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Respect creativity

Creativity is valuable. Imagination is valuable. Vision is valuable. More and more I feel like we live in an age in which people are divided between those who respect ideas and those who do not. Just look at Facebook and the thousands of pages that have absolutely zero original content. The people who get a post to go viral get paid, while often the content’s creator doesn’t even get credit.

As I was sitting by my art display at SEMA a few weeks ago, a guy walked by:

“I could do that.”

“What’s that?”

(He nods at my work) “Oh, it’s cool stuff; I’m just saying I could do it. I’m going to compete with you next year!”

“Right on. Go for it, man.”

“Hahaha. Nah. I won’t.” (He pauses for a second) “But I could.”

At this point I was back to eating Pop-Tarts.

Conversations like this are pretty common, both when I show my work online and in the flesh. The “I could do that” thing always strikes a nerve because … well … you didn’t do it. I did. I had the idea and I executed it.

Possessing the skills to construct or fabricate something has worth, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with making a living doing so. But building to someone else’s blueprint (or copying a sculpture) is not the same thing as having an original idea and bringing it to reality.

Knife forged by Nate Runals.

When I’m out with my wife Darla and we’re walking an arts and crafts show or checking out a gallery, it’s always exciting to find something different. A piece of furniture reimagined, a painting with an unexpected twist, or a sculpture that brings a smile. There’s something to be said for these types of encounters from an inspirational standpoint, but I’m also a believer in supporting the creative element. Maybe in a few instances “I could do that.” But that person did do that, and I want to pay homage.

A few years ago I was looking into setting up a forge and I found so many cool examples of bladesmithing online. Maybe one day, I thought, I’d be able to craft something like these knives I was eyeing. Regardless, I decided to show respect by purchasing a couple pieces from a blacksmith on Etsy. It was a strange coincidence, but as it happens the craftsman, Nate Runals, was from my small (small) hometown of Middleville, Mich.

Earlier this year when Darla and I were in Traverse City, Mich., we found a rad gallery in the basement of an old asylum. Scott Nelles’ work caught my eye; he forged sculptures, mostly with a sense of whimsy and humor and all well thought out. I ended up with a bronze and aluminum ray gun.

You don’t usually have to look far to find someone doing something unique and worthwhile. Nelles, like Runals, is also from Michigan, so in both cases I kept my money local.

Respect the artists and craftspeople, the creators with vision who continue to inspire us all. At the very least with your words, and when possible, with actions.

All images courtesy of Brown Dog Welding.

Bronze and aluminum ray gun created by Scott Nelles.

About the Author
Brown Dog Welding

Josh Welton

Owner, Brown Dog Welding

(586) 258-8255