Guide To Bonsai Critique

Carl_Bergstrom

Andy's right, Ron. Bonsai isn't a head-to-head domination sport. But if you really want to "prove yourself," I should also point out that Andy has given us a very clear meter of what he knows about bonsai. The Artistic Foundations of Bonsai Design is available at http://www.bonsai365.com/book/index.html

This is far and away the single-most valuable english language resource of its kind that I have seen anywhere on the web. Anyone who wants to prove himself more knowledgable than Andy could well start by trying to come up with something better! Succeed or not, the rest of us will surely benefit from such efforts.

Now Andy doesn't need me to stick up for him, and I don't blame him if he's ticked at me for even butting in - but for my own part I get tired of people telling Andy that no one learns anything from him because of his tone, when I've learned more about the fundamental principles of art and design as applied to bonsai from Andy than I have from the remainder of the posts to this board together. And I've learned these things in what I think is the best of ways. He didn't give me a list of principles, his posts encouraged me to go out and start studying artistic composition seriously.

With my best regards,
Carl

__________________
In love with trees

Advertisement

K.A. Rutledge

Re: "Masked- Martin vs. Dandy Rootage"

Okay, Matt, but I get to wear my yellow spandex tights!






...oh, and a cape.


Kind regards,
Andy Rutledge
zone 8, Texas

Carl_Bergstrom

Dandy Rootage, decked out in full battle regalia and preparing for some serious carving on an old juniper :

__________________
In love with trees

K.A. Rutledge

Thanks Carl, but I said yellow tights.
;-)


Kind regards,
Andy Rutledge
zone 8, Texas

K.A. Rutledge

Carl writes:
"But if you really want to "prove yourself," I should also point out that Andy has given us <snip> ... The Artistic Foundations of Bonsai Design is available at http://www.bonsai365.com/book/index.html "

Yeah, but how do we know that I didn't just copy all that stuff from bonsai books and Ron's own writings? Maybe I don't know jack and just regurgitate what others said last week.

Really, Carl, need to learn to question things. For all you know, that was just my opinion. What, you're not gonna make me prove my validity by suggesting I jump through a hoop or two? How naive of you. You know darn well that Valta Paul is the BonTalk authority. At least seek his assent before making such rash judgments.
;-)

"Anyone who wants to prove himself more knowledgable than Andy could well start by trying to come up with something better! Succeed or not, the rest of us will surely benefit from such efforts."

Um, thanks, but there are plenty more knowledgable folks here. Mine is a fairly narrow field of skill/knowledge. Ron, for instance, can advice folks on the horticulture of tropicals with some authority while I have no business talling anyone how to grow even a ficus. Walter probably has a couple dozen techniques up on me (to start with), Jerry Meislik can grow indoor bonsai that I'd destroy inside of a week and the better grafters on this list likely have a better success rate than I do.

My book presents some stuff on its particular subject and I present stuff on other subjects here from time to time. Yes, I don't present stuff here that is erroneous and I don't pull junk out of my backside. What I don't know, however, could fill a few libraries. Just so we're clear there. Thanks for your vote of confidence, though. ;-)

Kind regards,
Andy

Carl_Bergstrom

Well, for one, it was coherent.



Seriously, though, I don't really care who wins the title of most knowledgable bonsaiTalk poster, you, Ron, or the electronic Dr. Bonsai (with whom I have my disagreements, but I hate to pick on a fellow with neither a brain nor even a corporeal reality!) I just wanted to make it perfectly clear that I for one have learned a heck of a lot from your posts in general and your book in particular. And I do think that if any of those other knowledgable folks feel inclined to do something similar, that would be great for the internet bonsai community.

With my best regards,
Carl

__________________
In love with trees

RonMartin(deceased)

Well I guess a trip to Dallas is out of the question then.
Guess some of us are better at words than deeds.Pity I for one think that it might have been a bit of fun.

TreeBay

Attached Images

dandy_rootage.jpg (17.9 KB, 142 views)

__________________

Want to be a seller on bonsaiAUCTIONS? Get authorized today!

bonsaiTALK: Over 100,005.36 Megabytes Served this Month!

K.A. Rutledge

Oh, Matt. You are a very bad, bad man. I'm going to spend hours devising brave punishments for you. Just you wait.

Kind regards,
Andy Rutledge, who bears no resemblance to any photos posted in this thread. Really.
zone 8, Texas