[Woodcarver] art/cultural exchange weekend (plus)

[sally nye]

Hi Maricha,

Thank you for the kind comments re: Marnie's Benefit in another 
message.  Visiting St. Patrick's church is something words cannot 
describe.  I wouldn't even try.  My mother and sister had the same 
spell binding experience while looking at a picture of the Corpus.  You 
can see the facial expression near the bottom of the Crucifix album in 
Ivan's picturetrail.  Try to put it altogether in your mind and you'll 
see what I'm talking about.  It's the best we can do without being 
there in person.

Now I would like to ask a question (or more) of you.  I have some 
questions that just keep rolling around in my head & they won't go 
away.  Maybe you're covered this topic in your interactive discussions 
at your cultural exchange weekend?

Is the human baby born with in inherent ability to create?  Then that 
ability could be developed if that person choses to pursue it.  I 
suppose some have more natural creativity than others.  If there 
appears to be "no" creative ability, can it be developed?

To further this line, I  know people who call themselves artists and 
they have a "huge" amount of confidence in every medium they try.  They 
do one or two items in that new found medium and proclaim themselves an 
expert.  Their work is less than elementary but they are so proud.  
Where does that come from?  Are they born with a degree of that 
confidence and is it developed through time?

For myself, I was born in the corn belt of the midwest.  Art was 
offered at the High School level but was not encouraged.  The only 
students who took art were the ones who could not do well in academia 
type subjects.  I feel we missed out by not being introduced to art in 
our early stages of life.  It seems the ones who took art are so 
pleased and satisfied with their work, whereas I am always striving to 
improve.  I don't think I'll ever get to the point where I am pleased.  
Maybe that is just me.  I am always researching and learning and don't 
want that to go away.

Maricha, you can answer "off-list" if you like.  I would like to know 
your comments when you have time.

Thanks,
Sally
http://www.fancarversworld.com

On Aug 31, 2004, at 12:02 AM, maricha wrote:

hi folks,
the art discovery and cultural exchange weekend went so well.  have 
just returned overflowing with the experience of this cultural 
festival... have lots of feedback, and so many emails. the workshop and 
crossing-ideas-skills-knowledge etc. was great. talk to you soon in 
greater detail.
cheers
maricha
http://www.oldjoe.org/MarichaOxley.html