Carving on the right side of the brain

[Colin-Partridge]

Hey gang it is me, I know I have been absent from the message board for a while with only occasionally answering the odd thread here and there. I am the same as everyone else I struggle at times with motivation. Having said that last week I took a trip with Bob Jenkins (Bobs Birds) we went down to visit a friend of mine who is primarily a chainsaw carver. We spent the whole day with him and this guy is so knowledgable about carving and art he is a fabulous artist. During our visit we discussed everything from techniques to motivation. Stepping outside of the box was a big area of discussion (we all know how I hate to step out of mine). I guess I am rambling on a bit let me get to what I wanted to share with you. We discussed a book called "Drawing from the right side of the brain" by Betty Edwards. A book that has been around for 20 years and she has now just published a new version. He advised me to get the book and read it. WOW this is a must read for everyone here on the message board. It would take me all day to post what I have read already but it really makes a lot of sence. What she illudes to is that the brain is divided into two brains. The left brain that is our logical side your verbal and rational brain, it thinks serially and reduces its thoughts to numbers, letters, and words. Your right brain (the side that gets very little use) is our non verbal and intuitive brain. It thinks in patterns and pictures composed of whole things, and does not comprehend reductions, either numbers letters or words. So what she gets you to do is use the right brain. How many of you say you cant draw? My friend tells me, "If you can draw it you can carve it". I garantee you that if you cant draw now that by the time you finish this book you will amaze yourself at what you can draw. Most people draw the way they did when they were children because the switching of the brains at about 10 or 11 years old. Because we dont need our right brain for survival so we cast it aside and use our rational left brain. I am only half way through the book and I find I cannot put it down. Although there are exercises she has you do all along so you will have to. I am now thinking if you can draw using your right brain then stop trying to rationalize everything (that is me) and let that manifest itself in wood and carving. So I am excited with this new found experience and knowledge that I want to share it, like everything else I do. So you are the burdened with this new found knowledge and my ramblings. I have also discovered "Two Dimentional Carving" but that is another subject that I will cover at a later date.
Sorry for the long message but you really should go to the libary and introduce yourself to this book. Well,well,well worth the read.Thumbs Up
Colin

[doris]

yes, i agree, and not forget to mke the exercises. you will be amazed how rapidly youmake progress in drawing. and that helps in carving too...

[artolver]

Way to go Colin! I tried to post a message briefly about the book here a few years ago. I was in my prime when the book came out. Doris, I got the most from the exercises. Drawing while looking at the object and not the sketch book ?........
I'm going to dust off the book right now. I hope the group gets going on this thread Colin. In the 80s lot of teachers did classes with the book.

art the barkguy

[Irishman]

Oh what a debate this thread could start especially if you talk about our educational system and the little value (and funds) the arts are given. I am a big promoter and enthusiast of arts and entertainment and it comes down to ensuring our youth have a balance of right and left brain thinking when they graduate.
Back to carving - well I must get a hold of this book. I've done some exercises in the past at workshops and such on the right and left brain theory, and it always amazes me how little of our brain we use.
Colin - now that your reading this book, we expect big thinks to come in the futureSmile I can't wait to see your next carving.
Patrick

[ElWoodTroll]

I retrieved this very book from my wife's library (required reading when she was studying to become a nurse) I am a slow reader and get side-tracked easily. Thanks for reminding me Collin. Also, I find it's safer to read and watch TV than to carve and watch TV

[falconer]

What a great book!! I read it more than a couple times and it has helped me more than I can say especially with drawing my patterns. Thinking in 3D!!

[TravisJHuval]

I agree, It is an excellent book. I was introduced to it by a friend soon after that I bought the kit. Read the new book watched the video. Started to do the exercises, even though I lacked the a comfortable chair and environment. Soon got frustrated. Never finished the exercises . Even so My ability to draw improved quite a lot. So all is not lost. except maybe the book , I lent it out almost 2 years ago haven't gotten it back yet. I'm sure it will be returned...

[squbrigg]

Good message Colin. "Drawing From The Right Side Of The Brain" was the first book I gave my daughter when she showed an interest in art. She (and I ) found it very helpful and workable.

Bob

[Callynne]

Thanks Colin, I've always loved drawing, now I have an excuse for why my math was horrible (still isn't that hot!) when I was younger. I'm right brained! That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!

I'm definitely going to order the book, not only may it help me develop that side of my brain more, it will be the perfect, in writing, excuse for all my other failings. Can't wait to show my Dad, I still remember vividly all those math homeworks he tried to help me with....and couldn't understand why I couldn't get! Yep, I'm right brained......hmmmm, that might not be the best word, sort of sounds like brain dead, doesn't it?! Might want to think on that a bit before I use it for my excuse! Sarcastic Deborah

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Nice post Colin. I've not read the book but agree with what's been said here. Being able to visualize something in your head and transfer it to a flat or 3d surface is the key to this craft. ALso, you have to be able to look beyond what you're doing at the moment to see what's coming farther down the line. A lot of carvers forget this important step and pay a price for it later on.