I have started receiving quite a few questions about how I do things, so I have decided to try and make Tuesday Tips & Tricks Tuesday. First, I want to clarify some things so there are fewer hurt feelings - including mine. I hope. If this comes off as arrogant I apologize in advance. I got my feelings hurt last night because I was told I was not good at being helpful. And I know better. :) I think a good mentor is NOT one who gives you his or her answers, but helps you to discover your own. Meaning - if you ask me how to do something, I am probably not going to give you the easiest answer. If I tell you how to do something in the most labor intensive way possible, you will quickly decide there has to be a better way and probably go look for it. :) Just like I did. I may not even give you a direct answer, and you possibly might get a simple, I am not divulging that - though the last is highly unlikely. Part of becoming the artist you are meant to be is by gaining knowledge. If I gave you a quiz and then handed you the answer sheet, would you even bother reading the questions? I wouldnt. And I would never learn. If I handed you the quiz and then gave you a hint at where/how to find the answers, you have to read the question. You have to search for the answer. You have to commit part of yourself to learning. I think it is a huge disservice to just give someone the answers. You steal from them the satisfaction of figuring it out and firmly implanting it in their mind as a tool. Here is the thing people are weird about: Proprietary Information. Some of what makes my stuff my stuff is the way I go about doing it. It is part of why I will set you on the road to knowledge, not carry you down it. But it is also because 13 years is a very long time and I have worked hard for most of those 13 years to be where I am with my stuff today. Dont be afraid to ask. Also please dont be offended if I say no. TODAYS TIP: The biggest mistake beginners make is OVERHANDLING THEIR CLAY. It is the mark of a beginner. Things that have simply been worked too much, look overworked. It is probably the hardest thing I have had to learn. I tell myself if the phrase just one more enters my mind, it is a bad idea. I seriously hope I offended no one, but wanted to get that out of the way so next week it is just a happy, simple tip! ;) Happy sculpting!
Posted on: Tue, 30 Sep 2014 15:58:39 +0000
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