The Inspirational Phrases thread caused me to think of this. But one of the reasons I have such a deep desire to make beautiful furniture is immortality. I can’t write (obviously), nor paint, nor design great buildings. But I feel I have a talent for this woodworking stuff. Not like that of Green and Green or Krenov or any of the great masters but at least enough to impress my friends and family. And, hopefully mine and thier decendants down through the years.
And it is with this in mind that I go to the shop whenever I can to learn and build and learn some more.
This is the poster I have on the wall of my shop to inspire me:
Things men have made with wakened hands and put soft life into
Are awake through years with transferred touch
And go on glowing for long years.
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And for this reason some things are lovely,
Warm still with the life of forgotten men who made them.
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D. H. Lawrence
That’s immortality!
ChuckN and I have nothing of value to add to this discussion.
Replies
Very nice post.
Good sentiments.
Frosty
Chuck,
Like you I have an innate desire to make things of value, utility, beauty but also longevity. It is nice to think that the great grandchildren or other descendants of today's recipients of my efforts will still have and want the tables, chairs and cabinets I lovingly constructed.
However, I do not hold out much hope for my desire as the rate of change in this world is ever-accelerating. Tastes change and the new is now most appealing to the population at large, as they have been "educated" into believing new = good; old = bad: the price of modern capitalism and its need to constantly produce and sell stuff.
Even in olden days, one wonders how many beautiful pieces were consigned to oblivion because the owner had sucumbed to a new fad; and correspondingly come to feel embarrassed about owning an old thing. A sad, sad thought.
One little insurance I have is to make pieces in styles that seem to have stood the test of time. It is cowardice I know, but I am leery of designing my own designs as they will be strange and most likely emphemeral in any appeal they might have today (which appeal is not even guaranteed to occur at all).
Lataxe, who (like all things) must pass.
That's why Krenov's latest (last?) book was titled "With Wakened Hands." I like that quote as well...
Chuck,
And it is with this in mind that I go to the shop whenever I can to learn and build and learn some more.
Yes sir! Right there!
Regards,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
And a bronze plaque I once read:
"The difference between men and boy is the price of their toys"
Not as prophetic as your post but perhaps it covers the *second*
reason some of us get into woodworking as a hobby... :)
Andy
Therefore, when we build, let us think that we build for ever.
Let it not be for present delight, nor for present use alone; let it be for such work as our descendants will thank us for, and let us think, as we lay stone on stone, that a time will come when those stones will be held sacred because our hands have touched them, and that men may say as they look upon the labor and wrought substance of them, "See! this our fathers did for us."
John Ruskin
Now there's a mindfull of thought.
Great post!
Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
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