I don't hide it, I go back and adapt

 

Day 2 of my project for the courageous heart I am calling it. I don’t know yet if the name will stick or not. Today, I made a lot of progress on the project. I am estimated to be about 8 ish hours of carving time. Don’t ask me about the drawing time. Besides, why does time matter when you’re having fun creating and seeing your idea come to life. I found today that I would carve for a while and then have to take a break because my hands needed it. However, the break did not last long because I “wanted to keep going.” I was motivated and continued to stay focused. My brain works oddly at times. Guess I was missing a larger project; however, it’s coming alive faster than expected. I know some people might say I am a little fixated on my project “just to get it done.” However, that is not true because I am not shying away from the work. I am striving to have the idea and wood teach me. I want to see what story my idea and project have to tell. I want to see if my vision is even possible. I will be the first to admit that there are some steps that are “not my favorite.” However, I don’t stress that “I have to get it done.” I just find a manageable pace and keep working. My biggest struggle is the sanding and with how my current projects have been having more undercuts and overlaps. Sanding has just gotten harder. I don’t shy away from projects when they look or seem impossible. I slow down, process, find steps, and don’t pressure myself to “just get it finished.” Because I am not creating stuff “just because.” I am creating treasures that have character, charm, meaning, and a story. Will the story be obvious to everyone, absolutely not, and I don’t ever expect to know the story. I just know the first part of the story is “I have the pleasure of writing because creating my inspired ideas.”

            I left off yesterday; the next step being undercut the background edge to give a disconnect between the background and the design. However, it did not cut out the smoothest. I have way too many bumps and uneven on the bottom of the cuts. Some angles its not obvious but others its “very obvious.” Now the question is “how to fix it?” I could just say “don’t care.” I noticed earlier but didn’t realize how bad some stops were till I was in the sanding process. I have learned over the years, to make sure and look at my work from every different angle and in different light. I even, for one project, put it across my apartment to see if the math was right for my idea. I have done this several times for the same project. I did correct and attempted to correct spots that I saw. However, I guess I didn’t do it good enough. Which happens and sometimes you have to take a few steps backwards, to make your vision and the right vision is what comes to life.

            I was torn, seeing how the project was coming together. I wanted to add words to the project. In the drawing phase I was pondering possibilities but could never come up with the words. I did think about adding forever into the heart. As I looked at the project, words just didn’t fit. I was at a loss because I was in love with how it was coming to out. The work inspired me, because the heart is a symbol of love and there is a symbol for forever with the infinity symbol. I drew it out and I had reservation but knew I just found my answer. Because I was patient with the process and continued to listen and follow my heart.

            I am writing this blog to show the project progress but also to show that it’s ok to take a few steps back. It’s ok to realize that something needs to be done differently or requires “a little more focus and work.” It’s ok, to realize that when something wasn’t corrected to take the time to do it right. You might be tempted and “yes I have been,” to just “call it good.” However, that might not be the best idea. Because I have learned that if you continue to say “oops, ow well.” “You would be cutting yourself short of your true potential.” When you are ok with “taking short cuts,” to “just finish.” However, in the long run again “makes you miss out,” and be ok with “just that a finish,” but not the right finished look. It also doesn’t inspire or challenge you to expand your potential.

            I am a believe that when you’re creating and trying to make an idea come to life. You have to be adaptable in the moment. Because hiccups happen. Come tomorrow I have to take a few steps back to make sure things are done right, done better, to make sure the look is what the project wants. Making sure the look is treasured and cherished for the quality character and elegance. I don’t hide the oops. I show the reality that I realized something wasn’t looking right and I am determined to focus more and fix it. Because I value the treasured story the project has the potential to tell. I just must be willing to invest in my own potential.