A Peek at Fisher's Class

Before I dive in, there’s a spot open in Dave’s next class in October, as well as Tim’s fall classes, check out my website for details.

A while back I wrote about the phrase “how you do anything is how you do everything”. The time I’ve gotten to spend with Dave Fisher in just the last few days has convinced me of the accuracy of this statement. Whether walking, talking, listening, or observing, you get a sense you are in Dave’s world, as a welcome visitor. I’m not talking about the obvious beauty of his finished work, but the care in every part of his process. His notebooks, blackboard drawings, explanations all have the same quiet attention and care. Someday, someone will catalogue and archive his notebooks, and have an easy time of it. They are beautiful, each page frame worthy, already a complete, artful record of his life and thoughts. My notes look more like a ransom notes, nervously written before the swat team busts through the windows. Just being around Dave calms me. From our past encounters, I knew this would be the case, which is why I lobbied him so intently to teach here.

Dave carves letters with a pocket knife, I’m not kidding

I’ve only taken a couple of woodworking classes, much to my detriment. Mostly because I didn’t know where to go or who to work with. Watching Dave teach, I’ve learned a great deal. Yes, I know how to use every tool he is using, but the way he uses them, his approach, is so very different than mine. We’ve had lots of great talks about learning, making and teaching, and one of the thoughts that keeps popping up in my head is how much of learning isn’t just acquiring new information, but letting go of old ideas, habits and expectations. If you pick a great teacher and maker like Dave, you have the opportunity to take a little of their temperament with you. Personally, I am always trying to slow down, revel in the moment. Daves approach is deeply thoughtful. I’ve always seen it in his finished work, it’s perfect, but not in a tense, don’t screw up way. It’s like watching someone juggle a soccer ball with their feet, it’s a show of skill and precision that requires balance and flexibility, and most importantly, joy.

This spoon handle is a great example of what I’m refering too. The mix of precision, attention and playfullness.

I know, I’m raving like a fan boy, but it’s just because I am. Like I said, my evil plan is to get to spend time with the best woodworkers I know, and it’s working.

Besides being enamored with this gift, and my own name in writing, I can’t stop looking at this sign, there is so much going on. The shadow lines that make the travisher 3-d are so unexpected

I love this layout, it feels like it’s straight out of ancient Greece.

The other day, we were prepping some wood for the carving blanks and Dave told me he hadn’t used a bandsaw since middle school. I have been thinking about this every since. It’s not an aversion to the tool, it’s that the slight increase of sawing speed has nothing to do with his ability or goals.

Yep, how you do anything is how you do everything.