[Woodcarver] new projects

[maricha]

hi joe, of course art communicates ideas and feelings. but then what do you 
mean by good art,or what did your teacher mean by good art. sometimes there 
is work of art that at first glass appears soo ugly, yet when really looking 
at it, one can see beauty in ugliness. but i know what you mean and it is 
indeed a great gift... art can communicate complex ideas, feelings and 
graphically display simple forms and enrich us, if we take the trouble to 
understand what the artist is trying to do.
l
of course, HONESTY is essential to be true to yourself is the only way you 
can project electricity for other people to receive your work. if you are 
false it comes through.  Drawing on the right side of the brain, by betty 
edward's indeed like your apprentice, certainly proves the fact that being 
honest, and just drawing or painting what you see, as you see it, not as you 
imagine it, or what people might think of it if you do it this way, because 
it looks funny .... naturally distorts reality... so honesty is one of the 
great gifts that comes out of artesans or artists....

do not be concerned about his loosing his honesty, as he becomes better he 
will grow even deeper in his honesty and truthfulness as he achieves his 
aim, nurtures his creative motivation and growth.  when we loose our honesty 
is when we try to sacrifice what we see, for speed carving or speed  to make 
a quick dollar or speed to imitate. a true to oneself person finds it a lot 
more satisfying and easier to do his own authentic work, because he knows 
what is in his mind, images in his innerself and what he sees, its when he 
tries to cut corners that things get fouled up  of course when we are true 
to ourselves, as most artists/woodcarvers/sculptors are, we put a lot of 
ourselves in our work, which of course is the window of our souls, so we 
become vulnerab le, we are vulnerable and we need to be alert that we are 
not used unwisely.

of course as you say, perhaps the struggle is to be willing to allow others 
to see into our soul. of course this is reality so what statement do we wish 
to make....

from the moment we get up in the morning till we go to bed, we take risks 
and artists/artesans /sculptors are the biggest risk takers of the lot. we 
do not know if we will be run over crossing the road, using power carvers, 
chainsaws or bump our head, but somehow we have special gifts of common 
sense, and  so many others blessings, that why not trust your instincts 
which are so atuned to life

and lastly your paragraph hereunder is indeed wonderful, cause as soo many 
in the list have said including myself, when you carve, you do meditate and 
are in a very special world and many times with a very special guiding hand.

>
> I like your 2005 motto, to listen, really listen and portray. Additionally 
> I
> would not minimize the importance of meditation as a means of listening to
> yourself to discover your message that lay deep in your soul. Than let 
> your
> art be the window that allows US to see into your soul.

THANKS for your lovely email

p.s. another book which is a real treasure is THE ARTIST WAY by Julia 
Cameron
pps.
another project have started with the community is making designs for the 
community of things they want to put in their own wood (tile) mural to be 
exhibited at their community shows. the idea is to enrich the doer/viewer 
and a historical arena..

cheers
maricha