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I disagree with the "us verus them mentality" that you appear to suppose in your article. When I began to become familiar with bonsai 4 years ago, like many, I had no education on bonsai as an art form, to me it was these plants that grew in pots usually by asian people on the side of the road. It was something that Pat Marita did in a movie. I had little interest in this. Then I saw an exhibition put on by my club, and I saw real bonsai for the first time. I saw how they were presented, and I talked with club members, some professional artists, and some backyard hobbyists. While this was an enlightening introduction to bonsai as an art, I still had no idea how to go about producing bonsai myself. I did not decide to pursue bonsai at that time, in fact it was a year or so later, when my fancy was taken by one of those roadside junipers. I still did not think to myself, now I have a bonsai, and I will learn to create my own bonsai. No, I began scouring the internet, looking for care information for this plant. I rather suspect that is how many of us get our feet wet so to speak.
When I found the forum in May 2002, I began to read more about all aspects of bonsai, and my interest began to grow from a desire to learn to take care of a plant, to learn more about how to do bonsai in its entirety. I registered in June, and my introduction said something about learning if this was a hobby for me.
I invested in tools, books, and began to read more, I acquired nursery stock, much of it not well suited for a beginner learning how to create bonsai, but I kept trying.
In late 2003, I took perhaps my most quantifiable step to moving in a more serious direction in my development when a forum member here, and really terrific artist invited me to attend a meeting of the Bonsai Society of Dallas. Like many thriving clubs, ours is a mixture of professional artists, collectors, and hobbyists, of all varying levels and walks of life.
In 2005, I am once again elevating what bonsai is for me. I beleive that what I have learned to date has given me the tools to care for and create more artistic bonsai. I have a strong desire to become more involved in shows, and displaying my material. I will take private lessons this year. I have begun constructing several benches, grow beds, and procurring items that will allow me to take better care of my plant material. I have secured permission from a number of landowners, and will collect more stock from the wild this year (in fact, I will be on digs for the next 3 weekends straight).
I know that I will never be as good as some of my fellow club members, and for me bonsai will always be somewhere between art and hobby, but it will be what I want from bonsai, and it's likely to continue to grow and change over the years. I will meet my needs, and satisfy myself, and in return, I will share back with the bonsai community, and maybe introduce more acolytes who will find their own way.
Bonsai doesn't have to be, and should not be an us versus them mentality. Bonsai is and should be differing people from all walks of life, doing bonsai at all levels.
It shouldn't frustrate to the point of anger those that desire to develop more artistically, that someone else just wants to grow trees in their backyard, and share their experiences with others.
I am thankful that more experienced people such as Al, Thomas J., Matt , and so many more of you have taken the time to share with me and all the rest of us from your own pool of wisdom. Thanks for the community.

26-Jan-2005	#6
Ralph BonsaiTalk Master B.S.er Join Date: Jun-2002 Location: Richardson, Texas Country: God Bless America USDA Zone: 8 AHS Heat Zone: 9 Posts: 1,285	I disagree with the "us verus them mentality" that you appear to suppose in your article. When I began to become familiar with bonsai 4 years ago, like many, I had no education on bonsai as an art form, to me it was these plants that grew in pots usually by asian people on the side of the road. It was something that Pat Marita did in a movie. I had little interest in this. Then I saw an exhibition put on by my club, and I saw real bonsai for the first time. I saw how they were presented, and I talked with club members, some professional artists, and some backyard hobbyists. While this was an enlightening introduction to bonsai as an art, I still had no idea how to go about producing bonsai myself. I did not decide to pursue bonsai at that time, in fact it was a year or so later, when my fancy was taken by one of those roadside junipers. I still did not think to myself, now I have a bonsai, and I will learn to create my own bonsai. No, I began scouring the internet, looking for care information for this plant. I rather suspect that is how many of us get our feet wet so to speak. When I found the forum in May 2002, I began to read more about all aspects of bonsai, and my interest began to grow from a desire to learn to take care of a plant, to learn more about how to do bonsai in its entirety. I registered in June, and my introduction said something about learning if this was a hobby for me. I invested in tools, books, and began to read more, I acquired nursery stock, much of it not well suited for a beginner learning how to create bonsai, but I kept trying. In late 2003, I took perhaps my most quantifiable step to moving in a more serious direction in my development when a forum member here, and really terrific artist invited me to attend a meeting of the Bonsai Society of Dallas. Like many thriving clubs, ours is a mixture of professional artists, collectors, and hobbyists, of all varying levels and walks of life. In 2005, I am once again elevating what bonsai is for me. I beleive that what I have learned to date has given me the tools to care for and create more artistic bonsai. I have a strong desire to become more involved in shows, and displaying my material. I will take private lessons this year. I have begun constructing several benches, grow beds, and procurring items that will allow me to take better care of my plant material. I have secured permission from a number of landowners, and will collect more stock from the wild this year (in fact, I will be on digs for the next 3 weekends straight). I know that I will never be as good as some of my fellow club members, and for me bonsai will always be somewhere between art and hobby, but it will be what I want from bonsai, and it's likely to continue to grow and change over the years. I will meet my needs, and satisfy myself, and in return, I will share back with the bonsai community, and maybe introduce more acolytes who will find their own way. Bonsai doesn't have to be, and should not be an us versus them mentality. Bonsai is and should be differing people from all walks of life, doing bonsai at all levels. It shouldn't frustrate to the point of anger those that desire to develop more artistically, that someone else just wants to grow trees in their backyard, and share their experiences with others. I am thankful that more experienced people such as Al, Thomas J., Matt , and so many more of you have taken the time to share with me and all the rest of us from your own pool of wisdom. Thanks for the community. __________________ Emerging from winter slumber Bonsai trees burst buds anew Spring is upon us! -Paul S.