Vision versus Technique

"Josh Welton" (watchtheprettylight) 08/08/2013 at 12:34 • Filed to: welding, philosophy, brown dog welding, hot rod art, car art

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I love talking welding. Process, technique, philosophy. At car shows, work, online....whatever the case, I dig it. I like soaking up the knowledge I can from those with more experience, and I really enjoy sharing my skills and experience with anyone who asks.

But ask me a question about art, or how I made a certain piece, or if I could show you how to put a certain sculpture together; you'll probably get a blank stare or an unanswered email.

It's not something I've always been conscious of. But the more I've been confronted with the two different inquiries, whether it's talking to a school class or another would-be artist inquiring about my methods, it kinda struck me; want me to show you how I'd attack that aluminum corner joint? No problem. Want me to show you how to put a little dog together? Not gonna happen.

I guess the honest answer is because from where I started to where I am to where I'm going, the art has all been in my head. It's personal. It's my creativity, my "solution to the problem," my vision. There may be " !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! " but I put my own twist on things. It's not a matter of being selfish, but if you're gonna CREATE you need to put YOUR spin on it. Your work will evolve when you put the energy into it. It won't evolve by copying mine or anybody else's.

I think that's it. Where as fusing a joint is a matter of skill and technique, and perhaps some creativity at some point, the sculptures are a matter of creativity first...with skill and technique putting on the finishing touches. I believe the imagination has to be personal to be legitimate.

pdthedeuce > Josh Welton 08/08/2013 at 12:40

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well said.

desertdog5051 > Josh Welton 08/08/2013 at 13:01

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Nice post. Love the motorcycle.

Brian Tschiegg > Josh Welton 08/08/2013 at 13:12

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I really love your articles, man. Keep 'em coming!

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > Josh Welton 08/08/2013 at 15:03

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Loving the green piece shirt. And I agree with that philosophy too. Though my latest has been people looking at my project and asking why I'm overbuilding it so much. Because I can and I hate doing shit twice because it was half-assed the first time.