Remembering Encouraging Voices

For the past 18+ years, the sign pictured above has hung above the entry door to my husband's shop. I made this sign as a present for Rob's birthday one year, though I don't remember which one. What I do remember is figuring out how I would accomplish this, since I had never done anything like it before.

I made this sign long before I started drawing or painting. In fact, this sign is an artifact of a time in my life when I didn't think I was very creative at all. But I was interested in scrollsawing. In case you don't know, a scrollsaw is used to make intricate, patterned cuts in wood.

I got into this hobby after helping my husband, Rob, cut out the shape for a boat oar on his bandsaw one afternoon. He showed me how to push the wood into the running saw blade, then turn it to match the contours of the drawing he'd made. I had so much fun cutting out the boat oar that Rob suggested I might like to try his dad's scrollsaw. Unlike a bandsaw that has a very thick and continuous blade, a scrollsaw uses a variety of very thin blades that flex and move, making intricate cuts much easier.

I got started on Rob's father's scrollsaw that he had in his garage. Soon I was buying scrollsaw patterns or finding them in magazines. It took me awhile to get the hang of it and there was some frustration along the way, but I was motivated to learn. Within a few months, I upgraded to a new scrollsaw of my own. We setup the saw in the basement and I spent many weekend afternoons cutting away intricate pieces of wood to make patterns. Some of them still grace our walls.

So when it came time to get a gift for Rob's birthday, I thought I'd put my new skills to work and make him a sign for his wood shop. I picked a font I liked in a design program, typed out the words and printed them to create a pattern. I cut out each letter, then sanded and stained each one. I remember that I had to work on the project at night when Rob was in bed, so he wouldn't see what I was working on. I wanted it to be a surprise.

Then it came time to create the sign itself. I had no idea how to do that. What kind of backboard would I use? How would I afix the letters to it? Should I use glue? I knew that Rob would know just what to do, but I didn't want to ask him and spoil the surprise. So I enlisted the help of Rob's dad instead.

I admit I was nervous when my father-in-law came over one afternoon to help with the project. He was happy to help, but I had never worked on anything with him before. Plus, I'd had disappointing experiences working with my own father on things. In fact, I still hear my dad correcting me in my head when I try to do things that require mechanical ability. I've learned to talk back to that voice that tells me I'm not mechanical, that I don't have enough patience, that I'm not doing it right.

I needn't have worried. Working with Rob's dad was one of the best times I've ever had. He set to work right away looking for the perfect backdrop for the letters I had made. He chose a scrap piece of wood from Rob's shop with a "live edge". Basically this means that the bark is still on the wood. I loved the rustic feel of the piece and thought Rob would love it too.

For the next several hours, my father-in-law and I worked together to plan the layout of the sign, added clearcoat to the backer and assembled everything. Through each step, he was patient, kind and encouraging. When I made a mistake, he'd say, "Don't worry about it, we can fix that." When he saw an easier way to do something, he'd gently point me in the right direction. It was an unbelievable experience, one I cherish to this day.

I only wish that Rob's parents were still around to see the art I'm creating now. They were both so encouraging when I showed them anything I made. It was no different when it was finally time to unveil the surprise. Rob loved his new sign and I was sure to tell him what a big help his dad had been in bringing it to life.

Remembering moments like these helps me to change the way I talk to myself, especially when I'm embarking on something new. For example, this week I continued working on the concept I started last week - a forest painting using negative painting techniques. It's been much harder than I thought to get the concept of painting around something that isn't actually there. But I've done my best to be compassionate with myself. To reassure myself that I'll get it eventually. That it just takes practice. I have a feeling that is what Rob's dad would have said if he were still here.

I hope this little story from my past inspires you to think back on the encouraging voices that have been part of your life. I also hope you'll count your own voice among them. Being kind and encouraging is one of the best gifts we have to give to ourselves and those we love.

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Bringing Joy to the Every Day