Creativity

Re: Creativity

Duane C.Leach

>I have found it very helpfull to carry a camra with a small sketch pad. My drawings were frequently inadequate. So I started taking pictures of things of intrest as well as drawings with notes.

My problem is not the lack of ideas. It's the lack of time to make the ideas and dreams a reality.

Frank Loyd Wright once wrote.

If you foolishly ignore beauty,

you will soon find your srlf without it.

If you invest in beauty,

it will remain with you all the days of your life.

I read this many many years ago and have found it to be very true. To me, you don't have to buy a piece of beauty and hang it on the wall. Beauty is all around us, you just have to open your mind and take it in.

Trying to mold and shape a chunk of wood to expose the woods inner beauty with a form or shape that will bring a smile to the viewers face is some of my investment in beauty.

Happy turning

Duane

Call Discovery channel!

Bob Hackett

>I can see it now,"The Great Turnoff".

This week will pit the elder statesman,the "Earl of Burl",Wally Dickerman and his old school forms against the newcomer "Iron Mike Schwing" and his carved,high tech,bugazoids.

Each turner will have only 10 hours to complete thier piece and then they will be judged at the symposium in chicago.

The turning with the most votes wins the "Golden Gouge" trophy and the right to go on to the finals.You decide.

For a cpoy of the program you just saw send $29,95 to...

Mainely,Bob

Re: Bob,

Mark Mandell - Gone Round In Jersey

>You're getting too commercial!

M

That`s what circles and arrows are for

Bob Hackett

>I either clip a pic or make a (very rough)drawing of an idea.I know that unless I add notes with arrows and circle details and spell things out in the notes as to what it was I was thinking at the time I`ll be luck if I even know which way to hold the paper 6 months from now

I keep a metal clipboard with me,one of the ones that opens to an inner compartment in back to contain loose things.The compartment is perfect for pencils,a 12" straight edge and a french curve template.It also allows me to store all the pictures I clip and rip from everywhere.

When the clipboard fills it gets emptied into a 3 ring(like the circus) binder.I find if creativity is lacking all I need do is page thru a binder and before I know it I have more ideas than I know what to do with.Throw nothing away!

I also find that visiting museums and talking with artists and craftsmen working in other mediums can send you off in new directions.

When in a slump where I don`t even want to put anything in the lathe(don`t worry,you`ll get it)I find that if I just knock a factory handle off one of my tools and go to the wood stash looking for a nice piece of figured wood to replace it with I usually find at least an armload to bring back complete with ideas for each one.

Regarding the pre and post sleep zone.I find I`m in the pre and mid group.The problem seems to be getting back to sleep before the sun comes up.Perhaps that`s why I never made it to the post sleep group.

Books that have helped me improve in the form and design areas are:

Sculpting Wood,-M.Lindquist(A study in creativity and how to design tools to realize your vision)

Turned Bowl Design-R.Raffan(This continues to be one of my most useful books after 15+ years)

Appearance and Reality-S.Hogbin(very in depth info for all artists and craftsmen)

Woodturning Design-M.Darlow(Alittle bit of a wade through the techinical aspects but well worth it)

Sometimes all it takes is a walk in the woods or a visit to a local contractor`s "stump dump",go figure.

Mainely,Bob

Re: That`s what circles and arrows are for

David Galloway

>I agree with you on the museums. I particularly have been help by ceramics in terms of form The only problem is that those museum folks have proven a bit testy whenever I "borrow" the object d'art for the CNC. Not as willing to share as us woodturners.

David Galloway

Re: Creativity

John Trant (Baltimore/DC area)

>Great thread.

My "creativity" can best be described as incremental progressions from an original point of inspiration. Most recently, my points of inspiration have been vessels or techniques like Keith�s �swirls�, Molly�s pyrotechnics, Andi�s painted images, Cindy D�s boxes, and Stuart M�s spirals. Like John Lucus, my vessels are also often technique driven in that I want to see if I can do it too. In the best case, this serves as a starting point for a series of multiple turnings, each incorporating �a bit more� (eventually taking it to an extreme) while retaining positive features from the previous turning and deleting aspects that I didn�t like. My most creative vessels make much more of an impact if I show friends and family the �terminal vessel� in this series of investigatory turnings opposed displaying all of the vessels that make up the line of its progression. In general, I have full confidence with my woodturning craftsmanship; my deficit lies in the fact that I am not artistically cleaver enough to spawn an idea from thin air. I guess there is too much scientist in me � the foundation of a project comes from the literature and the strategy for one experiment is driven by the results of the prior experiment.

My best work was built upon the backs of all the works that I have admired through the years. I want an artistic �Eureaka moment� like I imagine Mike S, John L and Keith T experience!

John

Sounds like...

Bob Hackett

>You need a bigger clipboard.(please refer to sarchasm post above)

Surprisingly,I have had curators allow me to carefully handle pieces(with cotton gloves on)and also have opened display cabinets so I could get a better look at things I was not allowed to handle.

The ones here in New England can be quite accomodating provided they understand your intent and you have visited on a slow day.It also helps to donate a turning or two to their benefit auctions.

Mainely,Bob

Re: Creativity

keith zimmerman, Normal IL

>Wonderful thread Keith. Creativity is an unusual animal in that it will affect everyone in a different way, at different times, and will have a different effect on them. I have a background in the fine arts with my formal education in Art History. The creative process is facinating to me. I honestly believe anyone and everyone is capable of being creative. The differences in how it manifests itself is the differences in each and every person (ie. knowledge, experiences, background).

Speaking for me, the creative aspect of turning is derived from the wood. I allow the wood to decide what it should become. I have only been turning for a bit over two years and am in no way a master of this craft, nor do I have enough experience to be able to transpose a design into a finished piece. To learn this and gain the experience, I have been turning utilitarian pieces intended to allow me to practice techniques (and make some money). While pursuing this line of self-education, every so often I find a piece of wood that makes me want to stretch myself and take a step beyond the box. I find that I really value these pieces because, when successful, I feel more confident as a turner. I have several pieces of wood sitting here that I am waiting for an idea of what they want to be.

keithz

Re: Creativity

Keith Tompkinsd

>Hi John, good post! The nice thing is you have developed your skills to the point that when the big idea hits, you'll have no trouble making the piece.....that whole "voice" thing is elusive, but it will happen.

Re: Creativity

Keith Tompkinsd

>Hi Keith, I wish I had your art background! It is certainly a great asset. I can assure you, my conversations with Mark Mandell(art background also) have be enlightening.

Re: That`s what circles and arrows are for

Keith Tompkinsd

>thanks, Bob. I always enjoy your posts. Observing the work of different craftspeople always inspires me too. The sketch book is something most of us shouldn't be without.