Just a random thought

[JudyB]

So sometimes I look at the trees that are masterpieces, or really great material, and I think to myself, what must it be like to work on such a tree? What feelings might that engender? How amazing to be able to work with such a piece of nature art! And then my thoughts are- (and I know that I'm not alone here)- that I will never have anything that approaches these wonderful examples of bonsai that I see in photos, books, exhibitions....
and it can be deflating....

I had a couple days to catch up on early summer work on my trees, and some of the fences that I've been sitting on with a couple trees tossed me off to one or the other side. And one that I've been loathing for a while lost a branch and found it's shine.

Then, I realized that the feeling of working the tree is the same, no matter what the material. It gives a lift to see the shape come forward, or see a branches progression, or a trunk to be almost there... Especially some that did not start as great material, they can surprise you the most when they begin to come around.

I'll most likely still be desirous when I see a great bonsai, but now I know that it's in the motions of caring for and moving toward the best that the tree can be, that the heart of bonsai lies...

 

[october]

Hello Judy...I have had feelings exactly like what you are describing.. I have been in bonsai for about 13 years.. Over the last few years.. I have acquired specimen material that is getting nicer and nicer. What I have been doing is carefully planning my purchases. Simply because I realized that if I did not and would not pony up good amounts of money, I would not be working on the material that I want. Given this reality, my collection is growing incredible slow. I may get 1 or 2 trees in a season.

Chances are that at some point you will get to work with incredible specimens. It might be awhile, maybe you will get the chance to collect something nice. Maybe by saving some money, a little each week for like 6 months, you can get one incredible piece of material. I also cannot just go to the nursery and spend $3000 on a tree.

Personally and like you, I love working on my trees. They are not 400 years old with a 1 foot trunk diameter. However, I have worked with them for years and I am very happy with them. When I show my work, people seem very pleased with it. Even very seasoned bonsai masters, so I must be doing something right.

Rob

 

[bonsai barry]

"Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what are the stars for?”
-- Robert Browning

 

[fredtruck]

I think it's important to keep your mind open and your horizons clear. To a degree, the nature of the original tree is a determining factor, but never underestimate the value of your own vision. Your own vision will determine how much, and how far you can go with any given tree, not your cash reserve. A $12 cutting can become a fabulous bonsai, with the right touch.

 

[Poink88]

I think it's important to keep your mind open and your horizons clear. To a degree, the nature of the original tree is a determining factor, but never underestimate the value of your own vision. Your own vision will determine how much, and how far you can go with any given tree, not your cash reserve. A $12 cutting can become a fabulous bonsai, with the right touch.

This is the clincher though. As with any art....talent, skill, and artistry plays a major role when going beyond the basics.

One can paint all their life and still be a mediocre painter...a prodigy might create a masterpiece in just a few months. Same with bonsai. Starting from a great stock (sadly) is no guarantee you can bring the best out of it.

 

[Ron Dennis]

Hello Judy...I have had feelings exactly like what you are describing.. I have been in bonsai for about 13 years.. Over the last few years.. I have acquired specimen material that is getting nicer and nicer. What I have been doing is carefully planning my purchases. Simply because I realized that if I did not and would not pony up good amounts of money, I would not be working on the material that I want. Given this reality, my collection is growing incredible slow. I may get 1 or 2 trees in a season.

Chances are that at some point you will get to work with incredible specimens. It might be awhile, but maybe a chance to collect something nice or just saving some money, a little each week for like 6 months and you can get one incredible piece of material. I also cannot just go to the nursey and spend $3000 on a tree.

Personally and like you, I love working on my trees. They are not 400 years old, 1 foot trunk diameter trees. However, I have worked with them for years and I am very happy with them. When I show my work, people seemed very pleased with it. Even very sesoned bonsai master, so. I must bedoing something right.

Rob

I believe it takes time to appreciate what you have said. I was always interested in bonsai but due to my job and the travel it entailed, I could not "jump in." I only started three years ago and I made the rookie mistake of thinking "more is better" and bought a lot of trees that I would never consider today. Now I have realized that frequently less is more; therefore, I am trying to decide which trees have any potential and which ones should go away. I realized the inferior trees were taking my time away from the trees that have some degree of potential.

I now ask more questions before committing to a tree and have to admit I am paying a lot more for the tree; however, I am acquiring better trees and enjoying them more.

 

[Dwight]

Hmmmmm .....working on masterpiece material....terrifying !

 

[mcpesq817]

I tell myself that one thing about the masterpieces is that they tend to be very large trees that I won't be able to lift myself, and since I don't have a bunch of apprentices running around, they are sorta impractical for me Beyond that, I just enjoy the journey working with my more humble trees.

That being said, I have been trying to be better about acquiring better quality stock and getting rid of more mediocre stock, and whittling my collection down. Now that I'm a few years into the hobby, and I've experimented and learned from a variety of species using cheaper stock, I feel a little more confident in purchasing more expensive stock. So, while I will never have Kokufu-ten trees, I should have a decent collection in the next ten years that I can enjoy and hopefully be proud of.

 

[JudyB]

I have a one good tree a year strategy, and have had for a number of years now, so am working my way up to better trees.... fewer, but better.

I guess what I was aiming at, is that the connection that we share with our tree creations, is the same no matter what the level of the tree is. Given that we have the skills to keep it healthy, and moving in the right direction, it brings us joy and fulfillment.

 

[Tona]

Hi Judy,
I have had the same thoughts as you. Although I have been working on my trees for years (self taught), I wonder if I will ever have any specimen (show worthy) trees. I cannot afford/justify spending thousands on trees I (I have a family) so I work within my means. I enjoy watching the progression of all my trees. I have too many mediocre trees and should cull the herd and concentrate on just the trees with real potential, however I also have a few old favorites that may not be worthy to a "Bonsai experts" eye. I just enjoy the serenity that come with working on and enjoying my trees.

 

[iant]

Judy I feel the same way. My happiest bonsai moments come when I see that my tree is thriving. It doesn't matter if it's a little one or a better specimen. I haven't been doing it long enough to see a design idea really show it's results so I find that the horticultural successes give me the most satisfaction. I love it when a tree that had it's roots heavily worked on in late winter is thriving in the summer. Also if I decide to cut something back and the tree responds well with new shoots... I'm sure that there's a lot of satisfaction to be had in design successes but for me that's a few years down the road I think.
Ian
p.s. there's also the sad moments when a juniper I root pruned in winter and top pruned and wired in early spring looks very dead by late spring... Should've followed that only one thing a year advice... live and learn!

 

[Attila Soos]

Masterpiece. The word is like the rainbow, you can only see it from the distance, but you can never touch it. It's the proverbial greener grass on the other side of the fence.

You can always see the masterpiece in other people's trees, but never in yours. When you own one, it's just a tree that "you like a lot", it may be one of your favorite trees, but you'd never call it a masterpice. Others may, though. Time will tell.

As others noted in this thread, acquiring great material doesn't guarantee a masterpiece at all. Depending on your abilities, you may take it to a certain level, but that level can vary a great deal. Just like a good salesman who can close a deal, you have to know how to add the "finishing touch". It's the hardest, because it takes artistic vision. One can learn how to build a trunk, and time can be of assistance with that, even if we are slow learners. One can learn how to prune and wire a branch, or prune the roots. We can also learn how to keep a tree healthy. But when adding the "finishing touch", you have to pay attention to everything at the same time, and make them work together. The trunk, the roots, the branches, all become ONE and lose their individuality. That's when a masterpiece is born. And time doesn't help you anymore.

So, you see, you cannot "work on a masterpiece". You have to "create" your masterpiece.
You can work on great material though, that has potential, but the masterpiece is born when you put the pieces together, following your artistic vision.

P.S.: of course, there is a solution to every problem. If you are not ready to create a masterpiece, you can always buy one. Then just seek help to maintain it, and in time, you may learn how to do it yourself. Even better, by owning a masterpiece created by others, you can attempt to copy it, using similar material,and paying attention to details. That's how masters learned their trade: copying the old masters. That's the advantage of owning a masterpiece. You have plenty of time to absorb it all, and become familiar with every little detail. It can act like a teacher, for the rest of your trees.

 

[cmeg1]

Wow ,thanks,I am definately in it for the journey.To enjoy the passage of time.What one may call bonsai,the other call's a tree in a pot.I call all mine bonsai.But then again,tree in a pot appeals to me.I never let myself forget that different people give different amount's of effort in their hobby or devotion of bonsai,they all should get the respect they deserve.Especially when their trees show even a few years of care.

 

[jk_lewis]

that I will never have anything that approaches these wonderful examples of bonsai that I see in photos, books, exhibitions....

How can you know that? Unless you are like me and well past your allotted three score and ten, there's a hell of a lot of future out there.

 

[cascade]

What Attila said. Also, one does not have to have a mastermaterial to create a masterpiece. Although it is easier to work on splendid material, it is a challenge to create something really good out of nothing. Even better if the "nothing" has a certain age..

Best,
Dorothy

 

[tmmason10]

Really well put Judy, and I agree with everything you've said. I think that this is the first major lesson in bonsai; as well as patience. It takes time and vision to make a plant you've bought into a bonsai, then more to make a masterpiece. I have adopted a quality over quantity approach and really have just enjoyed watching everything grow this spring. I've realized that I don't naturally come equipped with the vision, skill set, or knowledge to be able to create masterpieces or even a "bonsai". This is why I am now taking classes, instead of hacking up a small pre-bonsai this year.

 

[grouper52]

But, but . . . I thought you were expecting to acquire some great material this fall . . . .

 

[october]

I would like to share some enlightening information that was given to me that many people have probably never heard before regarding masterpieces/finished trees. The owner of the nursery that I go to and sometimes work at gave me this bit of information. It was really something to think about. I will try to get the wording close to what he said. It was a while ago, so I can't remember it word for word.

We were discussing masterpieces and "finished trees" and he said...You may not really want to get finished trees/masterpieces. All bonsai reach a pinnacle in their life. In other words, there will be a time in a trees life that it will look the best it will ever look. Once it reaches this stage, it may/will decline over time. If you purchase one of these trees. There is really not much to do with it. In turn, the tree will probably only lose some of its appeal. However, when you purchase nice pre material, train it yourself and watch it become something. You have the pleasure of getting to see the tree rise to its best. You will be working with it constantly and you get to watch it get better and better under your care and guidance.

It was a very informative and invigorating conversation.

Rob

 

[JudyB]

But, but . . . I thought you were expecting to acquire some great material this fall . . . .

Yes indeedy-do....I am. The fall acquisition holds the promise of a better more finished piece than I have. I only hope to do it justice as we go along.

I do have some nice material - it's just not what I would consider to be something that could possibly win a show (although my hackberry is getting pretty cool...)But that's not my goal in any event. This was not intended to be a poor me thread, rather, a coming of age with my thoughts about the sport.

I think Attila hit the nail on the head, it's hard to see what's in your pocket, unless you stick your hand in there and look at it with fresh eyes.

 

[JudyB]

How can you know that? Unless you are like me and well past your allotted three score and ten

Let's just say that it's after the halftime show, third or fourth quarter.... hard to say. Depends on whether the game goes into overtime!!!

But for the most time is the one thing that can't be faked in bonsai, at least not very convincingly. Although I have seen some exceptions to this...