The Storque - Comments for article: Handmade Portraits: Bruce Metcalf with Bonus Audio Podcast

Bruce Metcalf

2008-10-10T12:51:22-05:00

From article: Handmade Portraits: Bruce Metcalf with Bonus Audio Podcast

Bruce Metcalf was one reasons, besides having awesome faculty and studio mates, that I took several more fine metals classes at ECU. What an honor.

"Beauty is po

2008-10-10T12:54:33-05:00

From article: Handmade Portraits: Bruce Metcalf with Bonus Audio Podcast

"Beauty is possibly redemptive." Love it! Another awesome portrait by Tara!

Amazing. Awe

2008-10-10T13:08:06-05:00

From article: Handmade Portraits: Bruce Metcalf with Bonus Audio Podcast

Amazing. Awesome items too!

Beautiful Int

2008-10-10T13:24:16-05:00

From article: Handmade Portraits: Bruce Metcalf with Bonus Audio Podcast

Beautiful Interview...What Bruce said about his dad touched my heart.....Bruce is extremely inspiring.

These handmad

2008-10-10T14:42:49-05:00

From article: Handmade Portraits: Bruce Metcalf with Bonus Audio Podcast

These handmade portraits are one of my favorite things about etsy. Thanks Bruce! I graduated from a college that removed "crafts" from it's name. I often wonder if they'll ever regret it. I still keep it there when I tell people where i went to school. I'm proud of "crafts", and it will always be CCA"C" to me.

I was a lucky

2008-10-10T14:52:15-05:00

From article: Handmade Portraits: Bruce Metcalf with Bonus Audio Podcast

I was a lucky one too. I graduated from The Appalachian Center for Craft, a satellite campus of Tennessee Technological University. I have fought with getting a MFA because of the dwindling programs in the nation. I love making my metalwork and having others love the pieces. Bruce is an amazing voice in the metals field.

So alluring,

2008-10-10T15:01:11-05:00

From article: Handmade Portraits: Bruce Metcalf with Bonus Audio Podcast

So alluring, I just want to reach out and touch his work.

What a beauti

2008-10-10T15:25:29-05:00

From article: Handmade Portraits: Bruce Metcalf with Bonus Audio Podcast

What a beautiful story. I love his distinction between art and craft and his relationship with his creations. Very cool!

I just love t

2008-10-10T16:01:05-05:00

From article: Handmade Portraits: Bruce Metcalf with Bonus Audio Podcast

I just love the house and tree ring so awsome!

omg, I want e

2008-10-10T16:12:44-05:00

From article: Handmade Portraits: Bruce Metcalf with Bonus Audio Podcast

omg, I want everything! The lace knuckles are the bomb!

we went to th

2008-10-10T16:34:20-05:00

From article: Handmade Portraits: Bruce Metcalf with Bonus Audio Podcast

we went to the same college. i went to the debate with Chanel and Bruce and it was somewhat sad to see the misguided take the craftspeople had on us Etsians. so so many thought it was full of young, under-trained junk-makers.

I first heard

2008-10-10T16:37:19-05:00

From article: Handmade Portraits: Bruce Metcalf with Bonus Audio Podcast

I first heard of Bruce Metcalf through the art vs. craft conference at SNAG last year. I loved his participation with a fellow etsian in a re-visit of the discussion available through the American Craft website. I have formal training in voice (classical) and I know the value of training, but as a mom of three and a love for jewelry, I have had to forgo traditional methods of learning the craft and learn on my own. While it probably takes me lots longer to get a concept or technique, I do know how to "practice". I am glad to see this on etsy. Bruce Metcalf is an iconic figure in the jewelry world and I'm glad that you are staying open to us crafters! Thanks for sharing!

Thanks for al

2008-10-10T17:27:12-05:00

From article: Handmade Portraits: Bruce Metcalf with Bonus Audio Podcast

Thanks for all of your comments! This was a fantastic video to shoot. Bruce's jewelry and dedication to his craft was completely inspiring. The craftsmanship in his work was just outstanding.

Thanks for a

2008-10-10T17:41:23-05:00

From article: Handmade Portraits: Bruce Metcalf with Bonus Audio Podcast

Thanks for a great video on Bruce Metcalf. His work is truly inspiring and he is a joy to listen to.

His work has

2008-10-10T19:24:41-05:00

From article: Handmade Portraits: Bruce Metcalf with Bonus Audio Podcast

His work has a certain affinity with Geiger, but more humane somehow. Wonderful stuff-love his strength for not settling for doing what he didn't want to do, like so many of us. Now that I'm about to retire, I hope to pursue my obsessions comparatively freely. Great and inspiring podcast-love his work.

Wow, Bruce do

2008-10-10T19:26:31-05:00

From article: Handmade Portraits: Bruce Metcalf with Bonus Audio Podcast

Wow, Bruce does some absolutely amazing work and I'm truly moved by what he's done. It was like a lightbulb went off over my head. Thank you for bringing such an amazing man and his artwork to my attention!

That was trul

2008-10-10T20:20:45-05:00

From article: Handmade Portraits: Bruce Metcalf with Bonus Audio Podcast

That was truly awesome! How interesting it is to look at artists and their craft and see them talking about it! Amazing! Thank you for making this well made and super interesting little film!!

I attended Pr

2008-10-10T21:00:38-05:00

From article: Handmade Portraits: Bruce Metcalf with Bonus Audio Podcast

I attended Pratt Institute in Brooklyn as a sculpture major, and I became so disenchanted with the art world because of my experiences there. I've always loved to create, it had always been a self-confirming process for me, and something to be proud of. My grandfather attended Pratt before me and made his career as a lifelong painter. I was inspired by him and so I was enthusiastic to be sort of literally following in his footsteps. Except that in the art school environment I found myself in disharmony with professors who wanted to milk elaborate CONCEPTS out of me and my work. Not that I dislike conceptual art, some of it is genius, but I just came to feel that so much of it is fluff and bluff. And all I wanted to do was make beautiful things, not necessarily with a political agenda or a social statement or any particular message, but with the simple act of pouring myself into a object that originated in my mind. I was told that if I wanted to succeed as an artist I needed to add more layers of meaning to my work, to make it interesting to viewers. I asked why couldn't I just make things that were beautiful, why that wasn't enough? Professors said "because its been done before. The art world has advanced beyond the simple act of physically making something. Concept is everything." And I said I didn't WANT to come up with concepts, I just wanted to MAKE STUFF. And I was told "Well that's not being an artist. That's being an OBJECT MAKER." It was said with such disdain. And that's when I decided "Fine. Maybe I don't want to be an "artist" then. Maybe I'll be an "object maker" and be HAPPY instead." And ever since, I've found myself drawn to nontraditional and non-precious and inexpensive materials. And it has taken some time for me to shake off the art school snob factor, and in fact I stopped creating altogether for a while, but I am finally feeling free enough of the art school confines to be able to unapologetically identify myself as a crafter, an object maker, an artist, whatever, without feeling inferior or bland. It is so inspiring to hear Bruce Metcalf addressing these important issues, because in today's world I think its becoming more important than ever for people to be able to return to the act of creating objects without feeling alone in the endeavor. And don't get me wrong, Pratt is a good school, and I am eternally thankful for all the high-quality technical instruction I received there. I think formal training is important for many people. But I also think that its long overdue that alt crafts be recognized as an essential branch of the "art world."

"Make these t

2008-10-10T21:45:16-05:00

From article: Handmade Portraits: Bruce Metcalf with Bonus Audio Podcast

"Make these things that aren't and make them so they are..." I can't tell you how inspirational I found this. Thank you.

Wonderful int

2008-10-10T21:52:00-05:00

From article: Handmade Portraits: Bruce Metcalf with Bonus Audio Podcast

Wonderful interview with a wonderful artist. Thanks

amazing...

2008-10-10T21:56:34-05:00

From article: Handmade Portraits: Bruce Metcalf with Bonus Audio Podcast

amazing...

gorgeous find

2008-10-10T22:46:34-05:00

From article: Handmade Portraits: Bruce Metcalf with Bonus Audio Podcast

gorgeous finds! I love that pencil holder ring!

You really sc

2008-10-11T01:21:02-05:00

From article: Handmade Portraits: Bruce Metcalf with Bonus Audio Podcast

You really scored one with this interview! I'm amazed on so many levels. Thanks for sharing it with everyone!

I just feel h

2008-10-11T04:45:50-05:00

From article: Handmade Portraits: Bruce Metcalf with Bonus Audio Podcast

I just feel honoured being part of this world...in any sense! Feel proud the know such a poetry maker...thank you Bruce. I hope to meet all of you some day to share our pleasure to put beautiness in this strange, mad world. Thank you Tara to shake the big Etsy boxe, and find me... marco

Wonderful int

2008-10-11T06:56:52-05:00

From article: Handmade Portraits: Bruce Metcalf with Bonus Audio Podcast

Wonderful interview with an inspirational maker

Very interest

2008-10-11T21:26:19-05:00

From article: Handmade Portraits: Bruce Metcalf with Bonus Audio Podcast

Very interesting but somewhat over my head in some points. I am glad he had the sense to do what he wanted to do, and not what someone else wanted him to do.

knuckles are

2008-10-11T23:57:01-05:00

From article: Handmade Portraits: Bruce Metcalf with Bonus Audio Podcast

knuckles are soooo great! I bought from this artist before and love her stuff. Can't wait til there are pages and pages of items to choose from.

wonderful!

2008-10-12T14:07:43-05:00

From article: Handmade Portraits: Bruce Metcalf with Bonus Audio Podcast

wonderful!

To HozzleBozz

2008-10-12T23:12:25-05:00

From article: Handmade Portraits: Bruce Metcalf with Bonus Audio Podcast

To HozzleBozzle - Did you ever read the D. Clowes cartoons, "Art School Confidential"??? I believe they are allegedly based on his experiences at Pratt when he attended decades ago. Some of those "Art School" comics from his graphic novels were made into a really good movie called "Art School Confidential." Another movie based on Clowe's graphic novels came out years ago and was Scarlett Johanson's 1st major movie role - "Ghostworld" - really good also.

I have long a

2008-10-12T23:37:18-05:00

From article: Handmade Portraits: Bruce Metcalf with Bonus Audio Podcast

I have long admired his work.. so this was a real treat to watch. Thanks for the touch of inspiration he brings us thru his work..and you thru the film.

Wow.. What an

2008-10-13T01:13:36-05:00

From article: Handmade Portraits: Bruce Metcalf with Bonus Audio Podcast

Wow.. What an awe inspiring piece to listen to.. I agree that you should not be doing something if you don't enjoy doing it.. This is one of the reasons why I did quit my day job and start making my jewellery full time. If it does all come to an end tomorrow what does it matter if I am the richest woman in the grave yard! Jenni

Very enlighte

2008-10-13T10:56:11-05:00

From article: Handmade Portraits: Bruce Metcalf with Bonus Audio Podcast

Very enlightening! Thank you so much for providing such thought provoking topics and interviews. I'm sending this link on to many!!

This is a gre

2008-10-14T23:21:17-05:00

From article: Handmade Portraits: Bruce Metcalf with Bonus Audio Podcast

This is a great article! I am new to etsy but have long been a metalsmith, it is great to see that this site offers such insiteful articles/interviews. Thaks so much for featuring my lace knuckles in the Related Items. I am honored!