David Cramer
03-07-2008, 10:45 AM
Ya Gotta Love that David Marks!!!!
I will admit I am as opinionated as the next guy or gal, and let's face it, we all have one whether we express it openly or not.
But……………even though most of the posts mentioning the name David Marks are positive, some just really surprise me and get under my skin, just a little. Yes, we all have the right to our own opinion, but one should also be well informed and have some basis for what they say or write. I believe I do.
I took a bowl turning class with David about a year and half ago. It was absolutely one of the best days of my entire life. I looked forward to it like a child looks forward to Christmas morning and opening of presents. David did not disappoint.
David Marks IS a master woodworker and he is HIGHLY skilled in many different areas. If someone doesn't like a project that he built, that's their right. If his style is not their taste, that's their right also. But to make petty complaints about this project or that project or that he doesn't do this right or that right, really have no merit. I for one, am extremely grateful that the show exists and is still being aired to this day, even though they are re-runs.
As far as David goes, he's a class guy all the way around. He is highly skilled in the field of public presentation. To me, he talks with a perfect tone and pace, not at all rushing, yet definitely trying to get all of the info out to the students and in the process, making sure that everyone understands what he's saying. He speaks well and I believe, truly wants every student to learn and understand what he says, and then to apply it. Translation: he's not just there for the money. The man is really compassionate about teaching.
If you goof up, he comes over to where you're working and kindly goes over it with you, without making you feel like an idiot. I can personally attest to that. I wasn't riding the bevel just right, and David, about 3 lathes away could hear it and immediately came over to show me what I was doing wrong. He then went right back to the student that he was working with and all was well. He could've blown me off and let me deal with major tear out, but he was at my lathe before any damage was done. When he heard the sound, he said "David, hold on there".
During the class, he took the time to stop many times to get the class together and show the next step in making the bowl. He took his time and didn't rush anybody. The class was supposed to be from 9-5, but my family was there at about 4:45 pm and we still had more to do. I asked my wife if she and the kids could give me one more hour and come back at 6. When they did, at least 3/4 of the class was still there and David was going from student to student helping out with anything questions they had. Unfortunately, I had to leave :(.
My daughter and son had been watching David for about 2 years, Monday-Friday at 8:00a.m., before going to school. While they ate breakfast, they watched Woodworks. They are now 8 and 12, but were 4 (daughter) and 8 (son) when they started watching him with me. Well when my daughter, 6 at the time (almost 7) found out that dad was going to get to take a class with David Marks, she was just a little excited!!! The morning of the class, she couldn't believe he was actually going to be at our local Woodcraft. When the class was close to over (6 pm but still going strong), my wife, son and daughter were going to check out the last part of the class from the outside the shop, then we were going to go out to eat (it was Friday).
Well as I was packing up my tools, my wife let my daughter go into the class and approach David with her piece of paper saying on it, autograph, David Marks please sign here. David was as kind as any human being could have been. I don't think my daughter actually said one word except maybe a very quiet hi. She was beaming and just staring at him. I had an older fella on a lathe next to me who was watching them both. He said would you look at her cheeks. They were red and getting redder by the second. I was cracking up. David had no idea how much she wanted to meet him and how much she liked him.
Well, that was the end and I said good bye to David, shook his hand and said thanks for the wonderful class and that I had learned a lot. He said you're welcome and I'm glad you enjoyed yourself and had fun. I turned with my daughter and started to walk towards the doors outside of the classroom, where my wife and son were waiting. We got outside and I turned to shut the double doors behind me and almost closed them on David. He had followed me and my daughter across the entire shop and said "hey, I wanted to meet your family". Talk about nice! I was blown away as was my wife and son. David's wife, Victoria is simply put, an absolutely beautiful lady, so I knew David was one of those "good looking guys". Don't ya just hate those guys:D! He came out and chatted with my wife and son and then had Matthew the owner, take a few pictures of us all together.
Anyways, he is again, nothing but a classy guy, an absolutely great teacher, and a highly skilled woodworker. It is not just my opinion, it's experience. If you have the chance to take a class with David, do it! You won't regret it as I've yet to hear one person ever complain about him after taking one of his classes, it's only those who haven't actually experienced him in person that seem to make the occassional negative comment. My goal is to take a class in his California workshop within the next 5 years or so. If I can't make it happen financially, I'll shoot for the next 5 years. One way or another, I'm getting there!!!
In closing, I know this was long, but hey, it's my nature:). I know what I speak of based off of seeing most of his shows and then actually meeting and taking a class with David. I just get tired of the occasional negative/rude comment about David, and to me, it's just not being fair to the guy. I guess I take it too personally, but that's because I know as a fact that it's not true. He's as cool:cool: as they come.
Thanks for reading, and again, the majority of comments are positive, but the naysayers really don't know what they speak of. I am not related to David and had never met him before that class, I'm just a satisfied customer!
Thanks for reading!
p.s. I just wanted to say kudos to David Marks and show people what my personal experience was and what a great guy he really is. Hats off to David Marks! I had this typed up before the last David Marks post someone recently made, but I'm "computer challenged" and was trying to figure out how to put a picture of David and my daughter up without asking. I should have asked. I'm into power tools, not computers, so sorry for the delay.
http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg300/dcramer1316/100_0992.jpg
I will admit I am as opinionated as the next guy or gal, and let's face it, we all have one whether we express it openly or not.
But……………even though most of the posts mentioning the name David Marks are positive, some just really surprise me and get under my skin, just a little. Yes, we all have the right to our own opinion, but one should also be well informed and have some basis for what they say or write. I believe I do.
I took a bowl turning class with David about a year and half ago. It was absolutely one of the best days of my entire life. I looked forward to it like a child looks forward to Christmas morning and opening of presents. David did not disappoint.
David Marks IS a master woodworker and he is HIGHLY skilled in many different areas. If someone doesn't like a project that he built, that's their right. If his style is not their taste, that's their right also. But to make petty complaints about this project or that project or that he doesn't do this right or that right, really have no merit. I for one, am extremely grateful that the show exists and is still being aired to this day, even though they are re-runs.
As far as David goes, he's a class guy all the way around. He is highly skilled in the field of public presentation. To me, he talks with a perfect tone and pace, not at all rushing, yet definitely trying to get all of the info out to the students and in the process, making sure that everyone understands what he's saying. He speaks well and I believe, truly wants every student to learn and understand what he says, and then to apply it. Translation: he's not just there for the money. The man is really compassionate about teaching.
If you goof up, he comes over to where you're working and kindly goes over it with you, without making you feel like an idiot. I can personally attest to that. I wasn't riding the bevel just right, and David, about 3 lathes away could hear it and immediately came over to show me what I was doing wrong. He then went right back to the student that he was working with and all was well. He could've blown me off and let me deal with major tear out, but he was at my lathe before any damage was done. When he heard the sound, he said "David, hold on there".
During the class, he took the time to stop many times to get the class together and show the next step in making the bowl. He took his time and didn't rush anybody. The class was supposed to be from 9-5, but my family was there at about 4:45 pm and we still had more to do. I asked my wife if she and the kids could give me one more hour and come back at 6. When they did, at least 3/4 of the class was still there and David was going from student to student helping out with anything questions they had. Unfortunately, I had to leave :(.
My daughter and son had been watching David for about 2 years, Monday-Friday at 8:00a.m., before going to school. While they ate breakfast, they watched Woodworks. They are now 8 and 12, but were 4 (daughter) and 8 (son) when they started watching him with me. Well when my daughter, 6 at the time (almost 7) found out that dad was going to get to take a class with David Marks, she was just a little excited!!! The morning of the class, she couldn't believe he was actually going to be at our local Woodcraft. When the class was close to over (6 pm but still going strong), my wife, son and daughter were going to check out the last part of the class from the outside the shop, then we were going to go out to eat (it was Friday).
Well as I was packing up my tools, my wife let my daughter go into the class and approach David with her piece of paper saying on it, autograph, David Marks please sign here. David was as kind as any human being could have been. I don't think my daughter actually said one word except maybe a very quiet hi. She was beaming and just staring at him. I had an older fella on a lathe next to me who was watching them both. He said would you look at her cheeks. They were red and getting redder by the second. I was cracking up. David had no idea how much she wanted to meet him and how much she liked him.
Well, that was the end and I said good bye to David, shook his hand and said thanks for the wonderful class and that I had learned a lot. He said you're welcome and I'm glad you enjoyed yourself and had fun. I turned with my daughter and started to walk towards the doors outside of the classroom, where my wife and son were waiting. We got outside and I turned to shut the double doors behind me and almost closed them on David. He had followed me and my daughter across the entire shop and said "hey, I wanted to meet your family". Talk about nice! I was blown away as was my wife and son. David's wife, Victoria is simply put, an absolutely beautiful lady, so I knew David was one of those "good looking guys". Don't ya just hate those guys:D! He came out and chatted with my wife and son and then had Matthew the owner, take a few pictures of us all together.
Anyways, he is again, nothing but a classy guy, an absolutely great teacher, and a highly skilled woodworker. It is not just my opinion, it's experience. If you have the chance to take a class with David, do it! You won't regret it as I've yet to hear one person ever complain about him after taking one of his classes, it's only those who haven't actually experienced him in person that seem to make the occassional negative comment. My goal is to take a class in his California workshop within the next 5 years or so. If I can't make it happen financially, I'll shoot for the next 5 years. One way or another, I'm getting there!!!
In closing, I know this was long, but hey, it's my nature:). I know what I speak of based off of seeing most of his shows and then actually meeting and taking a class with David. I just get tired of the occasional negative/rude comment about David, and to me, it's just not being fair to the guy. I guess I take it too personally, but that's because I know as a fact that it's not true. He's as cool:cool: as they come.
Thanks for reading, and again, the majority of comments are positive, but the naysayers really don't know what they speak of. I am not related to David and had never met him before that class, I'm just a satisfied customer!
Thanks for reading!
p.s. I just wanted to say kudos to David Marks and show people what my personal experience was and what a great guy he really is. Hats off to David Marks! I had this typed up before the last David Marks post someone recently made, but I'm "computer challenged" and was trying to figure out how to put a picture of David and my daughter up without asking. I should have asked. I'm into power tools, not computers, so sorry for the delay.
http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg300/dcramer1316/100_0992.jpg