Seeing what is not yet there.

I believe each of us has unique abilities. Everyone is different. I remember back when I was in grade eight (42 years ago) I sat beside a brilliant teenager in Physics class. He was a gifted classical pianist who practiced for hours each day. One day as we were waiting for the teacher, my friend was sitting at the bench and with his eyes closed he was ‘playing the piano’ on the table. He was into it, bobbing his head in time with his hand movements like professional musicians do when they play classical music. I watched in awe as he silently played. When he was finished he opened his eyes and was surprised to see me watching him. I smiled as he explained he could clearly hear the music. He was practicing.

I couldn't hear the music he was playing, but I believed. I also believe I posses a similar gift. I can see things that are not yet there. As I sit down at my desk to design something, I can clearly see the thing I want to create - even though the paper is yet blank. As I draw, sculpt, weld, build or paint I can clearly visualize the end result long before it is done. The hard part is to realize that vision.

Ten years ago when we were looking for funding for a large themed project of our own I asked our banker to meet me at the project site. We went for a walk and as we toured the property I described the project in detail. I pointed out the sloping ground, the walkways, landscaping, features, even the sound of waterfalls and themed music. I could smell the flowers which had yet to be planted. None of it was yet there. At the end of the tour the banker promised me the money we needed - because my vision was so very clear. A few months later at the grand opening of the project our banker asked me to once more give him the tour, and he asked me to describe it like I had many months previous. We walked through the project and I gave him a detailed description once more. As we finished our journey he turned to me with a smile and told me "This time I could see it just as clearly as you!"

-grampa dan

More progress

In less than two weeks we will host the tenth Sign Magic Workshop here in our studio/shop. As usual we have guests coming from near and far. This time we have guests from Wisconsin, New Hampshire, New jersey, Colorado, Minnesota, Hawaii, Ontario, and British Columbia. The group is pretty excited as are we. Preparations are well underway.

As is the tradition we are creating name plaques for each guest. They serve as teaching aides and also make great souvenirs to take home. Each name plate is custom made of course, and each one is different too. It’s a chance for us to brush up on our skills before teaching and also a chance to learn a little more as we push the envelope. If possible I like to personalize the plaques with the little I know about our guests. Some I know quite well, others I have not yet met, so it is a challenge. In the next days leading up to the workshop I’ll post some pictures to show how we are progressing. It’s going to be fun.

-grampa dan

WORKSHOP COMING FAST

name plaques

In less than two weeks we will host the tenth Sign Magic Workshop here in our studio/shop. As usual we have guests coming from near and far. This time we have folks from Wisconsin, Hew Hampshire, New Jersey, Colorado, Minnesota, Hawaii, Ontario, and British Columbia.From what I hear the group is pretty excited as are we. Preparations are well underway.

As is the tradition we are creating name plaques for each guest. They serve as teaching aides and also make great souvenirs to take home. Each name plate is custom made of course, and each one is different too. It’s a chance for us to brush up on our skills before teaching and also a chance to learn a little more as we push the envelope. If possible I like to personalize the plaques with the little I know about our guests. Some I know quite well, others I have not yet met, so it is a challenge. In the next days leading up to the workshop I’ll post some pictures to show how we are progressing. It’s going to be fun.

-grampa dan