Response to Lynn's ethics thread

[gouge]

I wrote this response in Lynns original thread, but it was on page 12. I didnt think anyone would read it because it was so far back, so I started a new thread to explain my feelings. Please read below.

I sure do hope Lynn reads this response because I think it may help try to explain what he has been trying to get across to everyone. I agree whole heartedly with his thread. I watch his videos so much I pretty much have them memorized. BUT it is to learn HOW to do a certain technique. Before his videos I could not at all carve an ear, nose, etc. So I watched them to learn HOW to carve these features. I then tried a cowboy and completely ruined it. I did not let that stop me. So I practiced and then used a photograph of my best friend who lives in Oklahoma (my wife shot the photo) and used the TECHNIQUES that Lynn offered in his videos, to carve my best friend's caricature by looking at his photo. It was a photo that my wife and I had. That is the key here. I used the techniques that Lynn gave, BUT put my own idea into the wood. I have a thread with a photo of it if anyone would like to see it. I did learn the techniques from the videos, but it is from OUR photo and it is a one of a kind. We can use the techniques that he demonstrates, BUT let us all use the creative mind that the Good Lord gave us to create our own works. If we think about it we will see that if we use our creativity, they will be as special to us as Lynn's creations are to him.
Think about a wood lathe. Where are the LIMITS of a wood lathe? The limits of a wood lathe are in our MIND. The CREATIVITY is endless !!! The same with music. painting, etc. It is in our mind and the Lord wants us to release that creativity.
I have a bucket full of ruined pieces in my home, but so what? I learned from everyone of them. I do not have a good artistic ability, but I am trying to create my own style.
If Lynn would not have posted his tutorials, I would not have ever done the caricature of Puncher, my best friend. It IS my own work, but Lynn showed me how to do certain techniques. I mailed it to Tom, my friend, and he was on the phone with me when he opened it....He said it looks just like me!!! Do yall know what that meant to me to hear him say that !!!!!!
EVERYONE on this forum and in the world has CREATIVITY. No one can tell me any different. We just have to give ourselves permission to release it. You can do it. We just need to try. And if we fail, do it again. Martial artists teach... If you get knocked down 7 times. get up 8. DONT QUIT!!!
If we use the BASIC techniques (how to carve an eye, etc.) and create our own figures, etc. then we will develop our own style. I look at Lynn's site EVERYDAY, and I look at his new and old pieces, and I admire them. And what I see in each piece is Lynn, getting an idea, thinking about it and finally making a beautiful piece from his IDEA. WE ALL CAN DO THE SAME. Will the pieces be as good as Lynns, who knows... But it will be ours, and the best that we can do. That is why we should carve, to have fun, relax and enjoy our creations.
If we build confidence in ourselves, then we will be leaders and not followers. I think Lynn is giving us the basics (out of his own graciousness and generosity), BUT he wants us to take our own avenues and create what we want to create within our own minds. He gives us the LETTERS, now let us ALL go and make the SENTENCES!!! Remember the wood lathe, the ears, the eyes. The types of ears, eyes, noses, expressions are ENDLESS, because they are in our minds. All we have to do if find them and release them for others to enjoy. I sure hope this did not offend anyone and I certainly hope it helps.
raby

[SlowMover]

I agree with the folks who advocate originality. I too watch Lynn's excellent videos and have learned a lot of technique from them. I use the knowledge to improve my carvings, and use my imagination to manipulate the patterns and poses into something my own. I have used Lynn's basic body patterns to carve chefs, gardeners, and generic guys doing everyday actions. I have taken the patterns and "plumped" them up to make fat or porky bodies, and have re scaled them to various sizes. There are so many different aspects of life, that it is easy to carve something that is different from the last carving you have seen...so why not change some things around and carve your own ideas. Sure, there are only so many ways you can pose a horse, so I doubt that anyone will get upset if your horse is standing there like all the others, but what you can do is change the scenery around the horse to make it just a tad different. Cowboys all have some similarities, but they can be doing a whole bunch of different things. The box is big enough that we can all find something we like, but yet still small enough that it isn't difficult to think a little outside it. When first learning, your work will closely resemble that of your teacher..later on, if it still looks like the teachers, you haven't learned much. Happy carving to all, and let the imagination run wild.

[cut up]

I agree, too! I've watched Lynn's videos and found them very enlightening about techniques, but I haven't had the opportunity to try any of them. I'm still working on last Christmas. LOL! At least it's the last one.
Anyway, I don't plan to copy any of Lynn's figures, except maybe his horse and maniken, because I have a few ideas that I want to try. They all stem from candid family pictures, you know, the ones people want to delete from their digital cameras. LOL!
I did ask permission to use someone else's picture, but got no response, so that's a no go for me. I'll do something different, no problem.
Michael

[Magicman]

If Lynn said it I believe it, I have not heard him say anything that was'nt pretty much spot on.
Larry

[Alfwok]

You are basically copying his original thread and trying to pull posts from that thread to this one. I believe he copyrighted that discussion so what your doing is wrong...moderators should delete this... sarcasm.

[Robson Valley]

Different people express themselves in different ways. Maybe it has to be said many times by many people for the basic message to sink in.
You can't copyright an idea. So to purport the copyright of thoughts in any previous thread is pretty slim. Moot.
I have said it before and I'll say it one more time = copying teaches process. Do it.
Humbling, huh?

Where does it say that you can't innovate and start your own style? I have studied Pacific Northwest Native Art style carvings for many years. In fact, the regional differences are outstanding, once you know what to look for. Some of my reasons are private. Otherwise, I need to know what NOT to do. With every sense of cultural deference and respect, I can, but I will NOT copy what they do. I have my own eyes, beaks, feathers and bodies that you will never, ever see in Native art.
As a note added in proof, the Kwakwaka'wakw/Kwakiutl know that I do as I speak. The truth is the easiest thing to do. Quite interesting results.