[Woodcarver] will we get there from here?

[Merrilee Johnson]

Hi Joe and everyone eles!
     I certainly feel like what I see and think will happen, should, but 
when it doesn't then I get frustrated and think I'll never get any better 
and why did I think I could do this in the first place.  I am no where near 
even a beginner level but I sure do want to get to a higher level but I also 
know that no matter how well I do it won't be good enough for me and I could 
always do better.  As you said that is what keeps us striving to improve.  
The people that look at our art are the ones that enjoy it I think the best. 
  (OF course then we have to deal with my cheapness and not wanting to waste 
the wood practicing <G>.  I'm working on that one as we speak!)
See you in a couple of days!  Yea Roundup!
Merrilee


>From: "Joe Dillett" <jdillett at thecarvingshop.com>
>Reply-To: "[Woodcarver]" <woodcarver at six.pairlist.net>
>To: "[Woodcarver]" <woodcarver at six.pairlist.net>
>Subject: Re: [Woodcarver] Not a "Master Carver?"
>Date: Mon, 14 Jun 2004 08:17:39 -0500
>
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>
>I agree with what you are saying Bob, but is there a way to get there from
>here and how long does it take!? For some not long I suspect and for others
>longer! So to add to this discussion: How long did it take you "great"
>carvers to feel like what you are doing is darn good and might even peek at
>the term we are trying to define? I know Joe sent out a questionnaire some
>time ago with this question on it but that was more just for carving wasn't
>it? Not really asking do you feel like you are at the top of your craft/art
>and when was it that you were pleased with the results? Thanks for sharing
>this also!
>Merrilee
>
>***************
>
>Hi Marrilee,
>
>It's like they say, "The hurrier I go the behinder I get." My beginnings
>were not so humble. I was so proud of my first carvings that I was almost
>convinced that Michaelangelo would envy my work. Today I see how ridiculous
>that was, but how important it was for me to see it that way, in the
>beginning, so to encourage me to continue. My brashness of youth and my 
>fine
>tuned tunnel vision were excellent tools in giving me the confidence I
>needed to take on any job regardless of how much over my head I buried
>myself. For me, even today, those are not necessarily bad qualities because
>I often fail to see the true picture, which if I did might give rise to
>second thoughts about a commission, and jump in with my blinders on. Up to
>now I've been lucky somehow made it out alive and well.
>
>I don't remember my early works. I've actually been in someone's house
>wondering where that awful woodcarving came from only to my embarrassment
>when they tell me that it was actually mine. I wonder how many artists see 
>a
>terrible piece and actually not recognize it as ever coming out of their
>head. I know I've made great improvements but today I'm seeing even more
>wrong with my work than I did in the beginning. I've convinced myself 
>that's
>a good thing, that comes with improvement, and that's the tool that will
>drive us to continue to improve.
>
>In the beginning, as well as now, I plan a project seeing it so clearly in
>my mind. Mostly I'm so exciting about the whole concept, the intense
>feelings it will create, I see the perfect balance of design and I 
>visualize
>how it will occupy the space and become the most treasured position of my
>customer. As my chisels cut the wood I try to hold that plan in my mind,
>hold on to that feeling that I am trying to create. I find myself working 
>as
>fast as I can before I loose it. I rip the wood away, as fast as I can, so
>time doesn't fog the original concept. Chips are hitting walls and ceiling
>popping in all directions to remove the areas of distractions as quickly as
>possible. New interesting shapes immerge. They begin to twist those 
>original
>ideas so judgements have to be made if this new idea emerging is better 
>than
>the original and if not it seems to be making it more difficult to get back
>to the original concept. Frustration always comes when what I see in my 
>mind
>is not happening in front of me. I am disgusted with my lack of skill to
>make it happen. At some point I must declare the project finished. I judge
>how short I fell from my goal and determine what I will fix next time. That
>is why I don't enjoy looking at my finished work other than to study it for
>future correction.
>
>I'm also convinced that I'll never get to the top of my game, even if the
>good Lord would give me another 100 years. I think it is like anything in
>life, the more you learn the more you realize you don't know.
>
>I sometimes wonder if other artist are 1) frustrated in not being able to
>reproduce exactly what they feel in their mind and 2) seeing more flaws in
>their work as their work improves?
>
>
>Joe Dillett
>The Carving Shop
>645 E. LaSalle St. Suite 3
>Somonauk, IL. 60552
>(815) 498-9290 phone
>(815) 498-9249 fax
>http://www.thecarvingshop.com
>jdillett at thecarvingshop.com
>http://www.carvingmagazine.com Carving Magazine web site and Readers Forum
>**************************************************
>
>
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