Question for Susan Irish

Lindy · #1 02-25-2007, 07:42 PM

Hi Susan,

I've just purchased one of your books on pyrography, (Great Book of Woodburning). As you may or may not know I am now teaching pyrographyy for Lee Valley Tools here in Calgary and I would like to ask your permission to use some of your patterns for class projects. Please let me know if this is okay with you.

Thanks a bunch!
Lindy

Lindy · #2 02-26-2007, 05:49 PM

Uhm - Susan - I forgot to tell you how much I'm enjoying that book as well.

I've found a whole bunch of patterns in there for me to burn for Christmas presents and I really want to try that Gourd Banjo - it just looks like too much fun! So thanks for taking the time to put that book together.

Regards,
Lindy

Irish · #3 02-27-2007, 09:08 AM

Hi Lindy, Congrats on becoming a Lee Valley teacher!!! Mike and I have enjoyed and purchased from Lee Valley for eons.

Now as for using the patterns in teaching. Please, first read Fox Chapels copyright in the front of the book. You can use the patterns for personal use but not reproduce them for distribution. So what you will want to do is have Lee Valley purchase the books for resale to your students. Then each student, of course, has the right to copy the patterns for use in class.

By doing it this way, the Lee Valley store makes a little money, your students have a copy of the book and you can teach the class.

Susan

Pyrographer · #4 02-27-2007, 10:43 AM

Hi Lindy, as a teacher myself I learned that you really need to make your own patterns. I know there are instructors out there who use other people's patterns...even copying them from books and without permission but unless they get written permission from the person who made the pattern they are doing so illegally.

when I taught my first class I used some patterns from books and it was wrong but learned that if people are taking a class with me they are doing so for a few reasons. First, they have probably seen my work and like it and they want to learn to burn like I do. So, why would I want to use someone else's patterns to teach my students?

So, I realized that I needed to make my own patterns from my own burnings or drawings as quickly as possible and did so before I taught another class. My first patterns were not great but they served their purpose. I think that if we are trying to teach people how to burn like we do we should be using patterns based on our own burnings, not someone elses. It's sending the wrong messages to students....it's ok to copy other people's work, it's not necessary or important to be original and you're not confident enough as an instructor/artist in your own work to use your own patterns.

As an instructor you need to have the expertise in the projects you are using as class projects. It's hard to help people learn the technqiues needed for the projects when you haven't mastered them yourself. In other words you have to have burned those projects yourself in order to effectively teach people the skills needed to do them. So, it's always best to have patterns based on pieces you have personally done because you will have gained that expertise. As an example, if you have never done a portrait how can you teach someone else how to do one and if you haven't mastered the techniques needed to do a portrait how are you going to effectively teach the techniques?

Start out with a few patterns and expand as you have time. You don't need many patterns to get started and in fact some instructors use only one pattern in their classes because it's easier for them to teach. It's not exactly the best way to teach but it certainly makes things easier for the instructor. I have found that people like choices, they don't like being told that everyone is doing the same thing in class and I didn't either when I sat in on someone's class many years ago. But if you're in a time crunch for your first class start with just a few patterns made from your own burnings (not made from someone else's pattern).

It takes a lot of preparation to get ready to teach but once you have everything done it's set for all future classes. I now have bins filled with all my patterns for people to choose from when they take a class, plus I have all my other supplies all set to go. It took a while to get everything put together but once done the only thing I have to do is keep my bins of patterns and supplies filled before each class.

Keep in mind that once a pattern or piece of art is made by an artist it is protected under copyright laws and I don't know of many who would be willing to give those rights away to someone for distribution in their classes as projects.

Most important thing to remember is that as an instructor we are setting an example to students and I think it's important to set the right example.

Nedra

Lindy · #5 02-28-2007, 02:28 PM

Thank you Susan & Nedra for your comments and suggestions. I have been using designs that I have come up with for my students thus far, but I did ask because I really do like some of those patterns, which I of course want to do for myself and my collection. Usually my ideas come from photo's and other sources including Corel Draw because although I can paint, wood burn and carve, I can't draw.

Thanks again for your input and response.

Regards,
Lindy

Pyrographer · #6 02-28-2007, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lindy

Thank you Susan & Nedra for your comments and suggestions. I have been using designs that I have come up with for my students thus far, but I did ask because I really do like some of those patterns, which I of course want to do for myself and my collection. Usually my ideas come from photo's and other sources including Corel Draw because although I can paint, wood burn and carve, I can't draw.

I don't use patterns but I do have to admit that Susan has some outstanding patterns in the book.

Thanks again for your input and response.

Regards,
Lindy

Hi Lindy,

You can copy/scan your burnings and then trace them to create line drawings so you don't really need to be able to drawer. Same thing with photos so it shouldn't be too difficult to make line drawn patterns for class but it sure does help if you have burned them yourself before you teach it in class.

When I teach a class I give people a line drawn pattern to transfer to the wood and then a copy of the actual burning as a reference. I actually have a photo copy of it laminated so it doesn't get damaged and can be used over and over again. It helps them to visualize how it looks done, even if they can't do it as well as you they at least have an example of a finished piece as reference.

Nedra

Lindy · #7 02-28-2007, 11:09 PM

Hi Nedra,

Actually I never teach something I haven't burned myself and I have a sample of the work for display at Lee Valley. That way everyone has knows exactly what the project is. Up till now I have been scanning pictures and downloading free drawings that are copyright free so I don't infringe. That was the reason I asked Susan permission before using hers. I just found them so inspirational that I felt it would be great to do one and then teach it to the class, but I would never do that without permission.

Foretunately I used to be a graphic artist so I'm able to use clipart through Corel Draw and bring it to the size I'm looking for. The patterns I don't have permission to use for teaching I use to make gifts for family members and to improve my skills.

Again I really do appreciate the input and I have to admit I have become totally addicted to pyrography since I really started to play with the burner for more than texturing my carvings. Now it seems I carve so I can woodburn!

Pyrographer · #8 03-01-2007, 09:34 AM

It's funny, I started out chip carving and when I got introduced to woodburning my chip carving went out the window. I do it occasionally but I'm a die hard woodburner now.

Of course now that I'm retiring from my day job it will give me some free time (maybe) to experiment. I've been wanting to experiment more with gourds so perhaps I'll get some time to do that as well.

Nedra

Lindy · #9 03-01-2007, 11:46 AM

Oh yeah, I bought my razortip so I could get good fur detail in my carvings, then I saw a woodburning project that absolutely intrigued me. My first one I did is still with me and I do show it to my students to show how far they can come. Since then although I still do some carving I'm now experimenting with doing shallow relief carving so I can get additional dimension to my burnings as well as woodburning everything in sight. *LOL* Every time I look around I see another substrate I want to try burning on. I even bought some wood laminate like burl and stuff to see what that would look like. Now the challenge there is that it's so thin and I don't want to glue in place until after its burned - working on it - sheesh. Once I've actually successfully done one I'll post it. But yes, this is incredibly addicting!

Irish · #10 03-01-2007, 01:00 PM

Nedra has some great ideas for you as a first time pyro teacher! I might add one more here. Just as a habit when I start a new project, whether a burning or carving, I start scanning that project right way. When I take a break I throw the work on the scanner and catch a copy of it at 300 DPI 100% at whatever stage the work is currently at.

This way if it does come out well - well enough to teach or well enough to share as a tutorial - I already have images of the developement and different stages of the work.

Many never --- opps --- phone