James,
I agree the photos are helpful to newbies much of the time. But how
many times does one have to see the same thing over again. What
actually is disturbing to me is the atmoshper that surrounds the whole
scene. Differing opinions are not tolerated. It's actually a closed
forum in it's current form. Controled by a certain philosophy. There
are other pholosophies that exist. The focus is different.
My contributions to the new builders is not only representing a
different view of the same craft for balance; but I also am working
directly with these new guys, which is quite different than putting on
photo essays. Ask any busy established framebuilder if you can come
and hang around and learn some really esoteric stuff first hand in
their shop. Chances are the door will slam and you'll get nothing.
Working with an apprentice in the shop for a period of years is a much
greater task. We're now going to extend that situation for the benefit
of all interested. It won't necessarily come from me, but through the
camera and words of the apprentices. See if you can learn something
that way. Seeing how each builder does it is all well and good. But
how about hearing from the apprentices what it's like to work around
one of us old coots.
I really seems that only a few have a problem with what we have
planned and how we are going about it. We have a different approach.
No one is being invalidated. There is more than one way to do this.
You'll get your photos an such. But the bias toeards various products
or methods will not be part of the deal. We seek to inspire
uniqueness (the former hallmark of handmade framebuilding) and
encourage creative thinking and creative building. My opinion is the
current trend is directed too much towards framebuilding as a
profession and not as much as passion for the craft. Neither approach
is right or wrong; each is diffenent. Let's not mix them up. That's
all.
Brian Baylis La Mesa, CA
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