"Where there's a will, there's a way."
This comment, which may be seemingly simple to most, may have changed my life.
I imagine the man who delivered it had little idea of the impact it made on me. You see, I was just a kid growing up in a small (actually tiny) Ohio town. The youngest of five children, in a family of limited means, who'd lost our father young (I was ~ age 4 when he passed), . Don't get me wrong, it's not like we were poor, we certainly never went hungry. I guess the saying 'we had all we needed vs. what we wanted' would be quite appropriate here. Anyway,.. I guess this influenced me to become VERY resourceful.. and yes, often very,.. very frustrated. One day in particular I was working on my go-kart... something I'd cobbled together from mostly found parts, misc. bits I'd collected, generous advice of a few neighbors, and sheer determined spirit.
Anyways-- one day I was trying to fix or improve something on my go-kart which I clearly didn't have the proper tools or resources for. I was obviously frustrated,.. and I guess noticeably close losing my determined spirit, standing on the doorstep of defeat when George, (a family friend, who'd dropped by to visit with my mother-- probably to share some tomatoes or produce from his family's garden. {Score another +100 points for small town living}), took a break from his summertime conversation with my mother on the front porch (remember when folks used to visit that way?) smiled a wily grin, seemingly larger than his own head, paused-- and then quietly, calmly, and confidently commented in my direction-- "You'll get it. Where there's a will, there's a way."
I mean, he said it with so much certainty and clarity,.. like it was an absolute truth, zero doubt, nada, nuthin'. Perhaps I wasn't used to this kind of support, or maybe it was because it came from a man I'd quietly admired and respected since I was a pup?-- All I know is it touched me deeply and made a significant difference to me that day. Not only that day, but that statement has returned to re-inspire me again, and again, and again.. many, many times in my life since.
Although you've since moved on from this world, I'd like to say, "Thank you George." I still carry that message with me and most likely always will.
Oh-- and a funny side note. I stuck with it and eventually produced a contraption (aka 'go-kart') that was propelled by an 8.5hp chainsaw engine, (The engine was a surprise gift from George that came months after the above story/exchange-- apparently the chainsaw was the victim of a rasaclly tree that fell the wrong direction-- destroying the saw, but leaving the engine intact.) capable of a top speed of.... well, sheesh, this leads to another 'small town' story,...
One evening after school I was racing about on the 'fly-ash flats' up on the hill behind our little town when I saw the local cop car slowly rolling into my view and in my direction-- Dale (One of our TWO local cops and a man of a profound presence and few words {he always reminded me of Jackie Gleason, in a good sort of way}) was sitting in the drivers seat-- signaling me to come over. I honestly thought I was in BIG TROUBLE. As i nervously approached he simply said-- "Give it another go and we'll see what you got." then glanced toward the radar gun in his hand. After a few of my best 'fast-passes' he waved me close again, said nothing, then turned the radar gun around showing me the red LED display-- 49MPH!!! He then gave up the slightest grin, knowingly nodded, and said-- "Be careful... and whatever you do, don't tell your mother!" Then pulled the cruiser in drive and slowly rolled away.
Yet another wonderful advantage of growing up in a small town where everybody knew everybody (Dale the cop lived two houses away, the other cop 3 houses in the other direction). I never did manage to gets brakes on that darn go-kart though,.. it's a wonder I lived through that period of my life!
So-- I guess this is a long winded, circuitous, wandering, meandering way to say-- work with what you've got-- where there's a will, there's a way. The artist who carved these has undeniably created some incredible works of art-- with what looks to be very limited means
(consider his materials and notice the rusty xacto blade?).
Thanks for droppin' in-
dave
OK,.. Let me cut to the chase,.. I allowed my stride to be broken. in the last month (or so) I've;
- Shopped for and bought house (with my gal, risky business? Well, sure, but it felt right - so I went with it!)
- Moved twice (to transition her and I into the house)
- Did ALL that *new house stuff*
- Lost my job (nothing personal here,.. company 'tanked' and we're all out on the street)
- On top of that I got t-boned in my girlfriend's shiny NEW BMW :-(
(She was with me.. in short we were lucky to walk away from it and happy nobody was hurt,.. {the other driver was FULLY at fault}.
- And,.. I'm sure a whole lot more but I don't wanna bore you here/now.
Yes, much has happened and LOTS of change, which has delivered many hassles-- BUT, I'm a firm believer of the saying, "Change = Opportunity" ; )
Anyway, I'm up for taking my 'opportunity'! Now is the time to get back on my horse, get back into the saddle (aka - NEW studio / 'ManCave'), and GET BUSY!!!
Yes-- back into the paint and on top of sharing more thoughts, ideas, and demonstrations about getting in touch with your creative self and being innovative (what our world so DESPERATELY needs right now). Don't stress-- I've got waaaaaaaaaaay more ideas than time, so there's no shortage of new stuff. Amongst the multitude of ideas I'll be developing and bringing you;
- A book-- '101 Things I Learned About Creativity'
- A new 'IMPULSE' collection-- Art that's actually meant to be touched
{which is already somewhat controversial even thought I've yet to begin-- but I'll let you decide that for yourself)
- And, BIGGER ART!! (Re-using and recycling materials as the substrate/canvases).
So, (as my brother always sez)-- "There you have it".
Tomorrow I'll kick off with the cover and general idea/goal of the book.
Thanks for hangin' in there-- I figured just because I stumbled (maybe even fell?) doesn't mean I'll choose to stay down and be defeated.
More soon!
BIG LOVE,
dave
ps-
And-- just a refresher,.. My overall goal is, "To motivate and inspire myself as well as others"...Especially toward believing in themselves and their own creative abilities.
pss-
Oh yeah,.. I'll throw in a pic or three of the house - it's a FANTASTIC little bungalow!!!
