>I just turned some oak from hurricane Isabel and found that it had spalted. I really like the way this turned out! 10" wide, 2" tall, about 1/2" thick. I wanted it to feel heavy, and it does.
When does the desire to hold on to every single bowl fade away? I find that everytime I turn something I'm so attached that I have to find a new place for it in the house. You know. First cedar bowl, first walnut bowl, first walnut platter, first walnut bowl with _that_ shape...
>Nice bowl Dave. The attachment will end when you find out someone will pay you for the bowl. Then you will become a turning whore like all the rest of us.
When you make an off the cuff comment about how much you would take for something and the person reaches in their pocket without a second thought. Once it happens the first time, it's pretty easy after that.
Of course my father on the other hand still can't seem to let go of some of his stuff and has it literally piled on a dresser in his guest bedroom.
Beautiful spalt in that piece Dave. Good luck with letting it go when the time comes.
>As soon as you start seeing your bowls as cash, the pain of parting is long gone. Every now and then you'll make something you just can't bear to let go of, that one goes in your personal collection.
I like this bowl. Pretty wood and a nice shape I like the edge slanting down and away from the inside.
I can completely relate to what you say about the attachment to your bowls. I use to be really connected to every bowl I turned. It became ridiculous around the house. They were everywhere! I didn't even want to give them as gifts! Then I finally started parting with them gradually to family.....then to friends. Then I got into my first show and WOW! Things changed. It freaked me out at first to have somebody give me $$ in exchange for a bowl....I was terrified that the minute they walked out the door with it, that it would instantly warp and crack or something! Now I can't wait for them to leave! It truly is so rewarding now to know that somebody will pay me $$ for my work and to know that they are delighted to have them. I think that may even make me feel better when I give them as gifts now too? I also headed the advice of my turning friend Betty, who said to me once that when you have "old stale" turnings sitting around it tends to hold you back....you get so use to looking at them that your mind doesn't tend to explore other challenges in turning that you might if the old stuff was out of sight out of mind. I thought it was silly at first but I really think she has a point. I do take photographs of almost everything I turn just so I can keep a record of them. Mostly so I can look back and see where I've been.
I'm sure you'll get the urge to "let go" sooner or later....and when you do....you love it!
>I am attached to most things I turn. From pens to bowls. That attachement last for a few momnets to a few days and in some cases a few months or even years.
This is a hobby for me and as such I try to avoid and discomfort. So I let go of my turnings when I am ready.
More and more the value I get from a turning is in the process, not the object. So the letting go is fairly easy now because I am not letting go of the part I value the most.
Example: She asks 'Why did you make the purpleheart box for your mother and not me?. What you think is 'Dang, I'm up the creek now.' What you say is 'Well that's because I was waiting on the pink ivory to make your box.' =o)
What Jen didn't mention is that "Betty" is a professional artisan who commands significant respect from the art community. Search on Betty Scarpino and you'll be able to see her work in several renowned collections and exclusive galleries.
Warmest Regards,
~Jay...still envious of David Propst for winning one of "Betty's" "Signature Pieces" at the EOP Picnic in Anderson, IN (ca. 2002, Ray Thompson's shop)
