I had an idea the other day that I would take a few photos of my workshop and post them in this Blog. So, I started to look around for suitable places to take snapshots - at the machines and the workstations and the walls - and I was struck by a realization.
My studio, over time, has been decorated just like any other room where I spend a lot of time and it reflects both the way I organize physical things - and also the way I symbolically represent my mind and spirit. In other words, in addition to the functional items (like tools, etc.) there are; pictures, photos of my 'gurus', icons, statues, models, carved symbols, and so on. Looked at from a certain perspective, it is almost like creating a place of high-reverance.
And here's what brought it home for me. I found myself remembering things of a similar nature I had seen in other wood artist studios, and with those memories came the realization that I am not alone in this. In fact, I would suggest that walls and shelves decorated with a craftsman's 'knick knacks' is more the norm than the exception to the rule.
The point here is not that there is an inordinate amount of superstition or artificial piety in the life and thinking of an artist. It is that we make our spaces meaningful. I myself have seen - in various studios I have visited - the statues of gods, goddesses, saints and the like. I have seen technical articles on a wood artist's favorite wood glue. I have seen photos of children and pets. I have seen incense burners and shrines. And I have also seen a chisel embedded in the wall by a spinning tablesaw blade after the operator mistakenly thought it would work as a push stick - said chisel left in the wall as a reminder not to ever do that again.
They are all symbols. And they all have meaning to the master of the shop. Most people will never know they exist - but he or she will know. And, she or he will see them and be with them every day. They are an integral part of the process.
So, I am not going to post any photos - just these thoughts. I would very much enjoy hearing any stories or thoughts on this subject from anyone who has them.
Until next time.....
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