Going to Build

Creativity in woodworking food and life

We are all creative.

Its one of the traits that elevates us above other species. A beaver builds structurally sound dams because that ability is hard-wired into its brain. No beaver will ever shatter the dam-building community by devising a new, innovative method of construction. The same holds true for the spider that spins beautiful geometric webs, yet cannot deviate from the design plan that she has been working with throughout eons of evolution. Each of these creatures create, but they are not creative.

As you know, I love to cook, and I think I understand why: its not so different from woodworking. Each require a simple understanding of the basics, but from there, its all about creativity. No two dishes will taste alike, and no two woodworking projects will look alike. We challenge ourselves by combining an infinite number of ingredients and techniques to to produce a finished product that we have envisioned. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesnt. But we gain knowledge and experience from our mistakes and apply them to our next project.


Design precedent 

Recently, an anonymous poster implied that you cant call a project your own if you follow an existing design. This is not only nonsense, but historically ignorant. All designs are influenced by the designs that preceded them. The unique thing about being human is that we can modify and even enhance precedent. The ancient Greeks created beautiful Doric columns in their architecture and that led to an Ionian style. The Romans were able to take these established designs and create ornate Corinthian columns.

Master chefs are building on centuries of experience. There are a finite number of edible products available on this planet: its how they combine them that makes their dishes original. Woodworkers do not live in vacuums: we create based upon a body of human experience. How we choose to combine our materials and techniques is how we claim our projects. If we were beavers, all our bandsaw boxes would look alike. Well, thats a silly metaphor, but you get the idea.

Are you creative?

The most ridiculous statement I sometimes hear people say is, "Im not a very creative person". Of course you are! Creativity is in your DNA. We are too quick to assume that creativity lies only in artistic pursuits. Issac Newton crushed the establishment with scientific creativity. Martin Luther shook the medieval religious establishment.





Never let anyone tell you he isnt creative. Thats like telling people they have no opposable thumbs. If you envision something to make, pick up a board and sever it with a saw, you are not just creating; you are being creative. If you download a turkey recipe, you are following centuries of tradition by making it work for you. If you download a woodworking plan or try to duplicate something someone else made, it will be yours. Perhaps you will select different woods or joinery techniques. Maybe you will employ the structure from one project and the finish from another. No two projects will ever look alike.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner everyone and rest assured that it was unique.