In Praise of Early Work

[Cloozoe]

There's obviously much to be said for years of hard-won experience and skill. Most of the people considered masters earned that reputation over time.

The (potential) downsides are a loss of enthusiasm, a dearth of new ideas/tendency to repeat yourself, a --perhaps not-conscious-- growing predilection to coast a bit and do some laurel-resting. When you know you can sell every pipe you make, your best effort or not, for a not inconsiderable sum, it would take a better man than I not to occasionally say "screw it" and not pay quite as much attention to minor details that most people wouldn't notice.

Conversely, think about the first novels or albums produced by writers or musicians that they never surpassed or even equaled. Plus if I were a budding pipe maker making my debut at a major show, I'd spend a ridiculously excessive amount of time on every pipe I carved and make twenty for every one that I wound up choosing to represent me, the monetary return on my invested time be damned.

All this rumination was prompted by a very early (first year, I think) pipe I have from a maker that I like more than any other I've seen from him/her over the ensuing seventeen years (their pipes have since become much sought after).

That's subjective, of course, and doubtless some would prefer the later work and it may also have improved technically - although mine is as faultless a pipe as I own. In any case, that's what set me cogitating.

Any thoughts?

 

[ashdigger]

Everyone starts somewhere

 

[Cloozoe]

Everyone starts somewhere

Didn't find all that verbiage particularly interesting, eh?

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Everyone has a different learning curve. Some take to things very quickly, and some struggle and struggle and never get it.

Back when I was teaching art, I was shocked that some of these great big, no necked football players were the best in class at drawing and painting some of the most beautiful stuff. Then after a discussion with other professors, it made sense that guys who had developed a very good sense of hand to eye skills would take to art quickly. Many of the great artists were also athletes. But, just because someone takes to something quickly, doesn't necessarily mean that they will stick with it. Sometimes, people that do, think that it is too easy an endeavor for them.

Mmmmm... what was the question again?

 

[Cloozoe]

Mmmmm... what was the question again?

I don't remember; ask ashdigger, lol

 

[PA Piper Mike]

I think a lot can be said for the mastery level one achieves. For the person just starting out, sure, they would spend a considerable amount of time trying to make that pipe as perfect as can be. And the time and money it takes would be vast if you wanted to put your best foot forward for your debut. That said, much of that time would be spent looking over every possible nook and cranny to make sure it was as perfect as possible. But once you hit that level of mastery, I don't look at it as putting lesser attention into a pipe as it would be KNOWING what to look for and how to perfect it in a much faster timeframe because of said mastery.

Don't get me wrong, I'm sure there are people out there in their professions that get lazy in their work after a time, but with pipe making, the master level you attain would allow you to put out high quality pipes at a much faster pace. They now know the tricks and methods that they didn't know when 1st starting out. As to your case, it could be that all the planets aligned that day and that early pipe was an anomaly of perfection that has been close to impossible to recreate.

Overall, I get the impression that most, if not all, high-end makers would be too proud of the work they do to put out any pipe that doesn't earn their engraved stamp.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I imagine that developing a huge demand is also stressful. I think of Walt Cannoy on this. He sells each pipe faster than he can even get it posted, with thousands of followers on social media. He also gets lots of complaints on here, about getting orders skipped and such. Having such a huge demand without raising prices means that you are working your ass off, maybe finding which corners can be cut to make your work go faster.

I have a friend who makes folding knives with diamonds, gold and such. Their demand got so high, that they had to make a waiting list and raise prices significantly, which meant going from a $10,000 folding knife to a $80,000 knife, which reduced their demand to a workable level. They make 12 knives a year, and have time to enjoy life in between. Plus, last I checked, I was going to have to wait five years to have them make me a knife.

Or, a brand can move to a production line... which I think is a shit way to run a business. I know that Henry Ford and his workingman's cheap car idea is highly praised, but honestly, to me, it borders on socialist. I realize that he helped make America a car culture society, good or bad on that... I guess someone has to make cheap shit for the masses. But, if you had the opportunity to make a pipe brand, would you shoot for Dunhill level marketing or Dr Grabow? To me, it makes more sense to work smarter, than to work harder for less.

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

I'd definitely rank Joan Van Ark's early work way ahead of her later period.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Most bands, I prefer their early work over later works. Very few bands ever really make their best work (IMO) at the end of their career. I didn't say none, just very few.

 

[litup]

Conversely, think about the first novels or albums produced by writers or musicians that they never surpassed or even equaled. Plus if I were a budding pipe maker making my debut at a major show, I'd spend a ridiculously excessive amount of time on every pipe I carved and make twenty for every one that I wound up choosing to represent me, the monetary return on my invested time be damned.

More examples of musicians come to mind than novelists when I think about this phenomenon. It makes sense to me that an undiscovered songwriter would spend years and years perfecting 10 to 12 songs that more people can relate to. Contrast that with someone that has "made it" in the music industry where they have to push out content and their experiences have recently been things like dealing with the press, fame, fortune, etc. and it's natural that we the people don't like their music as much.

But I don't feel like the making of an inspired pipe is quite the same thing. To me, making a pipe is more akin to learning to play an instrument. Creating yet another billiard isn't the same thing as writing another breakup song. It's more like practicing chords on the guitar or honing your hand independence skills on the piano.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

More examples of musicians come to mind than novelists when I think about this phenomenon. It makes sense to me that an undiscovered songwriter would spend years and years perfecting 10 to 12 songs that more people can relate to. Contrast that with someone that has "made it" in the music industry where they have to push out content and their experiences have recently been things like dealing with the press, fame, fortune, etc. and it's natural that we the people don't like their music as much.

But I don't feel like the making of an inspired pipe is quite the same thing. To me, making a pipe is more akin to learning to play an instrument. Creating yet another billiard isn't the same thing as writing another breakup song. It's more like practicing chords on the guitar or honing your hand independence skills on the piano.

Yeh, bands rarely record and release the first time they try playing their instrument... except maybe heavy metal, ha ha. But yet, pipemakers tend to want to put their first pipes up for sale. (or so it seems)

 

[jbfrady]

More examples of musicians come to mind than novelists when I think about this phenomenon. It makes sense to me that an undiscovered songwriter would spend years and years perfecting 10 to 12 songs that more people can relate to. Contrast that with someone that has "made it" in the music industry where they have to push out content and their experiences have recently been things like dealing with the press, fame, fortune, etc. and it's natural that we the people don't like their music as much.

But I don't feel like the making of an inspired pipe is quite the same thing. To me, making a pipe is more akin to learning to play an instrument. Creating yet another billiard isn't the same thing as writing another breakup song. It's more like practicing chords on the guitar or honing your hand independence skills on the piano.

I find the music analogy perfectly apt to the point of the OP. Musicians often spend several years on their debut album because it's a passion project that they're hoping will catch on. Everything has to be perfect, and oftentimes it is. With a limited budget and limited studio time, it's the moment the band or artist has been waiting for and praying for, so they know they must take full advantage while the brief window remains open. The moment a record contract comes through, it's no longer a passion project, but a job. Now you're on a deadline and because it's now about the money rather than simply the music, and the rules of the game are irrevocably altered. Instead of pushing be boundaries it's, "Just do that thing you did last time."

Pipe making can be the same; nobody begins making pipes as a day job, but success often turns it into one. If you can only make pipes in your free time, you spend all day thinking and rethinking, planning and shifting. When you finally get home, you're ready to create because you only have so much time before you're off to the daily grind once more.

Upon transitioning to full time pipe making, the pipe maker must make what they know can sell, because anything else may not be a creative risk necessarily, but it becomes a fiscal gamble. It's worth noting that my personal favorite pipe maker Alex Florov (This year's pipe of the year winner at the Vegas show) still holds a regular job. It's what allows him to spend a hundred hours on a pipe, making shapes that exhibit his philosophy as much as his creative style. No deadline, no strictures; creative freedom.

 

[anotherbob]

Conversely, think about the first novels or albums produced by writers or musicians that they never surpassed or even equaled.

One part of that is simply time. A band that takes four years to make it to the point of recording an album probably has a few more songs then they need for an album and also had plenty of time to work with and live with those songs before putting them on track. The sophomore album is usually less then a year to two years roughly of time to come up with more music. Second thing people can get weighed down with thinking they have to match critically and commercial their previous successes. And music can be the worst with artists thinking they have to cling to an adolescent outlook and stand point similar to the one they had when young and starving.

That's subjective, of course, and doubtless some would prefer the later work and it may also have improved technically - although mine is as faultless a pipe as I own. In any case, that's what set me cogitating.

Any thoughts?

Also some artists have confounded me because I hate their work and then latter they actually get good at the form, Keaunu Reeves is probably the most popular example (I love tell kids he used to suck at acting, and getting them to watch that Dracula movie he was in dude! p.s. although Bill and Ted kicked ass I don't know if he was really acting).

 

[sablebrush52]

Henry Ford as a Socialist...I'm going to need a while to digest this new facet.

Anyways, back to the topic. My experience is that mastery of a craft comes in different stages and to simplify I'll reduce it to 3.
Stage 1 - You're learning. You don't know a lot, but you have the desire to be the best at this that you can be. Since you don't really know what matters, everything matters and fit, finish, and polish is applied to everything as you hone your skills. You look for mentors, design inspiration, intellectual inspiration, whatever feeds the beast. Speed is less important than perfection and experimentation. As skills become ingrained your process gets refined and your pace picks up, without sacrificing quality. Again, this supposes that quality is a top incentive. You don't really have a personal style, but a bunch of borrowings from established craftspeople.

Stage 2 - You're still learning, but you have considerable knowledge and have maintained your passion, and you start to separate the wheat from the chaff. Everything is not equally important to maintaining a high level of quality. If you're lucky you realize that "perfection" doesn't actually exist by any objective measure, and you find a different standard that is more focused to your craft. Your pace really picks up as practiced hands and eyes make the correct moves automatically. You don't waste time on nonessentials. Your process becomes more abstract, and your techniques for handling materials, seemingly flaless as you become more knowledgeable You keep looking for new things to learn and to try out, possibly altering your methods and results in a way that is more pleasing and satisfying. You have developed your own style and even when you incorporate changes it is still recognizably your own style.
You are at the height of your powers, turning out the finest whatsis of which you are capable. You have a steady market for your product. Change may be less as you hold onto, and build up, what you have already established. This is a tricky time, because change may mean loss of income, and if you're making a nice haul, why change anything? If your focus is on making a haul, you're in a good place to maintain doing what you're doing. But if your passion is not mainly money driven, but driven by that original quest for knowledge, this can be a difficult time as dissatisfaction and burnout start to emerge. Maybe your the quality of your output begins to take a slide.

Stage 3 - Your career is still going strong, though you're no longer the fresh face. There are new fresh names and some of your market is now chasing them. Maybe you decided to try something new and different in your process and it's taking a while to shift its way through your marketplace. If you're still going you must have done something right because most art related careers are short. Perhaps you have some status as an acknowledged authority or master within your trade. You're continuing to refine your process and look for new things. Either that, or you're a washout or a hack.
The other challenge is advancing age and its delights. Your eye/hand coordination is beginning to lessen. Your body is showing signs of damage from the physical cost of doing what you've done for decades. Your output slows and maybe your prices increase, even if the quality isn't quite the same or amybe it's just as good, or better, just different. Your innate talent hasn't shrunk, you have to rechannel it. Perhaps you spend more time mentoring, sharing what you have learned with new artisans, just as you were mentored at the beginning of your career. If you're lucky, you can retire. If you're really lucky you find something different to excite you that you decide to pursue.

Kind of simplified, but pretty close to what I've experienced in an art career spanning well over half a century.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Henry Ford as a Socialist...I'm going to need a while to digest this new facet.

it was tongue and cheek. I couldn't think of a category for a capitalist who panders to the poor working class. The term "working class" just sounds comrad-ish to me.

 

[Cloozoe]

Henry Ford as a Socialist...

Yeah, that one kinda brought me up a little short, too, but I let it slide. Whats next?: "As the notorious socialist Francisco Franco once said..."

Interesting post. Thanks.

 

[litup]

The (potential) downsides are a loss of enthusiasm, a dearth of new ideas/tendency to repeat yourself, a --perhaps not-conscious-- growing predilection to coast a bit and do some laurel-resting. When you know you can sell every pipe you make, your best effort or not, for a not inconsiderable sum, it would take a better man than I not to occasionally say "screw it" and not pay quite as much attention to minor details that most people wouldn't notice.

I was thinking about what you said regarding laurel-resting. That is definitely human nature and I'm not saying that pipe makers are immune to it (I know some that aren't). But the details definitely matter and if a pipe maker is slipping, eventually people start talking about it and the maker's reputation suffers as a result. It doesn't matter how famous a pipe maker gets, if their pipes aren't drilled well, if their stems aren't flush, if the draw is too tight, they might get away with that for a while but eventually the community will make it known and that ability to sell everything for top dollar will be tested.

 

[Cloozoe]

I was thinking about what you said regarding laurel-resting. That is definitely human nature and I'm not saying that pipe makers are immune to it (I know some that aren't). But the details definitely matter and if a pipe maker is slipping, eventually people start talking about it and the maker's reputation suffers as a result. It doesn't matter how famous a pipe maker gets, if their pipes aren't drilled well, if their stems aren't flush, if the draw is too tight, they might get away with that for a while but eventually the community will make it known and that ability to sell everything for top dollar will be tested.

Some of the examples you listed were more extreme than what I had in mind and indeed could bring one crashing down pretty quickly; maybe more like a "laurel induced coma" as opposed to merely resting

 

[didimauw]

Ok. If I understand your post, I would probably agree.

My least favorite pipe I ever bought, was also my most expensive commission. Carver will be unnamed, but may be getting a little "long in the teeth" if that works in this scenario. But a well known and very popular carver, on our forum.

Shoddy stem work, from the tenon to the button. The stem didn't sit even close to flush on the shank, and the button looked like it was carved by a child with one arm and half an eye. And the pipe smoked hotter than anything I've ever owned.

Could be he's getting older, and his eyes aren't what they used to be, or just plain laziness.

So you could be onto something. New carvers may care more about quality, than quantity. Not assuming they will sell every pipe due to their name being on it.

 

[Cloozoe]

Ok. If I understand your post, I would probably agree.

My least favorite pipe I ever bought, was also my most expensive commission. Carver will be unnamed, but may be getting a little "long in the teeth" if that works in this scenario. But a well known and very popular carver, on our forum.

Shoddy stem work, from the tenon to the button. The stem didn't sit even close to flush on the shank, and the button looked like it was carved by a child with one arm and half an eye. And the pipe smoked hotter than anything I've ever owned.

Could be he's getting older, and his eyes aren't what they used to be, or just plain laziness.

So you could be onto something. New carvers may care more about quality, than quantity. Not assuming they will sell every pipe due to their name being on it.

To clarify, I was musing on the possible upsides of one's early career work as opposed to the (perhaps more obvious and oft-cited) benefits of experience. Not really advocating for one as opposed to the other. My usual "on the one hand...on the other hand" perspective on almost everything.