bodhidharma wrote:DavidWilloughby wrote:Hi Bohdi, if your original comment was intended to all the viewers and people who have commented, I am curious, how should one have taken it ? Just so I can understand your point of view.
Hi David, not really following your question but, maybe this? For me it is this simple, and i only speak for me. The tree, in my eyes, has been improved beyond all doubt and for mine, it is easy to see. Some who think it hasnt been improved, and i am looking at their time in Bonsai, maybe havent developed their skills enough to understand the amount of work it took to get the tree to this point? I dont know, and i am not wanting to cause a fuss, but the tree has improved beyond measure. But i guess that is just my opinion.
Bodhi, no discredit to your experience, and I certainly do understand where you and others are coming from and I personally always love seeing your trees that you share on the forums, but those of us who prefer the first picture are not looking at the time and work that has gone into the tree, rather just,... we prefer the look of the first picture, putting it simply. In my opinion it doesn't take into account your inexperience or perception, but rather just the fact that from an artistic point of view, I too, personally prefer the look of the first tree as it has a rough natural quality that i much prefer, as I often find myself steering away from the traditional and formal bonsai styling. The tree may have been on deaths door for all we know, but I still prefer the look of it.
Art is art, and if you see an oil based canvas in an art gallery that has taken the artist clearly months to produce, it may not be to your liking irrespective of the time and effort gone into it. Of course I am always amazed at these works of art, but, and this is true for all forms of art, visually you either like it or you don't. Essentially yes, you are dead right that your taste of what you prefer can change in time yes, but it doesn't mean that because you haven't got superior skills or expertise than others, or have been into a hobby for a longer period of time that your view will change on what you prefer as a rough gem, or a polished diamond. My wife and I are a great example, as I wanted an uncut natural mineral to be used on her engagement ring, but she wanted the traditional formal cut and polished diamond ring, and after 10 years of being with her, I still love the look of a garnet or amethyst set and kept in its natural rock setting that was made over time naturally, rather than the months of time and effort to place the same mineral into a polished refined look.
Personally I have always preferred the rough wild look of a bonsai over a well trimmed and maintained look. In fact I often cringe when I see the little foliage pads all neatly placed together, but that is, as everyone knows, just an opinion. Opinions are not wrong, and are what makes us human.
of this style of tree is that it's not my cup of tea. I find my eye likes more "natural" styled trees and to me the tree looks too contrived. Kudos to the volunteers and staff at the NBPCA for dramatically improving the health of the tree 
