[Jewelry making - Article 00170] - Re: [Orchid] Self taught Vs Formal training

[Charles Friedman]

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    I thought I would not be draged into this thread, but the replies
    compel me to say something. 

    First: I am a dentist, both practicing and teaching. I make my
    living this way. It is important, no, critical for me to understand
    the old ways and to evaluate the new ones and implement them. I learn
    in different ways: reading, watching, doing, evaluating, and
    teaching. Sometimes a synthesis occurs in my dreams. Since I do this
    for a living and it is a passion, I needed to have a solid
    foundation: formal training. 

    In one of my other lives I am more concerned with the journey, not
    the destination: I have learned a lot about metal work from casting
    to CNC. A little knowledge is dangerous. I have chosen to surround
    myself with resource people who can guide me and fill me in on the
    gaps in my knowledge. I find these people at the local community
    college, woodturners meetings, my wife's artistic friends, and my
    wife. I usually do not wish to reinvent the wheel, unless there is a
    special twist to it. 

    Daniel Spirer seems to think that there is a big difference between
    gem knowledge and metal/design knowledge. I disagree. In both areas
    you can learn a lot from those who have gone before you and you can
    distinguish yourself with your creativity. Creativity executed badly
    leaves a bad impression on the customer. I do not know many people
    who would be thrilled to have their precious piece destroyed by
    someone doing a proceedure for the first time. If you have learned
    the basics and the first time is merely and extension of your
    personal learning in a new direction, then you have had formal
    training. If you cannot do the basics, I do not want you working on
    my piece. 

    Sometimes creativity outshines technique and the result is stunning
    and we forgive the actual construction faults. Sometimes you just hit
    the market at the right time (I have never understood large painting
    of soup cans, and I have heard people say that there has been nothing
    new in art since them: overheard at the opening of the Painting with
    Fire Exhibit of Enamel work in Long Beach last month)! 

    Having fun to me means that your can push the boundries. Wisdom is
    using the experience of others and giving credit where it is due.

Charles Friedman DDS
Ventura, CA
Whose wife Jennifer won 6th prize at the Orchid Dinner!
Thanks for donating the piece Cindy

 
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