My nervous bravery

    I was in a gap between projects and looking for inspiration. Inspiration to challenge and improve my skills and abilities. My inspiration triggered a brave choice to try a failed project again. I have had many projects that I stopped working on, for many reasons. The biggest reason for stopping is “I wasn’t liking how the project was turning out.” Which unfortunately caused many questions to be asked and my motivation to dwindle. All however was not lost. There was a lot of unspoken learning and unrealized skill development because “I tried.” One thing I never considered was to retry a project which most people have classified as a failure. Especially if they are fearful of “failing again.”

    With brainstorming and continuing to look for inspiration, I saw my first attempt of the Salt Lake temple. I saw it but at first wasn’t sure. I continued to look for ideas. However, the Salt Lake temple idea continued to come back. Which prompted the foundation question of “can I” and “how would I.” I then started creating the plan to see if it’s possible. Something I didn’t do with my first attempt. Through other projects I learned that it’s important to be patient with design. With each project I have learned to make sure the big questions are answered. Especially having a general vision for “the final project look.”  This is big when you are designing the art piece. I realized that with my first project, my skills were unknowingly lacking. Because I had the project sized wrong, wrong reference photo, no consideration for general perspective, no plan for the final look. I don’t regret trying. However, I learned that when striving for something I need to stay patient and work up to harder ideas. I know now, it’s more important to slowly challenge myself. It’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon.  

  For me I want to use these roadblocks to learn from and become better. Project size is important to make the project readable. With size you have to consider different proportions in relation to another object. Especially when you have multiple different points in the picture. Correct size helps with the perspective you’re wanting to bring. My first attempt I chose a photo that had way too many details and was at the wrong angle. The photo itself was fine, but after I drew it onto the wood, it became unreadable.  As I look back was considerably difficult to show the perspective, dimensions, and depth. This correlates in relation to photo details and the question of “how much detail to add.” For me I was very intimidated considering the Salt Lake Temple has historical architecture and details that were done by hand with handmade hand tools.

            Attempting it again I simplified the picture. One staple is the front entrance. It’s a popular place where people love to take photos. After finding the right reference photo I needed to size the project. Correct size for foundation depth to show the overall look and structure. Size helps the project be readable, especially when the enhancement details are used. With showing the layers of the windows and how they set in, and steeple relations. 

            Now the plan for the final look. I realized for my first attempt is I carved around the entire photo and “it looked like it was floating.” Which is not a bad look. However, it was the wrong look for this project. Especially considering I’m still learning how to create the look like you’re walking up to the building.

    I found the best look would be a faded look. I carved the background but that left the bottom. So, as I carved the temple it would fade into the border. I then wanted to elevate the carving and was able to add a picture frame. So, it gave the look you were apart of the building.

    I found the picture, sized it, and added the picture frame. I had it drawn onto the wood. Thankfully it was later at night so I couldn’t start carving, I had to wait till the next day. I remember laying on the couch and “just staring at the wood.” For my more complicated projects this has become an essential step of the plan. Why, because I calculate in my brain the best starting point and develop a plan to create what I’m envisioning for the final project.

            Well, it’s the next day and I was ready to start. I sat down and then had to take a deep breath. Because the first cut is always the hardest. With every project setting the final background depth is where to start. It was slow going but I got the background carved. Few mistakes happened from “bit slip” which caused the bit to go to deep. Wood pieces on a steeple point broke off. At this point with the mistakes and I am still feeling intimidated I continued to press on. I have learned to trust the process and continue to try. Also, my brain has a strange way to try and talk me out of it. My heart pressed on and told my brain to “have fun solving the problem.” Plus, take each part one step at a time.

            From the steeples and have dimensional they are. I was very nervous and would carve a little and then position it to look at the entire piece. I continued this process with each part. It started to come around and I started to see the potential and a successful finish. I worked through the project including figuring out how to fix the mistakes. A few pieces needed to be glued back on. I also had a hole in the background to fill. The glued pieces came out good, filling the whole was ok, more practice for a better outcome. I got to the point to start sanding the border, it looked a little dull. I couldn’t keep it factory border. I used the sanding drums and put a random texture. I loved what it added, especially the elegance to enhance the temple as the focal point. 

    I started this project in January of 2024, and took the project to my parents to show everyone when it was finished. For simplicity and not having a plan for some project I tend to leave them with my parents. My mom likes to display some of them till they find their home, and I also am forgetful sometimes to grab the project before I leave. It was happily displayed on her piano. Everyone who saw the temple carving said, “pictures don’t do it justice.” It wasn’t till the end of the year when its forever home was found. My loveable aunt and uncle were at the house visiting. They were looking around and enjoying my work. I just happened to be in town as well. They saw the temple and loved how it came out and the details included. As soon as I heard how they were talking about the project and their appreciation. I immediately knew in my heart they needed it. However, my darn brain had more control over my voice, and didn’t tell them to take it home. My heart nagged at me for I don’t know how long, because it needed to be given to them. Thankfully, not long after I was talking with my mom on the phone, and my aunt and uncle were back visiting. I was on speaker and got my uncle’s attention. I asked if the temple was still on the piano, which it was. I said they needed to take it home. My uncle is just like his sister who’s my mother, there both “hard to make speechless.” There was a moment of silence, a valuable moment I will remember forever. My aunt sent me a picture of what picture she chose to put in the frame. It reassured my brain what my heart already knew. My heart made the right choice of convincing me to try again. Being able to create a priceless valuable treasure, which will last a lifetime.