Originally Posted by
Harold Balzonia
And that's the thought that gets to me... what is "better" when it comes to wood turning? For me, form is of primary importance and overshadows everything else. There are guidelines that when used produce work (whether turnings, furniture, photography, etc.) that is rather universal in its aesthetic appeal. Those guidelines/principals have been the same for centuries. When those are incorporated into a turning, IMO it will be "better" when compared to a piece that has a good surface, beautiful wood, and color, but lacks good form.
Do you compare your work to other people's? No, and in fact, as you noted I think this is counterproductive and stifles creativity.
Do you look at some work and think "meh, I could do that... it's not that hard..." Sometimes, but that doesn't address whether I "want" to do so. Like most beginning turners, when I started I often did "want to try that" to as it was a way to push myself and learn new skills. Now, however, while I have no desire to replicate someone's else s work, I may still see techniques, embellishment applications, etc. that I find interesting and I often will think of how I might incorporate that technique into the work I want to do. I have done that with basket illusion, acrylic texturing, embossed texturing, color, metal reactive paints, carvings, and so on.
Do others view this hobby/career as "competitive" and does it affect the way you work? Yes, but only as to my own work, capabilities and artistic expression. I do sell the vast majority of what I turn and every piece is done as well as I can do it at that moment, with the skills I have, and given the results I intended at the beginning. So in that sense I "compete with myself." However, I know I approach turning from an entirely different perspective than do others. I enjoy turning "one offs" and the "idea" or inspiration happens first, then I develop how the piece needs to be turned, either mentally and often with sketches, and what wood will be used. I am just not interested in competing against anyone else. I am doing the best I can do given what the good Lord has blessed me with, so competing against others would have no gain and would destroy the fun of turning - at least for me.
Do the production turners in the forum feel pressure to "beat" the other guys? (Whatever that means). Are you ever driven to "one up" something you see from another turner?I am not a production turner, but I would think that if one's livelihood depends on the product produced, there would have to be considerations of price, supply demands, etc. However, once a niche is found, I think those factors may diminish. But, again, my thoughts on this are meaningless as I complete a piece or two every 3-4 weeks, so I am far removed from being a production turner!