Bonsai is like a fine wine, it only improves with age.  A fine bonsai is complex and invokes a feeling of wonder and awe. 

Okay, so maybe I don't know very much about wine.  I do however enjoy a glass of wine from time to time.  I can appreciate the complex flavors and unique taste and understand that this doesn't happen over night.  As the saying goes, "I don't know art, but I know what I like."

As I started on my bonsai learning journey my preference was for classic Japanese bonsai design.  As my knowledge has grown and my eye has been exposed to more and higher quality trees my tastes have evolved.  I can now appreciate a well done tree by a great artist that defies the rules and conventions of classical bonsai design.  I say "artist" because it takes a highly skilled individual to bend or break the rules and come out with a masterpiece. 

I don't care much for rules; I see them more as guidelines.  As it was explained to me many years ago, if you follow the rules too strictly you could end up with a worthless piece of material.  Sometimes you simply have to work with what you have.  In collected material some of these flaws can be highlighted and accentuated to improve the overall design.

In recent posts Walter Pall writes about finding the potential in bonsai material. He has been advocating training of the eye for tree selection. I completely agree with him on this point. Starting with finer material will yield quicker and better results. If one starts with a tree that is fundamentally flawed it may take many years to correct these issues wasting precious time on subpar material.

While on your bonsai educational journey expose yourself to as many opportunities as possible.  Join the local club.  Attend all the regional bonsai displays, shows, and conventions.  Scour eBay for copies of the Kokofu-ten books.  Study the trees, their branches, wiring, and shape.  Learn to appreciate how well a pot, tree, stand, and accent plant can compliment each other.  Do more to develop your palate.  You will learn more and experience more joy when in the presence of a truly fine quality bonsai specimen.