First time you realized you accomplished bonsai?

[Brian Van Fleet]

In my 2nd 5-year cycle, around '98-2000, my best tree was probably this JBP:

And the tree I had the longest was this Chinese elm purchased in 1996. Learned a ton from it, and it was the first tree I showed.

And my up-and-coming tree, was this boxwood:

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

3rd 5-year cycle would start around 2005. My best tree was arguably the boxwood I collected in 1998, and looked like this in 2005:

And my up-and-coming best tree was this maple:

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Then, in my 4th 5-year cycle, around 2010, my best tree was the maple:

And some of my up-and-coming trees included a pyracantha collected in 2005, hawthorn collected in 2000, and JBP from Brussels in 2007:

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Now, in my 5th 5-year cycle, in 2014-15, my best trees look like this:

And the next 5 years' up and comers...??? I'm pretty excited about these 3:
Fat shohin trident I've been growing out for 12 years, rough stock JBP I bought last year, and a shohin Corkbark elm I grew from a root cutting in 2006 with a ton of character. Remember the first Chinese elm I showed a couple posts back? This is a root cutting from that tree! Much better than the original.

 

[barrosinc]

So, when do you think you accomplished bonsai?

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

So, when do you think you accomplished bonsai?

Ask me in 5 years!
Honestly, I think I achieved a new level of it every 5 years or so. Looking back at the photos, and knowing the trees as I do, I'd say my biggest jump started in 2010. What changed? Better material, and more studying independently as well as with professionals.

 

[jquast]

What changed? Better material, and more studying independently as well as with professionals.

I think my biggest jump was this understanding as well. Not playing/wasting time with immature material that would never amount to anything and finally being able to recognize that was the trigger.

The other reason was that I moved from a club that was mostly for social gatherings to one that has elder members that take the time to teach was a huge benefit as well. I was exposed to material that was of high quality that inspired me to work more towards getting those types of trees.

 

[MaverickLancer]

Ask me in 5 years!
Honestly, I think I achieved a new level of it every 5 years or so. Looking back at the photos, and knowing the trees as I do, I'd say my biggest jump started in 2010. What changed? Better material, and more studying independently as well as with professionals.

Thanks for showing us your progression! I think it's interesting to see how a person's style can develop over time and to see what drove it. Your JBP from Brussels clearly built on experiences from your 2000 JBP. And that elm root cutting. Wow. From a lot of the input I've heard from here and in person, the two biggest impetuses have been getting better material and studying with real professionals. Fortunately for me, both of those are fairly accessible here in southern California. I can't wait to see how my collection and skills evolve over the next few years.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Yep, you're 100% right @MaverickLancer and be sure to take photos of everything along the way. Never know what may become the best and brightest on the bench!

 

[aml1014]

I have to agree with Ryan Neils video when he says a master is someone who's strives everyday to do better then the day before until they die. A true master Harry Hirao would probably tell us you never have "Achieved bonsai"

 

[Smoke]

So far.....

I find this thread interesting. The bar is set by those replying to the thread. Some low and some high, depending on their mental model of what bonsai is. My mental model is pretty damn high, and I ain't there yet. Some may read this five years from now and go, crap, I thought I was making bonsai.....!

Cheers dreamers...

 

[iant]

Haven't made a bonsai yet but feel like I'm on my way every once in a while.
Felt great to recognize mites that I couldn't see and sprayed and saw major turn around.
Felt great to recognize fungus on prunus and stewartia and turned those around too.
Felt great to take an almost 2 inch chop on a JBP from 2 inches to almost closed in 12 months.
That's something I thought would have taken me 3-4 yrs.
Of course there's a lot of death and destruction between each of the above lines but there you go.
Ian

 

[j evans]

After seeing Brian's and a few others it appears that I may never make it. Enjoy the journey as it may last a long time.

 

[Potawatomi13]

Long ago and many miles in the past during my first 5 years as a teenaged novice. I was quite happy with a small coast pine that I made into a windswept. It was already part way there but in a few years was dead from not being watered(I think). Many years ago. Since then much have I learned and much more fussy am I about my efforts.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Some may read this five years from now and go, crap, I thought I was making bonsai.....!

My point exactly, every time I look back a few years, the trees look pretty rough. Hope it always seems that way.

 

[barrosinc]

If people like Brian and Al, don't think they have accomplished it...
What is left for us simple mortals?

 

[Vin]

If people like Brian and Al, don't think they have accomplished it...
What is left for us simple mortals?

Max, I'm seeing something pink and made of cotton in your future...

 

[thumblessprimate1]

I know I haven't accomplished bonsai. I'm accomplishing things, but there's much so much more. I don't expect myself to make world class bonsai; I do what I can to do things right and hopefully make something good.

 

[barrosinc]

Max, I'm seeing something pink and made of cotton in your future...

Mi no comprendo...

 

[thumblessprimate1]

Hay una cosa rosa en su futuro.