I’ve had this tree for two seasons now and it really has never been that happy. I hope that it continues to grow vigor over the next few years because I think it can be a good tree. There is some damage at the bottom of the trunk and the plan is to layer it above the damage. I may try to get to that next spring.
Leafing out after purchase two springs ago:
That summer it really started to sulk. It dropped quite a few branches and now the work begins to rebuild the tree.
Before and after cutback and final pictures of the year:
Hopefully it will gain health next year because quite a bit of work is needed to make the image nice. Layering, chopping and growing all need to happen.
Tom's Bonsai 
Any ideas why it hasn’t picked up?
Well, it does have some dead area at the base due to the roots drying out or fungus before i bought it. Other than that, it always seems to leaf out fine then look ratty by midsummer. It could probably use some shade but my other maples do much better.