Japanese Maple #4- I need some help

[Newish in Oregon]

This Japanese Maple started as a seedling in a nursery pot and has been in this pond basket for about a year. Though I have a couple of maples that have a 'design,' I think my biggest challenge is having a vision of where I want my tree to go...and this tree is an example of that. So I'm looking for any and all thoughts on what I should do w/ this tree and where it should be headed.

 

[Shibui]

Its likely you have no vision for this one because there's so very little there. It is all very well to stick a seedling into a pond basket and fatten the trunk but a bonsai also requires other things like branches, nebari, taper in the trunk and there is very little of those in this tree yet.
I'd suggest next step is to chop the trunk which will encourage more branches on the lower section and one for a new trunk extension. When you have those you may find something to work with.
Deciduous bonsai are rarely made in a single session. Good deciduous bonsai are grown and developed over many years. You've made a start now need to take it further.

 

[Newish in Oregon]

Its likely you have no vision for this one because there's so very little there. It is all very well to stick a seedling into a pond basket and fatten the trunk but a bonsai also requires other things like branches, nebari, taper in the trunk and there is very little of those in this tree yet.
I'd suggest next step is to chop the trunk which will encourage more branches on the lower section and one for a new trunk extension. When you have those you may find something to work with.
Deciduous bonsai are rarely made in a single session. Good deciduous bonsai are grown and developed over many years. You've made a start now need to take it further.

@Shibui Thanks for your comments. Is it safe to chop now? How low should I go? [I think I'd like to preserve some of the movement in the lower trunk but maybe it's too early to worry about that?]

 

[Shibui]

It is safe to chop JM any time but after leaves open they don't seem to bleed as much as before leaves open. Now will be fine.

There is no correct answer to how low. Depends on what you aim for and how long you want to take. Generally cut much lower than your first inclination. Trees only ever grow up and out so first chop needs to be quite low to create good trunk with bends and taper. If you just want some branches on a stick trunk the first cut can be higher.

The slight wobble in lower trunk is OK but likely to disappear as the trunk thickens. Preserve the bends that have attracted you to the tree but we usually need to start out with excessive bends because they tend to soften with age and growth.