Is true in art, is true in music, is true in woodworking.
Everyone starts out following a recipe, working from plans, playing from the score. Over time if you are geared toward greatness you throw out the recipe, burn the plans, play from the heart. You learn to add your own touch, you make the music your own, you grow, and you stand out from the crowd.
Authenticity is worthy of study, well to practice, good to know, but being chained to authenticity holds you back. Making the same thing in the same way over and over takes nothing more than a robot. No thinking required. Respect the old ways, respect the material, respect those craftsmen who came before you, and as they did you should add to the story, build on the history, move up to the next level.
I’m not saying I’m there yet, but that is my goal. To progress while acknowledging and respecting the collective skill set of all woodworkers up to this point is a worthy effort.
Everyone starts out following a recipe, working from plans, playing from the score. Over time if you are geared toward greatness you throw out the recipe, burn the plans, play from the heart. You learn to add your own touch, you make the music your own, you grow, and you stand out from the crowd.
Authenticity is worthy of study, well to practice, good to know, but being chained to authenticity holds you back. Making the same thing in the same way over and over takes nothing more than a robot. No thinking required. Respect the old ways, respect the material, respect those craftsmen who came before you, and as they did you should add to the story, build on the history, move up to the next level.
I’m not saying I’m there yet, but that is my goal. To progress while acknowledging and respecting the collective skill set of all woodworkers up to this point is a worthy effort.