As soon as I was welcomed into the workshop I was given tasks to do, to both test my own proficiency and give me an idea of the differences between the focussed lettering work and my own experience. Immediately I was enjoying myself. Being able to focus entirely on making a letter breathe, give it a life and potency all of its own, was something entirely enthralling. Fighting the stone in order to work something fine and delicate within an unyielding and rebellious surface, and leaving within the letter an even pattern of crisp, clear tooling, even within the finest lines.
All of these things are but a small portion of the pleasures of lettercutting, and the more mason-like work of cutting out the shapes of the headstones is yet another world of enjoyment. Although my current skills are still quite fresh, I already have some ideas for the kind of monuments I want to create in the future. When I began learning the craft I had to do things according to the proscribed method, as everyone does and indeed -must- if they are to get anywhere. But gradually one begins to adapt these things, and so adapt ones own body and working methods to the material. In this way perhaps the stone wins the battle. But I digress. As time goes by, I find myself liberated by this work. One is forced to consider oneself in relation to the work, and gradually you begin to impose your own will on the world around you, as you do with your stone. You start building yourself up, as you build monuments.
Still getting the hang of writing a blog, and I've a tendency towards over-voluminious writing. Will sort it out eventually.
S
2 comments:
What stone are you working on? The lettering looks lovely and crisp!
That one's a bit of York stone I believe, lovely tight sandstone that lends itself to lettering very well. And thank you! I apologise for the slow reply, I've been having terrible trouble getting this site to accept images and respond to comments, seems like others are having problems too.
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