AusBonsai

We are fortunate to have an inventive, experimental, creative and generous bonsai artist like Pup contributing to this forum. His assertion that we aim to better the standard of bonsai is admirable.

We should remember though, that we are a diverse community, many amongst us have different abilities and aspirations.

Some people are happy to plod along in their own way and they derive great satisfaction from their efforts.

Some people learn fast. Others take their time.

As long as they derive satisfaction and a level of self expression they are fulfilled.

I believe that self expression is to be encouraged if we are to enjoy a rich culture.

If we are generous in our offerings, then more bonsai people may be fully expressed and the artistic levels will rise.

Every plant has bonsai possibility. Human ingenuity is in short supply.

We don't know the circumstances of many people in the community. Be generous.

Take a look at the facebook 'Indian bonsai group". The culture is evolving there. Many of the beginners pics are ordinary. I'm certain that in 5 years time they will excel. The same applies here.

But this is more about keeping those who visit hanging around. First, we need to get more enthusiasts visiting.

lindsay farr wrote: We don't know the circumstances of many people in the community. Be generous.
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Well said Lindsay

I cannot remember whose quote it was, but "if you cannot say something nice, then do not say it at all", applies to here even more importantly than in person. In person you have body language to supply a large portion of the message, where here in words only much of that subtle message is lost.

Here we have to chose words wisely so as to be instructive instead of offensive when replying especially to newbie's.
A smiley does not really soften the harsh word like many seem to think,

We want to encourage those newbie's in their initial efforts to retain them for a long time, so that they become valued members here.

Ken

Well said Lindsay, I like singing in the shower, but I will never be paid for singing. However, I can sing in public if I want to, that is my right, even though it would annoy some. This is the way some people see thier bonsai. You will always have great bonsai artist and there will always be those who will keep trying don,t shut the tryers out.

chris

When you keep knocking yes people stop trying, the same applys to the teachers they get fed up trying to get the message across.

Help your self and I will help do not. Ask for a comment and I am usualy the first but not any more.


So this is me saying nothing.

As the President of the Capricorn Region Bonsai Society Inc. and active member of the Capricorn Coast Bonsai Group, I promote ausbonsai and other bonsai forums and sites at each and every meeting I attend. The problem is, there is among the older members a fear of computers still. This is, I'm glad to say is gradually disappearing with more and more people taking up computer coarses and computers becoming cheaper and easier to access.

I do like the T-shirt/cap/keyring/stubbie cooler. The flyer to clubs and associated societys or maybe a monthly/bi-monthly newsletter posted on the forum which can be downloaded and printed by the clubs and societys. This could have in it, whats new on the forum, competitions, shows/exhibitions coming up, interesting blogs on the forum for the month/s and so on. may even get some ads going in the future.

a few of my thoughts.

chris

I have mentioned our site in other forums but have heard that they don't like to sign up to see photos of other bonsai, I suppose these people are worried about being bomb bared with spam, of course this is not true but this is what some think.

Mick

Ausbonsai never spams. Sadly, other sites that do spam claim not to. There are circumstances that require the administrators know who contributors are. Those who wish to access the info without the pics are of course able to. By noting the visitors online numbers these anonymous bonsaiists would appear to be the majority of the community.

Most notably, the older and experienced ( sometimes set in their ways) bonsai people are most reluctant to participate.

I trust that Pup was joking about not offering his most valued opinions. It is difficult to get the golden oldies to participate in the new platforms.

lindsay farr wrote:Ausbonsai never spams. Sadly, other sites that do spam claim not to. There are circumstances that require the administrators know who contributors are. Those who wish to access the info without the pics are of course able to. By noting the visitors online numbers these anonymous bonsaiists would appear to be the majority of the community.

Most notably, the older and experienced ( sometimes set in their ways) bonsai people are most reluctant to participate.

I trust that Pup was joking about not offering his most valued opinions. It is difficult to get the golden oldies to participate in the new platforms.

Lindsay, I will still contribute but not on sticks in pots or pot plants. I am fed up be told there is another way to tell it.
When it is rubbish it is rubbish.
No ifs ahs and buts. If I had someone telling me the truth from my beginnings. I would have arrived a lot sooner. Just look at people Like Boon and Peter Warren and Mario Comsta very young and very good.
I will not tell any body it is shari, so do not ask for my input, if you cannot handle what I have to say. I will not pussy foot around.

Pup

I agree with you Pup. A level 2 beginner can offer advice on sticks in pots.

Your expertise should be shared where appropriate. There is no service to our community when words are wasted.

We are an ultra conservative community. 99.999% of people want their bonsai to look like some other bonsai.

This is a good way to begin, by imitation. From this point some risk taking is needed to grow.

Sincerity and integrity are rare. Pup offers both.

I rarely comment on written creation threads as I believe that the visual narrative of moving image is far more communicative.

To each, his own.

This is a problem in Australian Bonsai, there are to many experienced bonsai artist, who beleive they are that far above every one else that a beginner is not worthy of thier comments or thier critisism is that strong that it destroys any interrest the beginner had.
Pup, you say you dont comment on sicks in pots because it is a waste of you time. What sort of stock do you actually expect a beginner to start with. A biginner starts with, affordable small stock, to practice on, as you did. They dont go to a nursery and buy $100.00 stock trees, to have it die because of thier lack of knowlege.
An artist with you experience should be sharing you knowlege with those coming into the hobby. This is the way to improve the standard of Aussie bonsai. Not buy harsh critisism. Harsh critisism causes 2 things, No.1 the person dosen't like it and gives up trying. No.2 the person doesn't like it and desides you don't know what your talking about and your critisism has probably done more damage than good. In my experience as a school teacher and now teaching bonsai, harsh critisism only has a negetive outcome never good.

So Pup, get off your high horse and put your knowlege and experience in where it will do the most good in improving the standard of Aussie bonsai, with the beginners, they haven't formed any bad habbits.

you wish you had some critisism well you have got some. And this goes for all you others out thier that say "That's Sh%t!" before assessing the good points of the bonsai first.

chris

One of the best lessons I've learned as a teacher is to be miserly. Miserly in the sense that the call for a response must come from the student. The better prepared the student, the more resonant the response.

Those who wish to get the best of what Pup has to offer should first familiarize themselves with his offerings on this site.

The idea of a young person with Pups lifetime of innovation and experience along with youthful energy is possible.

Back on subject

Community Radio

Perhaps Ausbonsai people could present community radio Bonsai programs in their area.

Any thoughts?

What is community Radio?
I am involved in Kids sport administration and the only radio stations I hear mentioned id the current generation of Kids pop / Rock ones MMM 2Day, 96.6 etc
I doubt if I ask any of the 400 kids at athletics if they listen to community they will look at me stupid and ask what is that?

display at Fairs and shopping centres, youth groups, etc

ken

Fair comment KCPoole. It may be difficult to get kids to migrate from pop radio to community stations.

Furthermore, radio is not an ideal platform for a visual medium.

Some years ago, I did regular radio spots on the ABC. As well as that I regularly contributed to numerous community and commercial radio garden shows. It can work. The passion and integrity of the presenters is paramount.

Just an idea.