tooling up for symposium

["Steven Humphrey" <boxjocky@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hello Erik

I generally don't agree with Mr. O'Mahoney on too many
things. But some of the replys of encouragement from
other members of the list I have found disturbing. And
Seamus seems to be the only voice of reason. Go figure.

You are in WAY over your head !

If you really don't know all those things, You should.
You could very easily hurt yourself or, god forbid, some
bystander or helper. Doing a six foot stone in public
reqires extra care with regards to safety.

If you are serious about participating in this symposium
and really want good advice ...  HIRE SOMEONE !

Hire yourself an assistant from a local stone shop.
Someone that knows what they're doing.

You are still the artist, but as for the fabrication in
stone, maybe you should act more as a helper.

Or just back out of that symposium before you hurt
somebody. Maybe you could switch your design to a
material your more familiar with.

I know it is very exciting to have the opportunity to
carve a large marble sculpture, and I'm sure, hard to
pass up, but don't be a fool. I predict the best case
senario is you break you back for seven weeks, make a
embarrassingly small dent in the stone, bloody all your
knuckes and break all your tools. Go home broke and
frustrated.

All the greatest advice from the most experieced carvers
in the world will not replace your lack of experience.

Of course experience is all about doing it Erik, but
start small, in private, or with a workshop or class.

And good luck, I hope everthing works out.

Steven Humphrey