Saturday, August 29, 2009

incremental growth


As I explain to my students, learning a craft involves very small increments. It is not like school where they try to instill large concepts without the underlying foundation of experience. Even subtleties of hand position and grip are important. The photo above will better illustrate yesterday's incremental, a no big deal discovery... that I can make inlay with two different colored bandings in a single operation. It won't change the world, but in my own life, it simplifies by a small step. To the left is walnut and to the right linden. The ink pen line at the center is used to mark the pattern as it is formed and then used to guide realignment of the pattern as it is glued and clamped.

In terms of large concepts to be taught in schools, this is really no big deal. But the ability to actually accomplish something, is dependent of having an internal catalog of available techniques, none of which by itself is a big deal. But those techniques, cumulative through experience, are the foundation of creativity.

2 comments:

  1. Anonymous11:04 AM

    Your blog always has delightful nuggets that are precisely the food for thought I need... Thank you!

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  2. Thank You, I'm glad to help. Writing is such a great way to explore one's own thoughts, and life itself. As you know with your own blog, that clarity is a great thing.

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