[jillsy]

A Jack of All Trades, or Master?

All my life, I was a "Jack" and liked the variety (except for sewing - can't do a thing with a needle and thread except maybe sew on a button). Now I find being this way both distracting and frustrating. I'm still trying to get back into the carving groove, but other things have been grabbing my interest. This would be fine if it didn't take my focus off carving so much. Sometimes I wish I was really, really good at just one thing, as opposed to being average at lots of little things.

Anyone else ever feel this way or are you embracing the way you are?!

[Dan Wegiel]

I think that the more interests you have, the better off you are. To me, even though it would be nice to be great at one thing, it would get boring doing the same thing over and over. They don't say 'Variety is the spice of life' for no reason.

Dan

[bghebert]

You just wrote my life story.

[squbrigg]

Good topic for a long discussion, and you'll get a host of opinions.

I prefer becoming compitent at one thing at a time. But within that area, I like to practice as many skills as possible. For example, I consider myself an adequate carver and above average ship modeller, but a poor painter (as in bird painting). But, I can't play a guitar or horn nor sew worth crap! I enjoy photography but would love to be able to paint and draw better. I can burn (pyro) a decent sketch, but I can't for the life of me dance a step!

I concentrate on one thing, carving, and leave the rest to those who can. I have a great admiration for those who's skill in any craft, art or trade is obvious. You don't become good in any area by luck or "natural" ability , but practice, practice , practice. Some folks have some natural leanings towards some skills, but it is hard work that make an artist and artist!

Bob

[Thomp]

i am a tinkerer at heart,

if i can keep my hands busy im happy,
the shop looks like a magpie nest, from the collections of stuff im going to get too....
heyits all good stuff, just not in its presnt state,, maybe best discribed as materials.. or one mans junk...

whether its carpentry, metalwork welding carving or playing with skulpy..

always guess i wish i had the recourses of owning a junkyard so i could make big stuff knights and dragons out of car bumpers or sheet metal skins from car doors hood & trunks...

i dont like assembly lines type of production work, unless its making several end small tables or baskets for quick sale, then only i like to cut all materials and be ready for each step to flow as smoothly as possible or ill freak out fit!... if i run out of glue or brads...

carving really gives me a challenge to make all things wood, where it would be easier to cobble togather some scene support items from brass tin wire soldered up, but i force myself to use natural things where and if possible...

i love b&w photography and dark room work, but that all went digital... in my life at least..

i would love to be a better sketch artist, charcoal, watercolor, & oil paints have always intrigued me,
my efforts in watercolor looks like mud holes and Bob Ross scares me with his lessons and the price of it holds me back, one hobby at a time...kind of resources here...

i got a big panel knitting machine from my mothers estate i would love to know more about, i can make 3 foot wide panels of knitted yarn in no time, but cant figure out the sleeves.... or how to hook them up without making a lumpy mess...

i have 2 or 3 sewing machines i would love to get inspired to make some quilt tops with, but it all takes time and dedication

which id a rare commodity..

[whittling]

I can't think of nothing better than wood carving

[Scott Hagerty]

I'd like to be more than just adequate at something. I have a lot of interests that I'm adequate at and they satisfy me somewhat. Right now, I feel I'm approaching the point of being just more than adequate in my carving abilities but I can find areas that are dragging me down i.e. originality. It just gives me a longer road to travel to reach the destination I'm seeking.

I guess what I'm trying to say is when I'm gone I'd like someone to say "He was a great............." something. Maybe leave something of a legacy?

Scott

[torpidhummer]

I have been very fortunate in my lifespan,I enjoy my wife, kids and grand kids while enjoying my hobbies. I spent two years in a Naval Hospital and while recuperating from Korean War combat injureries. I was taught leather carving of which I still enjoy. Well since I have always hunted with longbows, I learned how to make them, my sons,daughters and several friends and I enjoyed hunted with the longbows I have made and still do. Well bowmaking led me into woodcarving as I wanted to carve eagles and other wild game my bow handles. I feel very fortunate in having survied a few life threatening situations and through the Grace of God,I learned to enjoy my life as if though it was the last day of my life. Thaught I would share a few tidbits of my life.
Oscar

[Tom H]

I like to think that I am at least adequate at many things. Some of the things that are career related, probably more than adequate. I have built furniture and made quilts that sell. I have tried to learn to play the Banjo and failed. I started out as a art major in college; until a prof told me that adequate artists starve. I stitched to industrial arts. Nearly everything that I've tried I have had some degree of success at, except playing the banjo. Wood whittling/carving being the latest thing to try. Its been almost three years now, and if I stick with it I may become adequate. It seems that there just isn't enough time to do everything that I would like to do. Certainly not enough time (for me at least) to master wood carving. I am happy, being able to do lots of stuff...

Tom H

[jillsy]

Reading what others have to say in areas of the heart always intrigues me. Thanks for your responses. What's also fascinating are not only your opinions, but reasons and stories behind them. (Scott wanting to leave a legacy, Oscar having served in Korea, Tom being told by a professor he was "adequate", etc.) Isn't it interesting what shapes us all?