K.A. Rutledge

David,

"However, I'm afraid if we convince the bonsai likers that one must be very articitcally inclined to even begin, we'll chase many away."

I agree. However, it was/is never my intention to suggest that one has to be an expert on things from the start. We're all here learning, even the most competent among us. We all start with a relatively low level of understanding and ability and have to progress at whatever rate we choose/can.

What I suggest, in this essay and in many posts, is that while we don't yet have a firm grasp on all of the aspects of artistry and/or bonsai we don't have any business proclaiming what is right or wrong or effective or ineffective or appropriate or inappropriate or artistic or unartistic, etc... because we invariably get it wrong because we have no idea what we're talking about. When such proclamations are spouted as fact and other beginners among us believe us, we harm our endeavor (and many more besides).

you write:
"This art thing is also interesting given that so many of us have technical training, especially in engineering and sceince. Why then bonsai?"

I'm sorry, but I can't tell what you're asking here. Can you elaborate? Thanks.

Kind regards
Andy Rutledge
zone 8, Texas