posted
One of the things I enjoy most is teaching others about the things I am passionate about. It's most enjoyable when the folks I'm teaching are passionate to learn.
Our best hope to continue the craft is in those who come after us.
Our workshops are one such venue and we've had some great folks visit here eager to gain that knowlege, much to my delight!
At each workshop one of the attendees is little Phoebe. She loves to hang with 'her people' as she calls them and insists on putting on her paint clothes and working alongside them too.
Little Phoebe is amazing to watch... the minute she dips her brush in the paint the world around her ceases to exist until she's satisfied with what she's done.
Its going to be very interesting to see just how far she takes her talent and love of painting. Everything surrounding Phoebe on a daily basis is 'normal' to her... it's just the way it is. Imagine how wild her definition of outrageous will be for her as she grows up and develops her skills!!
Dreaming of an amazing future in Yarrow...
-grampa dan
[ May 14, 2008, 02:24 AM: Message edited by: Dan Sawatzky ]
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Sawatzky's Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.ca http://www.imaginationcorporation.ca
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 5807 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
I know how you feel about Phoebe. She is a sweetie with all the assets.
The craft will continue as long as we continue to inspire and teach the younger generations. They just need direction.
I'm blown away that Vicki is now Gilding and Scrolling a restored paddle steamer now in South Australia after telling me she just wanted to paint pictures for a living.
posted
Great Post Dan! I remember when my little girl was a little one like Phoebe. My daughter is 17 now and she has been exposed to creativity all her young life. Her mother is an artist and musician and her Dad is a sign artist and musician. She has been taking classical guitar for the last 4 years and next year she is in photography at her performing arts school. She has a great eye for photography.
Even if she chooses a career in something other than the arts she will always have that seed of creativity planted by her parents.
posted
Cute little thing, and it actually makes me a bit sad. Our "Craft" seems to be rapidly pulling to the wayside to let automation pass is by. I remember a time when my own portrait engraving medium was something unusual. Then about 10 years ago I saw the computerized engravings in the same medium, brass, bronze and aluminum to boot with all of the same detail as mine but executed in 1/20th the time. The new 6 axis CNCs in the machining world are something that my Swiss Products partner and I will be looking at this summer, but the other application is for wood. Perfectly executed in-the-round carvings that lack in no detail whatsoever, all done in minutes instead of carefully crafted hours. We're a dying breed, Daniel. I fear that the only things we'll be passing to our grandchildren are the abilities to mirror an age gone by in the sign world. Even your own success with your routers have shown that. If we think that the majority of the paying public will financially appreciate the difference between a 5 axis router execution and one of our own chisel and mallet pieces, we're kidding ourselves. Even airbrush artwork is now executed by broad bed systems that actually do use paint/ink fed airbrushes that are perfection personified. I'm actually glad that I lived during a time of individual skill appreciation. Cute little thing, for sure.
P
-------------------- Pierre St.Marie Stmariegraphics Kalispell,Mt www.stmariegraphics.com ------------------ Plan on knowing everything before I die and time's running out! Posts: 4193 | From: Kalispell,Mt 59903 | Registered: Mar 2000
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posted
It is a wonderful achievement, yet very sad, that our world is screaming headlong into technology and automation. Like Dan, I think we must try to preserve things done by hand. It's actually frightening to think that things have progressed ( de-gressed ) so far that many people have no concept of hand craftsmanship.
I recently did a sandblasted sign for a local vocational school. After taking a brief tour of the facility and noticing that they offered computer training, woodworking, building trades, welding, etc., I asked the director if they had any graphic arts or sign-related programs. I went on to explain to her that, in the course of my sign life, I had done some of about everything they offered, and would they think about letting me lecture or give some directional input to students about the possibility of learning our profession.
She was very interested; they do not offer that training now, and said she would bring it up next month at the regional director's meetings. I'm not a professional teacher by any means, but I have a real love for our craft, and I believe I can possibly open some eyes of some kids who are seeking some direction in their lives. I don't know of too many professions that offer the variety, interest, and satisfaction of the sign business; nor the possibility to take it as far as they want (or are able to) take it.
I know these things are "iffy" at best; but if we don't at least try, we lose.
posted
The craft is alive and well in Pontiac! We never set out to push the boys to go into the sign trade. They were raised in it though and this is what they chose. Go figure! I blame it on all those letterhead meets!!
-------------------- Jane Diaz Diaz Sign Art 628 W. Lincoln Ave. Pontiac, Il. 61764 815-844-7024 www.diazsignart.com Posts: 2679 | From: Pontiac, IL USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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posted
Yup. Myn two grew up in it and are still with it, but the difference now is that they've realized which way the wind is blowing and fine lettering and illustrating brushes are being replaced by insanely expensive and ever changing equipment. They'll keep riding the crest of technology and make a good living, and I suppose even my whining pales in the face of simple financial reality.
P
-------------------- Pierre St.Marie Stmariegraphics Kalispell,Mt www.stmariegraphics.com ------------------ Plan on knowing everything before I die and time's running out! Posts: 4193 | From: Kalispell,Mt 59903 | Registered: Mar 2000
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There's always been something more satisfying and fulfilling about manual labor or producing something by hand, that can not be had when using automation.
In a time when people are becoming more aware they need fulfillment from their work, they will become less satisfied with it the more technology encroaches upon it, and will seek other opportunities.
-------------------- "...31..."
Mike Pipes stickerpimp.com Lake Havasu, AZ mike@stickerpimp.com Posts: 8229 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ USA | Registered: Jun 2000
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posted
You're right, Mike...... But feeling fulfilled needs to go hand in hand with a fulfilled bank account. If I were to open a new shop and compete with my own son, me utilizing my fulfilling technology, and him using his state-of-the-art technology, I'd be eating at his house every day.
P
-------------------- Pierre St.Marie Stmariegraphics Kalispell,Mt www.stmariegraphics.com ------------------ Plan on knowing everything before I die and time's running out! Posts: 4193 | From: Kalispell,Mt 59903 | Registered: Mar 2000
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posted
Nice family photo Diaz's That is a reallly nice glass piece on the wall behind you guys too.
I hope one of my three daughters(16,10,8) will take over for me here someday. I enjoy having them here, most of the time. Right now they want to be a veterinarian(16), a dentist(8), my 10 year old isn't sure what she wants to do yet.
posted
So, Donald.......... The future possiblity exists that you could be a neutered sign guy with great teeth?
P
-------------------- Pierre St.Marie Stmariegraphics Kalispell,Mt www.stmariegraphics.com ------------------ Plan on knowing everything before I die and time's running out! Posts: 4193 | From: Kalispell,Mt 59903 | Registered: Mar 2000
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Of course, Todd Gill wouldn't get any work done either if his desk looked like mine.
I don't know if these kiddos will grow up appreciating the craft but they enjoy "helping" out by banging on Grandpa's keyboard and thereby changing all his software parameters, getting into the markers and decorating the walls, furniture, and each other, stuffing sandwiches in the plotter, tossing unopened checks in the recycle bin, sitting on Grandpa's lap while he's trying check his email, etc... and Grandpa wouldn't have it any other way!
-------------------- David Harding A Sign of Excellence Carrollton, TX Posts: 2919 | From: Carrollton, TX, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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