Dream time:
Money no object, spend time in Japan, visit at least 100 masters. Work a deal and import to USA trees bought there. Of course the costs of quarantine, material, and travel is prohibitive.
Just spent a little time with Ted Mattson today. You know, of all the 'masters' I have had workshops with, Ted is the BEST TEACHER, by far. He gears his information to the level you are at, yet gives enough to push you to ahead to the next level. I am at the intermediate stages of learning, Ted is able to really reinforce the basic skill set and really teach. His designs are not as wild or 'out there' as some, but his suggestions are very do-able with the material in front of him. He stays cognizant of the horticultural requirements and limitations of the tree in front of him. He proposes ideas, but insists you do the cutting, etc. None of my trees have died as a result of suggestions from him. He understands a tree's horticultural limits. I can't say the same for other teachers. He doesn't propose things that would take years and years to heal and look natural. He keeps most of what he proposes in line with a 5 to 10 year time line.
Ryan Neil would be my USA based dream teacher, especially if I also had the money to buy more than just one of his finished trees. He has some fabulous stock, fantastic vision, tremendous energy, and is a worthy student and representative of his teacher Kimura's vision in the US. I am just not sure my skills are up to a level where I could really take advantage of what Ryan Neil has to offer. I need to get on top of my game first.
As to Vance's "Self Proclaimed Bonsai Master" I think I recognize of whom you speak and concur with your opinion. He won't get another dime of my business, and I believe there is a ban from our local club too on this person's return.
I had one teacher, who I like as a person, and is pretty good all in all, while contemplating a position for a branch in a design, bent a branch on my 150+ year old ponderosa pine back, and forth and back and forth until by the time he was done, within 2 weeks the branch died because it had been flexed and stressed to the point where the cambium was torn. He was someone who should have known better. Oh well, no names as I otherwise do like the guy, and he has a pretty good artistic vision too. Even the best occasionally goof up.
Yes, I think within the next 5 years I will definitely do at least a workshop with Ryan Neil, a gift to myself.
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LOL Kidding aside, my thoughts exactly.
