I don't think it's important how someone thinks of themselves when they engage in an activity of any sort. I ride my bike without thinking of myself as a bicyclist, I write articles and reviews without considering myself a journalist, I cook and eat elaborate meals without pondering whether or not I am a gourmand or a chef (although I've heard that the difference between a cook and a chef is that cooks do the dishes afterward), and I own miniature trees in pots without worrying over whether I am an artist or a bonsaiist or a craftsman. Come to think of it, I paint and draw without wondering if I'm an artist.

I'm Dan. I do a bunch of stuff. Bonsai is one of the things I do. If it makes someone else feel better to think of me as an artist, go ahead.

You got me on a couple of those questions. I don't have a gallery on here, nor have I shared more than a couple of photos of my trees. I'm not ashamed of them - but after posting the first one and asking for help, the lack of response left me feeling like the tree was not worthy of it. I realize now, there probably wasn't much that would have helped the tree. I had accidentally over fertilized it, and the roots were burned. It had a slow death. The sad thing is - it had the most potential of any of my trees. The trunk and nebari were incredible.

I have numerous bonsai books, several magazines, and always read things I can to improve my knowledge on the subject. Until I got on this forum, I thought my trees were pretty nice. A lot of the older books show bonsai that would be considered a "stick in a pot," by most of the folks on here. My concept of the art of bonsai continues to change, the longer I am involved in it. I am in awe of the talent and insight that is shared here.

I don't lack the motivation for competition. I just know that at this point in time, I don't have any trees that I could compete with. I can't wait for Spring, when the local nurseries will be loaded with lots of stock to choose from.

You and Walter made a good point about the money spent on the endeavor of bonsai. I'm up there in the range, that I better darn well be in this for more than a simple hobby, or I've tossed away a lot of money for nothing! I have quite an array of pots, professional grade tools, and miscellaneous supplies. I've loaded myself up with everything but the raw stock to work with. But, I will follow one of my favorite sayings..."onward through the fog!"

BTW Dan - I like the way you think about things.

Marsha

I'm with you on that one Marsha.

I thought my little ficus was pretty cool till I started seeing the trees presented here. Now I consider it practice material.

I started bonsai cause I thought it would get me in good with the ladies....BUT..


...where are they? I am Joking. I am an artist. A lousy one at that. But I enjoy it. So it must be that it is a hobby. I dont lock myself in the basement for 90 hours and come up with one masterpiece and fourteen pieces of crap. That would be a painter, or a sculpture. My art comes thru over time. Whether it is to be a masterpiece is determined thru my eyes at the beginning of the material. I believe then and only then is the where the art and artist become "alive". Knowing where the material is going, seeing its future and story come together through simple techniques such as wire, pruning, lime sulphur and a great pot.

For the fun of it. I picked up an Art theory book and substituted the word "bonsai" for the word "art". I got dizzy and puked. It didnt work as well as when I substituted the word "art" for the word "bonsai" in my bonsai (art) books.

Al ---great thread

Paul

LOL - here we go again! Good one - made me chuckle!

Rene raised the issue of "making time" for bonsai. This is something that I have been thinking about - especially at this time when new years resolutions are in the air. I have been thinking about the time we spend on this forum (and others and other bonsai related sites - I have a huge favorites list!), the time we spend poring over those books, lusting after and buying those expensive tools and pots and ... and ... and.., attending club meetings and workshops and shows, looking for the perfect tree at every nursery we see, - I could go on but I think I have made the point. AND how much time do we spend actually working on our trees? The obvious answer is "too much time on the former and not enough on the latter" - but that may not be the right answer. What do you think? How much time (hours per week) is too much? Hmm - I feel a poll coming on!

One more thing - without revisiting the whole "is bonsai art?" thread - I do not understand the push to "display" - the same is true in other clubs - orchids for example - the emphasis is alway on getting blooms for the show - for bonsai - - it is the tree, the stand, the scroll, the accent plant - all geared for "the show". I kind of get the tokonama (sp?) concept - and I can appreciate this type of display as Japanese tradition - much as it was outlined in the ume thread by Matt. That makes sense to me - but why the need to display? Is your tree better because you have "showed" it? Are you? I just don't get that.

Walter,



Couldn't agree more..



That's not cynical. It is true. Again, that is the choice my wife and me have made in this point in our life.



I guess the discussion is moving away from bonsai here, but I don't agree... I have had moments during my current job where I indeed was thinking about leaving the job for that reason. At a certain point I had to travel 2 hours + to get to the customer I was working at that moment. That meant I left well before my kids were awake and only saw them for 1/2 hour max in the evening if at all. This went on for almost a year and that was not acceptable for me. Luckily shortly after that I went to work with another customer that was much nearer to my home, but otherwise I am fairly sure I would have quit the job. I might have gotten a less interesting job with lesser pay but I would have been home more often. Of course this is just my personal opinion, and I am not trying to critisize people who do otherwise.

regards, René

As with a lot of other things, bonsai time is balanced with other things we find important in our lives. There is no right or wrong division of time. I mean, it's all subject to other's opinions...but ultimately we do what we do, when we want to or can do it.

Paul,
And just WHO are you calling a lady? I know that I am not a lady and don't want to be associated with one of "those!"

Kidding of course... please excuse me now, I need to go get fitted for my New Year's Eve gown. You know...the one with the little bonsai trees embroidered all over it.

Marsha

Originaly posted by Lee:

NO, the tree is no better, but hopefully you come away from the show better!
What do I mean.
Well, for me it means that I will recieve criticism that I can put to use for making the tree better. I can use the input from the general public for the betterment of my tree.
How does this work?
I'm glad you asked.
First, enter your tree in a public forum. Take your name badge off. Wander around with a group that seems to be talking about all the trees. You know the types. Wander with them so as to not let them think you are guarding the show, Wait till they get to your tree. Open the ears and listen to what they have to say. Sometimes the people that know the least about bonsai, are the people that can spot the simplest flaws. Bonsai people get so wrapped up in the basics that they forget the simple things. We look at things like 1,2,3 branch, ratios, numbers of trunks in group plantings and things like that. While, someone that knows nothing about bonsai may walk up to yousr tree and say, "that tree would look so good if that foliage just filled in that tiny bald spot right there". You are now armed with information that may or maynot make your tree better that it now is. At least now you can go home and do a virtual and check it out to see if it does indeed help the look of the tree.

We do something here in Fresno that is a kick in the pants. When we set the show the day before, when done, we walk the whole show as a group. Whatever size the group may be. We critique each tree. Some will walk with note pads and record things for future articles in the newsletter or website, (thats me) or just walk along and have fun (thats me also). This is valuable information. You don't get this kind of info with your trees sitting in the backyard, reviewed by the owner everyday.

Club workshops are the best at recieving the attention from someone more equipped at giving a true critique of your tree. this type if information is the most valuable.

In the Hanford club that I belong to also, our show is at the Tulare Fair. It is done in the art building. The Hanford club promotes the artistry of bonsai much more then the Fresno club. Each year the show is judged by a club professional from another club out of the area. This last year the Hanford show was judged by Joe James, first vice-president of GSBF. He was asked to not only judge the show, but to also write down some things that would help improve our trees. He wrote 8 pages of notes for all the members. He was not nice about it either. Very tough love.

I entered the shohin display that is posted below. This is the way it was in the show. The only tree that was supposed to be judged was the trident on the bottom shelf. Joe gave me an in-depth critique of the small elm on the top shelf. I have this tree posted in the gallery and thought it was looking pretty good. I was going for a bunjin look. After he told me that my styling fit no known bonsai style, and that the tree had more promising fronts, I decided to take the tree home and see what I could do. I wrote an srticle here in bonsaiTALK about that adventure.

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A close up of said tree.

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What I did was to change the viewing angle of the tree to give more turns in the trunk. I bent up one of the two crowns that Joe told me were not to bonsai rules. I now understand this, and will not make this mistake again. By simply turning the tree, and bending up one branch, the whole attitude of the tree changed. A very subtle yet dramatic move. I like the tree better, and can hardly wait for spring.

Would I have come across this on my own?
How long would it have taken me to see things differently?
Would anyone ever see this had I not decided to use this for a display piece on the stand?

I feel the future look of this tree has been enriched by the thought provoking critique of someone else, and the desire to improve it meant that I was willing to take a chance on the thoughts of someone else.

Bonsai-al

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