A Desire to be an Amateur

[onocoffee]

I had a bit of driving today and listened to a couple of the Fine Woodworking Shop Talk Live podasts along the way. I don't remember the episode (maybe it was the Two Mikes ep), but there was Pekovich waxing on about another woodworking topic that I thought was worth considering - not even a paraphrase and maybe a complete misinterpretation, but it was something on what it means to be an Amateur.

Many of the participants here are (or have worked as) Professional Woodworkers, and what Pekovich said made me think of people like Woodbutcherbower and CrazyRaceGuy - people who are professionals and are now in a different phase in their journey - are they still "professionals" or something else?

Pekovich made the distinction about being an Amateur - not that it was about not having a certain level of experience and/or skill, but rather the pleasure and ability to make the projects you desire. This is in opposition to the Professional who must make pieces not of their own desire but the desires of others. There is a freedom in being the perpetual Amateur that the Professional does not enjoy.

I thought this was a very interesting and perhaps poignant aspect to consider. Thoughts?

 

[luvmytoolz]

I think a Venn diagram including artist, amateur and professional is required here!

I've know plenty of "professionals" that are barely artists or amateurs, and plenty of artists and amateurs I would consider professional.

But as plenty have said before it's a journey. Most become a master of a small area based on repetitive work over time, and expand upon their range by learning new things and approaches to doing them. And hopefully having fun along the way!

I do really Mike Pekovich I have to say, I'm reading one of his books at the moment. Very talented guy.

 

[PaulMarcel]

I agree with Pekovich that amateur doesn't imply hack but rather that you can do what you like. As a pro, you have to take on jobs to support yourself and sometimes those really aren't what you want to do. Granted, a lack of experience generally hangs out with the amateurs since it isn't full-time and every beginner starts as an amateur for the most part. Could be wrong; often am

 

[peter halle]

Labels, labels, labels. I do think that there is a difference between a professional and a non-professional in the way they work, think, and approach tasks, as well as earning a living doing work for others. Speaking for myself, I was self employed for 21 years making my living working with wood. Nothing glamorous, but it helped my household get by. But part of that was also the mental part of the job. Once someone retires from that, the physical skills don't go away, but the mental stress aspect of "having to do" does. Amateur isn't a good word in my mind.

My friends and family always thought it strange that I always wanted to really enjoy woodworking as a hobby but couldn't let myself really do that while I was also doing it professionally.

I don't consider myself a professional anymore.

Peter

 

[onocoffee]

My friends and family always thought it strange that I always wanted to really enjoy woodworking as a hobby but couldn't let myself really do that while I was also doing it professionally.

I'm not surprised. When you're immersed in something professionally, it's very different than those who are into it as enthusiasts. I see that in my own professional life and one of my viewers even commented on it last month. He said that it seems like I'm more enthusiastic about woodworking than coffee (an industry and craft I've been in for 25 years). I told him: Yes, it probably seems that way because coffee is what I do for a living and we, necessarily, look at and approach it differently.

So I get it. When you've spent your entire week woodworking for a living, the last thing you want to do when you go home is to do more of the same - even if it's on projects for yourself.

 

[luvmytoolz]

He said that it seems like I'm more enthusiastic about woodworking than coffee (an industry and craft I've been in for 25 years).

Speaking of which, we took out the world comps again 2 weeks back!

 

[rmhinden]

I have always thought that the difference between professional and amateur is if you get paid. It's not about skill or experience. I think we all have experience with "professionals" who aren't very skilled or experienced. As well as the opposite.

Bob