Thoughts from a laid up turner

[Scott Hackler]

So here I sit. Can't do a darn thing on the lathe (or rather shouldn't be), until my carpal tunnel surgery heals up and I have been site jumping and studying magazines and have had a small epiphany.

I have pulled out my previously turned things, compared them chronologically to how I have progressed and compared them to the caliber of work that the "masters" consistently produce. It is a strange thing to have this much time on my hands to NOT do physical things and create. I studied the latest pieces I have made and made mental notes of the ones that had received more positive (and few, if any, negative) comments. I have come to the conclusion that my New Years resolution is going to be to "step it up a BIG notch".

You see, the pieces I truly admire and garner the most attention and praise from turners and art lovers alike, are ....well... usually... on a different plane of their form, creativity, fit and finish. I suffer from "hurry up and get it done" syndrome. Call it turner ADD or what ever, but I am going to try to stop this rapid fire method. I am going to start slowing down, possibly sketching designs, trial and error, trashing things that don't make the cut, and going that extra step towards perceived perfection. Even if it means weeks and weeks on one particular item.

A lot of this mindset was brought on by an offer for a turning trade (one of my newer ones) by a very well respected turner. This came as a surprise and is very flattering to me, but as I shopped this turner's site for an equal trade value item I noticed a reoccurring theme of excellence and not a lot of weird experimentation (the "just throw it against the wall and hope something sticks" method). This brought to mind the way I haphazardly go about designing things and then letting the whole world see them. Some things I don't even like, but I show them anyway!

So... LOOKOUT! Next year might be semi-slow on quantity, but hopefully I will make up for it on quality and creativity (already have some ideas).

Happy New year, my friends!

Scott

[David E Keller]

Sounds like an interesting journey! I've had some similar thoughts over the last few weeks/months, but I struggle to find the time it takes to do what you describe... My turning time is so sporadic, and I rarely get several hours strung together that allow for the kind of focus that I think is needed to do the kind of work you're talking about. Congrats on the offer for a trade... It's a great honor when a fellow turner wants a piece of your work!

I wonder if I'm gonna get all introspective in a few weeks when I'm in your shoes? I've got my sketch pad ready just in case it happens!

[mike ash]

Scott and David - If you two guys think you need to turn up the heat on the quality/creativity burner......I gotta put in some double overtime!!!!

Mike Ash

[Thomas Canfield]

Stay challenged Scott while you recoverer. I am not sure about you stepping it up a notch - that would put you way out there. I empathise with you in not working for several weeks or months. My Powermatic got loaded in a POD 2 weeks ago and it will be at least 4 weeks before a new shop can be built and then get all the equipment back in operation, but turning will deifinitely come first.

[Hayes Rutherford]

Scott, I have followed at least some of your progress and have no doubt you are going places in the woodturning world. My suggestion, if you haven't already done it, is to write down SPECIFICALLY what you want to achieve in the next year and do whatever it takes to get there. You don't need to relate this to anyone, maybe only to someone that has also set goals. Happy new year!

[Steve Schlumpf]

Scott - I hope you are healing well and get back to turning soon! The goal of upping your game this coming year makes sense and if I could be so bold as to sum it up in one word, that would be 'focus'. I look forward to seeing new works from you this year... no pressure!

[Dennis Ford]

Scott, it sounds like you have a plan to improve your turnings (which are already extremely good). I hope that you can resist the lathe long enough to heal properly.

[jared herbert]

ihad carpel tunnel surgery on both hands yesterday and am going nuts not used to so much enforced time off spent a lot of time pecking on my computer today and looking at all my magazines i only glanced thru before jared

[Harry Robinette]

Scott and Jared
PLEASE let your selfs heal completely before you try any turning. It's worth the time to heal before you get hurt all over. Scott set your goal and go for it just remember we all like to see the bad with the good.
Heal up guys we're all pulling for you.

[Dan Forman]

Scott --- As one who has a very hard time visualizing spatial relationships, I find sketching out a very good aid, and time and material saver. Hope you allow yourself to heal properly, and can find things to interest you until the time comes to get back to the lathe. Such periods of forced inactivity and contemplation can lead to quantum leaps when the action begins anew.

Dan

[John Keeton]

Scott, my prayers and best wishes for your speedy recovery - and, for you too, Jared. For what it is worth, Ms. Keeton and I have two lazy boy recliners facing the TV, with a table between that I made back in the flatwork days. On the magazine shelf of the table is where my sketch pad, ruler, pencil and eraser reside. I use plain copy paper for rough sketches for form, and then transfer that idea to scale on the 1/4" grid paper. That way, I can utilize time during some really boring TV programs for thinking and sketching - time I would not otherwise be in the shop anyway.

I know you want to explore the gallery idea, and market your work. That is my continuing goal, as well. While I think you have done some amazingly creative works that are outside the box, unless you concentrate on one or two of those concepts the overall marketability would be limited. If folks end up collecting your work, they will do so because it fits their decor, it reflects their concept of beauty, and it is a recognizable "Hackler." Hard to accomplish those goals with "one off" pieces.

Perhaps 2012 will find us seeking similar goals!! I can do without the CTS surgery as a motivator, but I do intend on "focusing" (as Steve puts it) more this year.

Now, if I could just quit buying more wood.........:o

[Ken Hill]

Yeah you guys suck, better work harder:eek::D

I would agree, if you guys think you need more focus then lord helps us!

[Roger Chandler]

I guess focus will mean that you leave off the functional turnings and go all out "artsy-fartsy." I do not say that to be crude or disrespecting of artists...........or their work. I myself am drawn to the artsy stuff. Even with 2 universities, and 2 colleges here in our area, most of the folks seem to like the functional pieces more..........ask my why.........I don't know unless when they are willing to part with money for something, then it must have a practical purpose for them.

I guess it depends on ones goals.........if one wants to become "known" and see that as a means to income, then it might be a viable plan.............providing their turnings reach that level of recognition. Taking weeks or months to do a piece for me, might have to wait till I am retired............I barely have time to turn a bowl much of the time.

I hope you heal quickly and completely Scott...............best of luck on reaching your goals.........I look forward to what you come up with, and see your inspiration take form.

[Alan Trout]

Scott,

John has brought up good points about your work, which is something I mentioned to you not long Ago. Details are the difference between a nice piece and a great piece. Take what you consider your unique work and develope it from that point. Get healed up so you can get working.

Alan

[Ed Morgano]

Scott,
I've followed your work for a while now and you are really doing some great and creative things now. I look forward to seeing what you come up with next. I've also had similar thoughts about slowing down, planning ahead etc., because I too suffer from the "get er done" syndrome. Take care to heal first. Happy New Year to you and everyone here on the Creek.

[Bill Wyko]

Attaboy!!! |You know I mainly focus on segmenting. When I first started I was more focused on the results and getting there rather than the journey. As my skill developed, I started realizing that the journey is the fun part. Once that mind set was achieved, I found my skill level went way up. I started trying new, more complicated designs. I also found the new acquired patience allowed me to become more accurate on wall thickness, form and wood selection. In addition, because I live in a small house, I don'thave a lot of room for quantity so I have to focus on quality and creativity. IMO you should try some complex segmenting. I think it's right up your alley. You're an incredibly talented turner so it's time to push the envelope even farther. Hope you heal to 100%. Enjoy your downtime and think of something beyond extraordinary.

Best wishes.

[Wally Dickerman]

Some interesting thoughts Scott...I'm surprised that you don't already have a sketch book. I think that every turner should have one. Not just to sketch the next piece you plan to turn but to sketch all sorts of things. I have a sketch book that is years old. It contains sketches of ideas, thoughts, things, shapes, forms that I liked and that I knew I would forget. I have gone through the sketch book and found something that I wrote or sketched perhaps 5 years ago and decided that I would use it in a turning.

I think that you'll find that most turners who sell all of their work,(I'm one of them), do not experiment with far out pieces as much as turners who aren't thinking about how well it will sell. Experimenting is one of the fun parts of turning but it usually doesn't bring in much money.

It would be interesting to know what new things you are contemplating in your new leisure time.

[Primvs Aebvtivs]

Good luck to both Scott and Jared on healing properly. My wife has Comstock Limber (sp?) Syndrome - a variation on CTS, where the muscles grow inside the tendon sheaths... AND where the little and ring finger muscles in the arm are still connected, unlike the more 'evolved' homo sapiens ave them separated (according to the hand specialist!)... She was up and running in a week, when they said take it easy for 6 - go figure...

As for sketching and improving design, good luck, I don't think you can (respectfully), if you do, I think I'll give up turning! Seriously, all the best, and I'll try to catch up, although it may take several years.

[Jamie Donaldson]

In addition to Wally's comments, I have collected cut-outs from catalogues, magazines, any source that has interesting info that I might apply to turning. A bit of paper glue allows for collecting a visual reference that aids me when I develop "turner's block."

[Scott Hackler]

Good thoughts, suggestions and comments. A sketch book is on my list for the next trip to Wal-Mart. I will scribble notes on the counter top in the shop when I am in there, but sitting here in the chair ....well, its a bit difficult to explain scribbles on the end table!

This year has been a wonderful, eye opening, experience. From attending the 2 largest symposiums, to studying the items from the "well respected" turners here and on the other sites, to the multiple magazines and studying my own work...... I know what it takes to improve. PATIENCE and attention to detail.

I completely understand Steve's little hint of FOCUS. My ADD method of jumping around to anything turned, was/is my own journey of discovery. A lot of them are things that I am just glad to "have gotten that out of my system"! I have some wild ideas on expanding some forms and shapes I already do. Some, I already know, are going to be very time consuming. Some are just a similar form, but of a higher quality.

I guess some of us aren't very satisfied with our work 100%. I think this drives me towards perceived perfection. For me, it's not about "getting rich as a turner", although selling something might be kinda cool! I don't think many achieve this and while the fame is nice...I guess... but more important to that would be achieving the level where I can comfortably share my knowledge and my "art" with others.

I did walk out into the shop today. Stared at the things needing finished.....and walked back into the house! Bummer! :)