I am afraid that I do not get too hung up about art and technique, in my view, that is the domain of the top 10% of bonsai artists in both the east and the west. I enjoy bonsai because it brings me close to nature and gives me time for contemplation and relaxation.

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