|
Fine Art Engraving About the Artist
|
|
Ray is a trained teacher and has
taught fine art at all levels from kindergarten to college.
Ray started his embellishment career as a scrimshander working at
that through his high school and college years. During the
early 90s Ray became interested in metal engraving and started
tackling the learning curve. Soon he left his teaching career to
work as a full time self employed engraver.
In early 2006 Ray started remodeling his studio to open and engraving school.
|
|
|
My philosophy of art and engraving As it pertains to tradition: I feel tradition is very important in all art forms. That being said I don't believe tradition is the final word. Tradition teaches us what those who worked hard before us figured out. It forms a base of knowledge and technique on which we can all build. I do see problems caused by tradition in fields like engraving. Too often tradition itself becomes the pinnacle to aspire to and those engravers of old become the superhero idols of the new generation. In short tradition becomes worshiped and those who laid down the tradition become the "prophets". Tradition is important but it needs to be kept in perspective. When tradition is worshiped we never advance beyond what has already be done by those before us. When we forget tradition we end up wasting time relearning what has already been accomplished. The best place to hold tradition is somewhere in between. Respect what has been done before and build upon it. As it pertains to design: I do not like the old "rules" of scroll design. These rules tend to be laid down as an easy way to teach others to cut a scroll. I will teach these methods in my school as a way to get students started but people need to grow beyond that quick. This system is limited in its scope and potential. As a trained artist I learned to design using the Principles and Elements of Design. I learned to be a good designer no matter what the medium, subject or space to be used. When one learns to manipulate the P&E of D they do not need a list of systematic "Rules" for designing scroll. This skill allows one to create good designs no matter what style of scroll or design motifs they are working with.As it pertains to the debate over the term "Hand Engraving": |
I
disagree with the line of thought that says "If you are not
using a manual push graver or a hammer and chisel you are not 'hand
engraving' but machine engraving". "Hand Engraving" should not
be defined by the tool used, but rather, by what controls the tool.
If the path and depth of cut of the tool is controlled by a computer or a series of templates or guide plates then you are indeed machine engraving. However, if the path and depth of cut of the tool is controlled solely by the hand then you are indeed "hand engraving". As it pertains to engraving as "Artwork": "Is engraving artwork or is it merely a decoration put on pre-made objects?" This is an improper question because it takes the debate and makes it an "either or issue". In face engraving can be a art medium but it can also be merely a decoration. What makes the difference? To me the difference is the application of the creative process. I general there are two types of engraving. One is production engraving. Think assembly line where the engraver has a set pre-made pattern that he is cutting on several like parts. The same pattern is cut over and over by wrote with no creative intent. The purpose of this type of work is nothing more than to decorate a surface. This is more like hanging wallpaper with a set design on a wall. Speed and coverage are often the goal with this type of engraving. Unfortunately, quality usually suffers.On the other hand we have Art engraving in which a design is created for a specific surface often with a specific theme or look that is to be achieved. The creative process and the Principles and Elements of Design have to be involved top achieve a well thought out design. This is more like designing and painting a mural on that wall. Most people who do this type of engraving strive to do the best quality work they can to make a first class project. |
