No big deal

...

Maybe this is my residual exhaustion speaking, but I'm convinced that nobody will have anything positive to say about the sculpture I carved over the weekend.

Why is it that I only ever hear any feedback on my work when people aren't happy? My studio regularly creates magic, and nobody seems to notice.

Bleh.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Lisa, I'm afraid that this is true in every occupation. When we do an outstanding job day after day, no one comments. (But we hope that they notice the results of our efforts). But have one bad day, and - look out! Everyone's an expert.
Marissa Dupont said…
I know how you feel. But know yourself that you did an amazing job! I don't know how you managed to carve something that gorgeous out of what is probably one of the crappiest materials EVER! It is AMAZING!!! :) If anyone says anything mean, hand them a piece of foam and tell them to carve a happy face. They'll understand in about two seconds that what you've done is phenomenal. :)
Anonymous said…
Sounds like you need a good night's sleep! Your letterboxing friends know what an outstanding artist you are, as do your compatriots at work. After all, you were tasked with creating that magnificent sculpture because you can! You did it. It is beautiful. No comments from your workmates is truly a compliment: They know you did the usual amazing job.
Grumpy Grinch
Anonymous said…
Lisa,

I think you did an outstanding job, it captures the turn of the century vienese style.
Gina said…
You are absolutely correct in one part of your estimation: Lisa Regularly Creates Magic!

Human beings are silly little creatures; they regularly take for granted the beauty and miracles that surround them everyday. You know this already as one who constantly notices the beauty in the natural world that so many drive right past on their way to whatever silly important thing is occupying their overwrought brains. That's THEIR issue - and frankly, they're missing out. Hang around with those who not only NOTICE, but also APPRECIATE your talent and dedication and KNOW what a HUGE job you've accomplished in a teeny amount of time. We're here!

And can I just say - Holy Crap!!! STYROFOAM???? THE WORST material EVER?!?!?! You never cease to amaze me, woman. (Are you still all static-y?)

G
Anonymous said…
Yup. I hate those days. It's not just that I broke something at work, I didn't break ENOUGH of them, or into enough dangerously sharp peices!

We got into bed this morning at 7 am. At 10 am I got a panicky phone call from our rural mail delivery lady- our neighbors alpacas had escaped and were all over the road. So with blearly eyes we jumped in the car, drove to the end of our block (blocks in the country are pretty big) and saw what needed to be done. Gary and I got to wrestle the errant alpacas into the pasture and did all this by 12 noon.

We also did not find any dead ones by the side of the road, thankfully, or sick from gorging on the surrounding soybean fields.

Then we had breakfast.

Gary did pretty good for a guy who grew up in Brooklyn. I will now add "alpaca herder" to his resume!

Annalisa
Syndee said…
To look at the finished sculpture and then back at the work to get there is astounding! How do you know what materials to use? I know you started with styrofoam, but how did you know the clay would stick--or did you use some sort of magic glue. As one who is not well versed in what media works well together, I am in awe of your work. Thanks for sharing it.
knitica said…
Man, I've often felt that way too. It's like if you do a really good job making something, there's no evidence that it was made. It just looks like it sprung into existence fully formed. I figure I've done really well if someone asks, "Where did you buy that?" Of course I don't know where you would buy a bah relief greek guy.
zorlack said…
I'm about to start an art-deco project... and having seen your herald I'm thinking seriously about doing a giant pink-foam Atlas holding up a 'W'....

We'll see if I can come up with anything close to what you've got here... Unfortunately you've set the bar rather high. :p
Lisa said…
Yeah, I love the idea that people are incredulous that we actually make the things we make. Do you think you by this stuff at Target?
Gothknits said…
*smack*

You'd do the same to me if I had said the same...just remember that.
Unknown said…
Lisa, I know exactly what you mean. I am doing translations - and as you say: the only time you hear from your customer is when he or she THINKS he/she has a reason to complain! People who complain about something they do not understand usually have deficiencies they want to hide.
Keep on going! Look at how many people love your projects! You are truly an artist.
Laura
Anonymous said…
Hey, I think your sculpture is incredible. Wait, you used styrofoam? Damn. Even more amazing.

My workplace is rather short of compliments as well, to the point where it can be downright depressing. Without my specific job, my workplace pretty much couldn't exist. But we're never the ones who get any credit or kudos. Why do I stay? Hehe, well, other than it paying pretty well, I also love what I do at the end of the day, and am proud of what I can produce, even if there's no spoken notice of the product.

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