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Books can not really teach sculpture, the artist must experience it. The carver must strengthen the hands to respond deftly to the mind to fulfill the dreams and wishes of the carver. One of the first problems you must overcome is vision.
Each of your eyes view things two dimensionally. It is not until
the brain reinterprets the two images does the mind see the depth
of the vision. Even though you may fall short of your expected desires.
You will be impelled by this ever-flowing desire to try again
to surpass yourself. You must not feel discouraged. You must
be you own severest critic and return to an idea with renewed
faith and determination. You may feel that you will be an artist after a short period of study, whereas if you really have the desire to become an artist, you know that you will be learning to the end of your days. Carving can be a great benefit to anyone. Training
the hands to respond to the mind produces a fulfillment of self,
and promotes the way you are viewed by your friends and the general
public. It can be a distinct and fulfilling experience. Finally
there is that sense of ecstasy when the carving is completed.
Many of the answers that I have given to people about
my carving can only be understood after one has attempted and
fulfilled the desire to create a beautiful carving out of a piece
of rock. " How long does it take to make a sculpture?" I am often asked, " Until it is finished is the answer." If you try to create a carving according to a time schedule, either the carving will be worthless or the stone will break. You will find it difficult to force the stone to do something that it can not. You will find yourself limited by the grain of the stone and the laws of physics. I now give my students my two rules: 1. If somebody says something nice about your carving, say, "Thank You" 2. Do not tell the person what you think is wrong with
the carving. You then are spoiling their pleasure of seeing the
beauty of your carving. The public only sees the beauty, you
only see the faults. |
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