[Ron Davidson]

Colin my friend you are a carver. I think right now you are having an identity crisis. The need to create is in this whole group of people. I know that I will never be the caliber of you and many many others on this forum. That is not my purpose mine is to do what I like to do and do the best that I can. You put what you have in your soul into your work and it shows in all your work carving or painting. I myself am glad to see your paintings they show a true artistic talent. As far as your carvings in which I have my walking staff I am proud to show people that want to see it and nobody has ever had negative coments about it. I am also proud to tell them that even though we have never met I consider you my friend. So you my friend are a carver and an aspiring painter wether you like it or not.



Ron

[love2carve2]

Colin,
I feel the same way. You do a a talent indeed. I have seen your site and am inspired by your work. I love coming here to this forum for inspiration. Every time I look at someone else's work, I am in awe and wish that I could do as well as what I see everyone else do.
You are a carver, like it or not.

[Callynne]

Colin, of course you are a woodcarver! I understand what you are saying though. I know you like my work and consider me an artist, but you know what, I have the very same doubts about my work. I think all true artists do, no matter what their medium or level of talents are.

Every single piece I do, I think I could (and should) have done differently and definitely better!!

I often have to smile when I think literally, that piece is too "wooden", meaning it doesn't have the movement I want it to have. I want to be so much better than I am and wish I'd started years (decades) earlier, so maybe I could be to where I want to be, creative wise, before I die! Know what, I don't think I could live long enough for that to happen, because I will always be striving to be better than I am today. That's what creative people do, create, thank goodness we've been given that gift, wouldn't life be boring if we didn't have the desire to at least try?!!

Yes, my friend, you are definitely a woodcarver, an artist and an inspiration to everyone who knows you! Deborah

[BobD]

As long as you are learning, you are a woodcarver! That's my theory. If you stop learning, it's time to find a new hobby because you've lost the passion!

I think passion is the call of a artist--without getting into the art vs craft arguement. You have a passion to create, my friend, and it IS the same passion that Michaeangelo had, what William Blake had, what Jim Morrison had, what Chris Pye has, what (insert favorite artist/musician/etc) has.

It's that creative drive that separates you from 90% of the rest of the population. You DON'T sit home and watch TV, you create.

In my opinion, it is the passion that makes it worthwhile--it doesn't matter how the project turns out. You are carving an expression out of your soul. Colin, you see these creations in the wood, and you are freeing them!

I feel the same way about people who carve from patterns, or from roughouts--you have made your mark on your carving...

Bob

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Remember William Alexander from the painting series on tv? He said that we all try to make each work our best but never achieve it, because if we did, we would quit.....if that was your "best work of your life" you would not be able to top it.....

[Thor]

HI Colin,
First of all, I wish I could give you a hug, but you're too far away. Having a low spot in your confidence is a pretty normal thing for an ambitious "artist". I think the hug equivalents from all who have already answered may help.
Second, please remember that when you say you are not a carver, it's like a woman standing next to another saying she's fat and ugly at 145 pounds when the 250 pound woman next to her thinks of 145 pounds as her ultimate goal weight. Or another thought is to hear a father say in front of his son (who looks just like him) that he's glad he didn't turn out looking like his ugly mug.
In other words, if you're not a carver, then where does that leave some of the rest of us? I'm a carver, but the ones that I'm better than think that I'm a lot better than I do. Comparing your work to those better than yours keeps it real.
Third, I really love watching you enjoy, share, and expand your talents. You have a wonderful spirit that does inspire others with kind words and sensitive expressions.
Please call yourself an artist, carver, painter, and a mountie. That is certainly how all of us on this board think of you.
Thor

[whitecree]

Colin, you are probably just tired right now. I don't mean just sleepy, but your creativity as expressed through your hands in wood, is tired.

Rest awhile, think of other things. Go for a walk in the city, do a little girl watching at the mall. Take a pot of coffee out back and - snow and all - stretch out on a lounger and stare at the sky.

In other words, take a break and allow yourself some slack time to recharge. When you go back to it in a day or a week (or a month) you'll find yourself carving better than ever.

Although how much more you could improve, I dunno. You're already pretty darn impressive...

[Richard_FL]

Originally Posted by Hi_Ho_Sliver

Remember William Alexander from the painting series on tv? He said that we all try to make each work our best but never achieve it, because if we did, we would quit.....if that was your "best work of your life" you would not be able to top it.....

Yep that about sums up how I feel. Something picked up with ease is just as easily layed aside again.

[Nancy-ID]

Colin, my man, blame it on that cold, cold, white northern country! Sounds to me that you are going through a bit of a bout with depression. (been there done that). After reading your post I went back and looked at your site and your photos on here, man, give yourself a break! You are most definately a carver and a damned good one. I just love your new stuff too, the Haida art you are doing. You are an artist, carver, creator. Don't doubt that. When I post my stuff here and everyone is going on about how great it is, you being one of them, do I believe it all ? No way, I think you guys are just trying to make me feel good. That warthog winning
BOS I still am confused about. There was really good carving there. I know I do a good job for a beginner, but I am just that, I will never feel like I am that good until I can look at a piece and it hits me that, "that looks real". Real seems to be the goal my mind has set for myself but I know I will never reach that goal. But as long as I can sit upright I will keep trying.
I also think that those of us who doubt our abilitys are the true artists, not those who think they are the best of the best.
All this rambling is all your fault Colin
Have a great day, keep warm and show us more of your beautiful work soon.

[Bob's Birds]

Colin,
Nice rambling, you have started another very long thread that we will be talking about for a good long while.
So, put your keyboard away and drop over this afternoon and help Norm and I finish our Nuthatches. I will put on the coffee pot.

Bob