Regional Differences

After a respite of unintended duration I was able to relocate and have exchanged my workshop for a studio environment. I no longer feel compelled to create marquetry for others. My main focus now is to work on projects that challenge me and enkindle my passion for marquetry. Occasionally, I will teach a class to art students who are looking for an alternative medium. In all, I am more focused on marquetry than ever before.

As an afterthought I pondered the regional differences found in creating marquetry. These are generalizations and exceptions do exist. Americans are fond of their technology and seem convinced that marquetry can only be created with the latest and most costly scrollsaw. Emphasis is placed on technique more than design. I would go so far as to say they have an obsession with joints while neglecting their art. In my case, I never used a scrollsaw until after I had worked with the fretsaw and knife for nearly 10 years. Some regions of the World are dedicated knife users. It is interesting to note that obstacles encountered by one group are often eliminated by the other. One contributing factor to these regional differences may be that only one technique is taught in that area. Those that really apply themselves may learn the other elsewhere and that makes all the difference for the gifted artist. This may be a blindsided assessment, but the lesson here is not so much how marquetry is created as what was created.