Sep 172014
 

It seems that summer flies by faster and faster every year. This summer was the fastest ever for me, talk about busy!
I feel very fortunate to be able to do what I do. Art is something that inspires and moves me, it pushes me to try new things and improve on what I am doing. I am practicing with bone and shell to infuse new techniques and materials into what I do. This summer I carved an alder rattle that had a cedar bent-wood box as the base. This rattle was unique in that I carved through the entire side and the inside of the rattle became visible. I also had some inscribed inlay. These are ideas I got from other artists, carvers and jewelers. I think it was Picasso who said that great artists steal ideas. I agree. The world is full of amazingly talented, thoughtful and creative people. Steal their ideas and make them your own! I should be clear here, when I say steal ideas, I don’t mean copy, that isn’t stealing and idea, that is simply stealing. What I mean is look at the work other people are doing, listen to their ideas, be inspired to create something new, something exciting, and something that moves you.