When do we become overly attached?

[Aix Sponsa]

Hi;
I was undercutting the primary flight feathers on my black capped chickadee and it occured to me that I was thinking of the carving as a living thing. It is not really suprising that I got attached to what I was doing; but it was still suprising to me when it happened.
So when do you typically find yourself developing an attachment to a work? Does it happen with every work or just some?

[Thor]

Hi Aix Sponsa,

I completely understand what you're writing about. I think each piece is considered an extension of yourself while you are working on it. You put so much effort, thought, and time into it, you should care about it.
The important part to me, is when to let go. You have to let it go have a life of its own after you finish, so you can give the next piece as much attention. Now, that is not to say that you have to sell it or give it away. There are just a few pieces that I will not let go of. They simply have too much of me in them for anyone to understand. But the others, I am happy to see appreciated by others enough for them to want them.

It isn't with every single piece of mine that I am attached, but most.
Christina

[Buffalo Bif]

At the beginning of any piece, it's just a block of wood and a thought in my head. Eventually it changes from thing to him (or her), generally when the face begins to show expression I think. Letting go- that's easy. I love it when something I did finds a good home, I figure the 'life' I gave it includes leaving, and I can always make another. I've been selfish about a few things, I'm the only one who has all four bottle stoppers I've ever done- but I'll do another for anyone who asks.

Prolly the easiest way for me to kepp things is for my wife to ask for them.

[Paul_Guraedy]

Reading the last couple of posts got me to thinking. I suppose it is feeling of attachment (other than the carver who would want an unfinished carving); but, I do have a feeling of relationship with a carving.....until it is finished. I guess it is the knowledge that I could make another one that brings closure; but, upon the declaration of it being finished my attachment ceases. We do have a number of my carvings here in the house, most because Diana wanted them. There are a few that I would keep unless circumstanes forced me to part with them These are not necessarily examples of my best work. They are carvings that took me a long time, a lot of effort, and are a genre that I never intend to do again. I guess this is my over attachment.

[Aix Sponsa]

I have thought about that moving on stage of the work a lot. My teacher/mentor was smart and started me with a peice that is promiced out to someone when it was done. So after that I decided to give away my next three peiced to friend who have helped me a lot. I am considering giving away most of my work to family and friends for awhile provided it is quality enough to make a good gift.

[Aix Sponsa]

I have this strang bond with birds, I am not certain why i am so drawn to them. So as soon as a peice starts to look like a bird I start to Identify with it. So I can't stand to damage one.

[Aix Sponsa]

I know people who keep thier work and i am sure I will one day as well. Perhaps even this first bird is one I should keep.

[CV3]

There are some carvings I just do. I guess it is the ones I do a lot of for others. And then there are those that I would describe as the ones I be come part of. I am so engrossed in what I am doing that a whole day can go by and I have only stopped to hit the restroom. I think I would go though the night if my wife would let me. Those are the times I really love carving.

[torpidhummer]

When I carve either owls,falcons or hawks,I can n't help to get that feeling of admiration for such majestic birds and each group of feathers have a purpose in the birds life. Each time I board an airplane,I hope each feather on airplane is in place to
get airborne,I do believe birds had something to do about building the airplanes. . So yes I do get attached to each and every bird I carve and admire these great birds.
Oscar

[gtech]

At first, I was attached to everything I was carving. I had the feeling I could never duplicate what I had just carved. Then, I realized that my following carvings were getting better, and I began to be able to give away some of my first carvings that I considered not that good anymore... but only to those who wouldn't care getting my first efforts. For example, my sister is proud of owning my first horse relief.

But I still have the same problem... I am getting attached to my latest carvings...

Gilles