Crafty Tuesday Scientia Potentia Est
Posted By Kathleen David on November 5, 2019
The phrase is attributed to Francis Bacon but there are some doubts about the origin. It translates to Knowledge is Power.
I have over the years learned lots of skills that now allow me to create the art I make today. I plan on continuing to learn new skills and hone the ones I have under my belt.
I learn shop safety and basic tools from my father. I expanded on that knowledge by taking shop in high school. These skills are very useful in theater and in making props and small photo sets. In the theater I learned basic plumbing and electrical work. I could build a small house with what I know.
I learned how to sew from my mother. She taught me how to read and cut out a pattern, how to pick the right fabric for what you are making, and the operation of a sewing machine. She taught me the basics of embroidering when it was such a fad in the 70s. I don’t remember who taught me macramé but I have used it. I taught myself how to knit, I still can’t purl, and want to learn how to crochet.
I learned to build hand and rod puppets at the Center for Puppetry Arts along with many other types of puppets and puppet tricks. I worked in the museum and was able to examine how many puppets were built. I did puppet repair as well which is the fastest way to learn how a puppet goes together. It gave me a firm knowledge of all kinds of puppets and puppetry forms.
Since then I have learned from great teachers who gladly pass on their knowledge to others so that more may create lovely things. Costumers have shown me their tricks which I have used for puppet costumes. Puppeteers have given me all kind of information I have used over time. Artists have shown me how they do what they do.
But I know I have more to learn. I have projects that are just outside my abilities but if I work, I will get to those projects. I know this because the puppets I build today would have been beyond my abilities even 10 years ago.
I love to learn new skills and then using them to make amazing art.
I love teaching others how I do what I do knowing that they will surpass me eventually and that’s a good thing.
I am grateful to everyone who took the time to teach me.
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