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When I tell people that I build models as a hobby and refer to it as my craft, they look at me strangely. they wonder why I call it that. a craft can be anything that requires a person to envision something in their minds and translate it through their hands. a painter paints and a sculptor sculpts, and by the time they are done, they have created a masterpiece that will stand the tests of time. the degree in which their work is measured by is called craftsmanship. Modeling is much more to me. it is a combination of both of these arts, whether it be plastic or wood. it is sculpted and painted into the subject that is envisioned in the craftsman’s mind and conveyed to the viewer, who are the barometer as to it’s degree.
there are many craftsmen out there today, who can turn out museum quality pieces. they are called master craftsmen. at the basic level of the craft, there are those who just do the craft for fun. they are your juniors and novices. then higher up in degree are the intermediate and expert.
there may be other classifications in between that I am unaware of, these being the main classes. nestled in between each class, are the journeymen. these folks are striving to attain the next higher level of craftsmanship. they study their subjects and plans to see where improvements can be made to further enhance the appearance of their model. they ply their craft using the combined knowledge and techniques that they have picked up along the way. when the model is finished and the viewers have given their reviews, the craftsman will know at that moment, whether he has accomplished his goal. when asked where i lie in the classes, I favor myself to be a journeyman; I try to enhance and add functionality to my models. when asked what level of craftsmanship I am at, I cannot say for myself; that is for the viewers to decide.
So... what do you think? Please leave me a comment.
Craftmen and crafts in general has of late lost its prestige…It used to be that the maker of things was highly skilled and the higher his skill the higher his regard…. Now its all about quick and easy…
glad to know that there are still people out there who strive to improve there craft.
I have always regarded what I do….art. you get a better sense of it when you start hearing questions like "oh, you do that?" or "Gee, when do you find the time?" or the best one I’ve heard "I’d never have the patience for it." people today can’t seem to find it within themselves to use their minds to apply what they’re trying to say through their hands. I find that very sad….."old school" methods…{you couldn’t have said it better} are getting lost due to the "quick and easy". this is the main reason why the craft is losing it’s appeal. whenever a "beginner" asks me a question about the craft, I suggest that they talk to the "older folk of the craft", as a way to keep this basic knowledge alive. too bad that these methods couldn’t be put into a tutorial…..maybe more people would read and utilize them. I could go on and on about this. I am but a humble servant of the craft, it’s what I do. I am still waiting for my "masterpiece" to materialize.
totally get what you are saying. Have been living it for years :-)