The path to developing Artistic Bonsai is a rough one with may dead ends, curves, forks, and incorrect road signs. Navigating this path from the beginning starting point is difficult at best, impossible at the worst. Many students of Bonsai are either stuck at a dead end, confused at a fork, going down an unmarked trail, doubling back, or have just given up on ever finding the way.

For the sake of clarification here we will call this destination “Nirvana” and define this destination as obtaining the knowledge and ability to consistently create Artistic Bonsai. To have reached a point beyond horticultural ability and basic “paint by numbers” design in which one is truly creating the four-dimensional art we call Bonsai.

Many beginners and those stuck somewhere along the road claim that their goal is not Nirvana and that they are simply out for a drive with no destination in mind at all. I do not believe this to be true and we will cover that subject further in a minute, but first let’s assume that it is indeed true. These same people who claim not to have a destination are giving advice and teaching on forums and elsewhere, by there own definition, they are giving advice on how to go nowhere without a destination in mind and also teaching this to newcomers which is just wrong. If one is unable to advance in this art, they should not teach others how to grow stagnant also.

However, as I mentioned earlier, I do not find this belief that one’s goal is not Nirvana valid. If this was indeed true, then why would one wire, prune, trim, or care at all? One could simply place a plant in a pot and forget it, no goals, no worries, and no destination. Let’s be honest here, who doesn’t want their plants to improve? Who doesn’t want to have plants that turn into bonsai? Who doesn’t try to make their plants better from year to year? You see, we all have the same destination; some of us are simply farther along the path than the others for now. Some of us are speeding and some are taking their sweet old time but all have the same destination in mind, realistically who wouldn’t create world-class bonsai if they could?

The road to Nirvana also has many potholes and roadblocks that the serious student must navigate around. The inexperienced person who has not created an artistic bonsai yet that gives advice on how to do so, the teacher who has no artistic results of his own who attempts to teach how to create artistic bonsai, the bonsaist who screams “elitist” at any mention of the word art, and the students who insist on ignoring the words of the masters and hold up traffic while driving slow in the fast lane.

Solutions? Follow the paths of those who have traveled it, those who have created world-class bonsai, those who have the results to show for their experience. Beware of any advice that comes without hands on experience and results. And remember that it is okay to drive slowly, just not in the fast lane.



Will Heath

Will,

Interesting article.

I agree with your sentiments. Let us learn from those who can, and ignore those who can't. Hopefully, along the way we can also help others.

I still maintain that the only thing worse than an elite, is the lack of an elite. Other people decide who is the elite, but it is important that we have one. Egalitarianism has no place in any art.

Regards,

Fish.

I seem to agree with your thoughts a lot just lately (just don't think I am one of the nodding dogs on the dashboard though ).

Everything you wrote here makes perfect sense to me, but lets not forget to give the guys in the slow lane a friendly wave and challenge them to a race. They may surprise us along the way and (god forbid) overtake.

Mike

I'm still sitting in the slow lane with my blinker on, hoping somebody will let me in. It is always the people already in the fast lane that us slowpokes should listen to and learn from. I look forward to learning from you, and the others on this forum who have made it into the "fast lane." Also, I hope all the beginners like myself out there will never quit trying to learn from you guys; I know I'll never be caught driving with my cruise control on. Great piece, Will
JDL

Scary isn't it? LOL.

I always make sure I let the guys in the slow lane know they are number 1.

Will