I posted a photo of the art piece I did for the top of the stairs at a local winery. That job has been bothering me and I have been thinking a lot about it. Oh, they liked it just fine. It was exactly what they wanted, artistic and functional, a safety piece of art to prevent some guest from tumbling down the stairs.
But there was something about it I didn't like. Ever since I acquired a digital camera I have always taken photos of my work.
I studied these photos for several days, long after I was paid in full and the job completed.
Part of the problem wasn't my fault. There is always an element of risk when I measure for an installation piece and the remodeling or construction is not complete. I had allowed for a baseboard to be installed but thought it might be four inches high. As it turned out, it was about 8" tall which caused me to put a shim piece of wood on the wall at the top connecting piece of my rail.
This worked and did the job but it just didn't have the tight to the wall look that I had envisioned. My customers were happy but I wasn't. Something wasn't right.
A part of the problem was this piece wasn't designed to be 3/4" away from the wall and the other problem, thought of after the fact, I admit, is the main 2" post on the left acts as a frame to this art, a frame incomplete with nothing against the wall.
I could have left well enough alone. I had been paid in full and the job was completed, but it bothered me. It was not a case of saving my good name, a year from now no one will know who made this. It is not signed. But I knew it was nice and it became a matter of saving my art. I could make it better!
I could so I did. Now you can see both photos.
My other Work is HERE.
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| Paid for but something is wrong with it? |
I studied these photos for several days, long after I was paid in full and the job completed.
Part of the problem wasn't my fault. There is always an element of risk when I measure for an installation piece and the remodeling or construction is not complete. I had allowed for a baseboard to be installed but thought it might be four inches high. As it turned out, it was about 8" tall which caused me to put a shim piece of wood on the wall at the top connecting piece of my rail.
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| New and Improved and Framed! |
A part of the problem was this piece wasn't designed to be 3/4" away from the wall and the other problem, thought of after the fact, I admit, is the main 2" post on the left acts as a frame to this art, a frame incomplete with nothing against the wall.
I could have left well enough alone. I had been paid in full and the job was completed, but it bothered me. It was not a case of saving my good name, a year from now no one will know who made this. It is not signed. But I knew it was nice and it became a matter of saving my art. I could make it better!
I could so I did. Now you can see both photos.
My other Work is HERE.
6 comments:
I see what you mean. I've examined it with a tiny microscope .. but your right ... now it looks 'finished' and as usual it's a beautiful piece.
I know the feeling ..I can't say all of my work is perfect but thats because sometimes I just don't 'see' the flaw or otherwise just can't 'fix it'. But when I do know it's there it will bug me til I try to get it right..
It's called "pride in your work"
You can sleep now Jerry !
'
Well, I'll be honest with you, I quite liked the open at the edge frame. Gave it a certain airiness. It still looks great with the full frame but... It's a matter of taste, I suppose - everyone's is different. Respect to you for going back because it bothered you, though.
Yeah! Quality still lives in America. Jerry, I like the fix. That would of bugged you forever so Kudos to you for the integrity to do it right. They'll be calling you again I'm sure.
Staying true to yourself is what matters most, Jerry. I liked it before and I like it now. Still beautiful.
My Dad would carefully paint the car doors of the sports cars he refurbished. He would take off the upholstered interior piece and make sure the door was carefully painted. I asked him why he did this on a part of the car no one would see..he of course said he would know if it wasn't done. This post reminds me of his carefulness and concern for the end product.Kudos
I see what you mean. I rather like it the way you changed it. I know that feeling of not being able to leave a work alone until you feel completely satisfied with it. Drives some people I know crazy, but until my head and heart knows it right, I'll keep tinkering.
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