I was so disappointed to get the message from our editor that it was time to write another president’s letter. On the one hand I had yet another reason to put off my tax return. But my disappointment came from the realization that yet two more months had passed without my chisel or grinder touching much stone. I was still excited about a very recent break-through I had with a basalt piece that had stalled for the last year. But I had thought I could have turned the break-through into a finished piece by now. Instead it languishes in my studio, still covered with chalk marks and stone dust. It’s not that I have not spent time in my studio, I have just been distracted by the “craft” part of sculpture.
Suz Gentiluomo first highlighted the craft part of art to me several years ago. I was in the midst of a home remodel and was complaining about not getting much sculpting time. Suz laughed heartily and said “Ken, sculptors are ALWAYS remodeling something, whether it is their house, their studio, or their equipment.” Sculptors are such a combination of conceptual and craft that it is easy to visualize and then undertake many projects, the more at the same time, the better.
I recently learned to weld so that I could make some needed custom brackets and equipment mounts, all in the name of better space utilization and new tool possibilities. Of course I will have hundreds of hours into this project by the time I am done, all to save a few minutes and a few square feet here and there. But I love it. The process, the journey, is one of the best parts of sculpting. If I am temporarily distracted from my basalt but still get to wallow in creativity, I am as happy as a pig in stone dust.
On matters of organization business, please read the notice of a vote to change the bylaws regarding our annual membership meeting date. It is now in February, and we believe it should be held at Camp Brotherhood in July. We have placed the notice directly below, so that we can get members’ feedback at the Camp Brotherhood membership meeting. After feedback, the board will vote on the issue at the following Board of Directors meeting.
Regarding the previously discussed fiscal year change, we have decided not to change our fiscal year to July through June. We do believe it is in our best interest to change the dues period, but we do not believe we need to change the fiscal year in order to change when dues apply.
Carve well, have fun, and wear a good respirator,
