Tools, Technology, and Tradition
This month's theme explores the relationship between artisans and their tools, past and present.
Dear Friends,
Last Friday’s feature, “Master of the Chair,” profiled Brian Boggs, a master woodworker and tireless tinkerer who can’t seem to stop customizing his tools—and inventing new ones. On the other end of the spectrum, American sculptor Fred X. Brownstein proudly holds onto the same tools, techniques, and even the same marble source Michelangelo used centuries ago.
Like Boggs, Brownstein had a lot to say about the tools of his art and trade for our story, “The Sculptor vs. the Robots,” written by Thomas C. Cooper—which is also available in our free archives. And just for fun, you can watch Brownstein recreate Canova’s “Venus” in the National Gallery of Art’s time-lapse video, above, which condenses a six-month process to a mesmerizing 6-1/2 minutes. (It’s been nominated for a Webby Award and you can still vote for it here, if you’re quick—voting closes tomorrow.)
We’d love your feedback—and your recommendations. What topics are you most interested in? Which other Substackers should we be reading and following? Please leave us a comment or shoot us an email, if you’re so inclined.
Thank you for reading and sharing our stories, for supporting our work with a paid subscription if you can, and for being part of the Craftsmanship community. We couldn’t do this without you.
Sincerely,
The Craftsmanship Team
Coming soon to our pages…
This week’s new Friday Feature will profile Sarie Gessner, aka “Jukebox Mama,” an up-and-coming Western wear designer who dresses many of country and Americana music’s brightest stars for the stage. It’s written by Meredith Lawrence, whose first story for us, “The Cowboy Folklorist,” is still available in our free archives (and continues to be an audience favorite). We’re excited to share her latest story with you on Friday, April 19… please stay tuned!
ICYMI…
In this short video clip, veteran woodworker Brian Boggs (profiled in “Master of the Chair,” by Janine Latus) demonstrates his custom wood rail-bender, an invention that enables him to do a job normally requiring two or three people.
Throughout the month of April, we’re exploring the relationship between artisans and their tools—including new episodes of “The Secrets of Mastery,” a premium feature for our paid subscribers here on Substack. If you haven’t already done so, you can upgrade your subscription for just $6/month, or $60/year, and get access to the whole series—including previous episodes—along with other new projects we have in the works. Thank you for supporting independent journalism!
Listen to: "How Do Tools and Technology Affect Creativity?" with Gary Rogowski
Craftsmanship Magazine is a not-for-profit, multimedia publication that focuses on master artisans and innovators whose work informs our quest: to create a world built to last. On our website, you’ll find a rich archive of in-depth reported features, audio stories, photo essays, Field Notes, and documentary shorts—along with community resources like our Artisans’ Directory, our guide to U.S.-based craft & folk schools, and much more—all free of charge, and free of ads.
Grew up in th 70's. Raced Motocross (in my mind I'm still a 19 year old Motocrosser, my body doesn't agree) , back then we built, or modified existing bikes for racing, did everything ourselves, basically. Interesting to see the resurgence in 'hand-built' motorcycles these days; might be an interesing subject for a future article. I'm relearning my skills from back then, might try my own hand for a 'scratch-built' motorcycle project. Cheers, Kal Saari, Minden, Ontario, Canada.