From:
"Ron Masa" <ron@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date:
Sat, 3 Feb 2001 11:45:40 -0700
Subject:
Grand speculation on the roots of creativity, Sam
-----Original Message-----
Quoted text begins.From: Sam Stevens
... I would like to try my hand
in a material more permanent ...
End of quote.
Welcome Sam, HI to all,
You may get further advice.. (or even good advice) there is much to be said
about your email... But i would just like to applaud you and encourage you
to appreciate the overlooked-miracle of the birthing into this world of a
self-contained talent or possibly a calling. (Michaelangelo has to come
back as somebody!)
I, too, once played at carving a low grade alabaster chunk with a pocket
knife, at age forty, and realized that Wow, somehow, i can already do this!
and needed no (initial) training. Each new piece will teach you what you
need to know. Sometimes sculpting is a part of who we are. What we're
wired for. It just comes through us... if we're willing to break rocks like
a prisoner.... and if we then we add skill and experience... So whatever
you do:
Stay in touch with your own Original Spontaneous Impulses to
Create....
An Intuitive Sculptor is the servant if that impulse. Also the the
hands, heart, eyes, and groin-- of that impulse.
ANd let us not undervalue the visionary capacity of the mind which precedes
or accompanies the "carving process". WHO showed you those particular
images? First of Abraham's devotion to God over his own son... and the
invention of the "scape-goat".... Then to the lounging, watery mermaid of
the great oceans.... closer maybe to the ancient Goddess religions.
Definitely a preChristian, Yin, take on Reality.
These two images express esthetically, much about the Opposites that
comprise our 50-50 world... of day/nite.. Yin/Yang.. Ford/Chevy.. or
Feminine and Masculine. So, Let's give credit to the imaginer, no? Plato
said all of reality is created this way. From pure forms in the imaginal
realm.. So each day our thoughts may be sculpting not only our stones, but
our whole lives.
Every sculptor/builder/creator/designer is, in part, continuously looking
at what is Not There.... yet. This side of sculpting happens in the
invisible realms. For me, Sculpting always happens in two worlds. For me,
and the sculpting-pals i associate with, Sculpting is a form of "church," an
active real-time communion with something other, something higher.
And a word on soap sculpting: This is a great way for kids to enjoy or
practice sculpting... ANYONE can offer it to some of the kids they
encounter. Sculpting tools: butter knife and a spoon, etc. (Soap slipped
right off of Mohs Hardness scale, so anything works.)
Briefly, i'd suggest you order Dona Meilach's wonderful book on (?)
Contemporary Stone Sculpting for a wealth of info... and try some soft
alabasters or soapstone (needs breath mask) for friendly, tactile stones.
Any object harder than the stone itself is a tool. Old Woodcarving tools or
Hand drills with rotary rasps or bits, or anything in your tool shed might
do. You usually already have whatever is really needed... Add on later.
Others will fill you in, i hope, on basic tool sets, attitude, Safety, love
of stone, whatever. Happy carving.
And, come to think of it: You have begun in the same way as that renowned
soap sculptor, John Dillinger. Happy carving...
Be Well,
Doctor Ron
www.UniversityofYourself.com
"Helping you hear the Guide Inside"
Since only the Black Box survives a plane crash,
Why don't they build the whole plane
out of Black Box material?
- Follow-ups
- message 00834: adventures of an absolute beginner - Sam Stevens (10 Feb 2001)
- References
- message 00838: introducing myself - Sam Stevens (02 Feb 2001)
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