Fishy busines 3D practice by a beginner (pics reloaded)

[wyrock]

Somehow I missed the finished pieces. Kurt you have done it again with over the top work and design. I do not know how you can say that I am a carver equal to you. You are way above and beyond. Thanks for sharing.
Jim

[Rockrangers]

Wow! never saw the dolphins until today.

[asianfire]

I do not know how you can say that I am a carver equal to you.

Jim you are too kind, but you know that the grass is always greener on the other side.  

That's the fantastic thing here at the forum:
While we got a few people doing the same thing really,
everyone manages to be still very different in their own way.
It looks like, everyone here has his/her own style and with that there is no real competition. I find that great. Without competing against each-other, there is only learning from each-other. It allows us to envy someones else's skill without hindering our own progress. Take the ten carvers here and give them the same task; I bet you that, where as in other similar places most people would copy each-other, here our lot comes up with at least 8 very different outcomes.

Nearly all of us are self-learned. We hold on to similar ideals, yet we are not bound to them and that makes all the above possible.

So yes, I think you are a better carver than me; and I hope and pray that that will never change!

[helens]

Oh a bit of competition makes everyone drive a bit harder to do a bit better... least that's how I see it:). I mean I would NOT be good at glass at all if I wasn't DRIVEN to get technically better faster to win some competitions (and get more materials). But I can see also that some people would not go for that too. I have a bad habit of spending more time thinking before doing, and sometimes competition propels me into doing... far faster than I would have otherwise with no direct motivation or inspiration.

The other thing that's wonderful about a competition, especially an honestly judged one by impartial 3rd parties is that you get a sense of customer trends. WHY does someone like that better? For some, people who never sell their art, their art need only appeal to themselves, who cares whether anyone thinks it's nice or not? For others, who sell their products, that market study is critical to their own success in the marketplace.

You will find that in any group, where there's no comparative judgement, the comments are often very related to personal like or dislike of a PERSON, not the art itself. Ie., I like so and so, so I'm going to say nice things to encourage them! I'd never buy that, but I want them to make them feel good for trying! And harming that person in the long run, because they may attempt to make it in a marketplace with a product that isn't yet ready for sale.

However, personal popularity is going to sell absolutely nothing on ebay (at least until you build up a following), where the only thing that is going to move sales is quality, price, and taste/trends. So while it's very helpful to a hobbyist to be surrounded with caring supportive people, it's a false reflection of the marketplace for a product and its related skillset. And for those in the market, or wishing to enter the competitive market, competition is very important in establishing a different type of confidence.... along the lines of 'can I give up my day job' because my art is good enough to get people to spend their money on it?

So I guess for hobbyists, competition may be a bad thing (except to determine where the actual 'professional' bar is set), but I think for current artists, it's a great gauge of where you are in the relative market.

AND, I'd say that every single carver here on the forum ARE good technically enough to sell commercially, so a contest would be not judging skill, but judging taste, and that's an interesting thing to see!!

I mean even the cab contest, how many entries are BAD? None. But 1 wins... not because the other entries were not good or unworthy, but because people had different tastes. Does anyone lose the Cab contest and actually feel that their cabbing ability was unappreciated?

That said, I LOVE the dophins:)!!!!

[bgast1]

Holy smokes Amanda, that is some fantastic bead work and a great carving also. 

[SilverStone Jewelry]

The design is in your head and heart. You go with what they are telling you.
I am loving this. I love seeing these pieces start to develop into some wonderful.

I agree, follow your heart and artistic eye.  Thanks for allowing us to peek in on you as you take this on.

[asianfire]

I agree, follow your heart and artistic eye.  Thanks for allowing us to peek in on you as you take this on.

Its always the fun part. Things might fall apart from time to time, but salvaging things and bringing any project to an end, is the best teacher than no money can buy. AND if you got fun with it along the way, even better!