Motivation and learning

         I showed my family my first project when it was roughly carved. My family was impressed. My loveable mother turned into Segal’s from finding Nemo and stated “mine, mine.” Her next line was “you’re going to redecorate my entire house.” My answer was not exactly, and you must be patient. I had to tell her “You have to share and can’t claim everything.” My family loves to have fun. I also found my families jokes as fun motivation. The current joke in my family is when something creative needs to be made or a solution needs to be developed. The answer is “just tell kami she will figure it out,” or “just give kami time she will come up with something.”  

            I would get asked “who is this project for?” My normal answer is “I don’t know.” Project inspiration comes in many ways. I either come up with a random idea, or I have a person in mind and then the project comes. With each project they sometimes tell me who needs them. At first my family was confused about what I meant. I concluded that I want people to cherish and love my work. I also want to be able to give something they probably never be able to have. It helped me create the name of “one priceless treasure.”  Where I will only create one of the items ever. I will take elements of projects but will never create the same thing. Knowing there is only one made, makes it memorable and treasured forever hopefully.

            My first idea was to create wall clocks. A dear friend and mentor of mine was leaving for an LDS service mission with her husband. I designed a clock with maple leaves and the words “family matters.” Looking back on the design, the font I chose after being carved is a little hard to read, and size was not correctly proportional to clock. The background was more centered on the project. I know that I’m my worst critic. However, these elements can be used to make future projects better. I learned from the second project, removing the entire background to the same level takes a lot of work and time. On the clock project for my friend, I chose to only remove background material directly around the design. It was a lot easier. I love seeing how it will give a different look to the project as well. I completed the sanding, and I was off to the finish. I took the easy way and invaded my dad’s stain stock, more for convenience. Staining has many variables including the type of wood. I also learned that even with the same type of wood you can get completely different finish. My first project I stained way to dark. Second one I used a lighter stain, which did come out better however not the best. The cool factor I learned is the stain didn’t get everywhere, the raw wood helped bring out details. My family matters project I did a lighter stain, unfortunately the color wasn’t the most even. Even with clear coating a project, it takes steps to make a difference. I didn’t know it requires multiple coats, especially if you use aerosol kind. With multiple coats it also gives more protection. It would have possibly helped to read the instructions.

            When I texted people the pictures of what I created the response I got was “wait, did you make that.” I loved giving the clock away to my friend, she was at a loss for words when I gave it to her. Even now with every project I’ve given away, most of the people are at a loss for words, which intern turn into priceless moments I will cherish. My projects have a strange way to be given to the person when they unexpectedly need it.

            My close friends and family came to understand why I kept saying “the project will tell you.” My mom asked about a couple projects that I made, and I shocked her with the response of “the project will tell you.” Despite being skeptical she took the assignment. After she gave the project to the people she was inspired to give. Her answer was “I get it now.” A while later she was at a craft fair and at one of the booths she was looking at the artist’s work. The work was good, but nothing was clearly speaking to her in the way of “I need to take it home.” The artist said something like “if it’s not speaking to you, then you shouldn’t buy it.” When my mom told me I got a laugh in aw that there was something to my thinking.

            For my creative process I found that I need variety and a challenge. How to expand my abilities and create more. The light bulb came on and picture frames started. Keeping in line with the memorable, purposeful, and have a function to not waste space. The purposeful function part has adapted over time.