pipemakersforum.com

I prefer to be called a briar whisperer.

In my opinion the definition for the term artist, craftsman, maker, all depends on how the person who hears the term defines the word, as all three of those words are interchangeable.

The Oxford English Dictionary defines the older broad meanings of the term "artist":

A learned person or Master of Arts
One who pursues a practical science, traditionally medicine, astrology, alchemy, chemistry
A follower of a pursuit in which skill comes by study or practice
A follower of a manual art, such as a mechanic
One who makes their craft a fine art
One who cultivates one of the fine arts – traditionally the arts presided over by the muses

Merriam-Webster
Full Definition of CRAFTSMAN
1
: a worker who practices a trade or handicraft
2
: one who creates or performs with skill or dexterity especially in the manual arts <jewelry made by European craftsmen>

Was Bruce Lee and artists? what did he create, other than amazement?

I personally like to call myself a pipe crafter, I am a tattooist is there such a thing as a pipeist? I also dabble in Charcuterie which is also considered an art, it is interesting to read others takes on the subject tho

I consider myself a "universal man" or "renaissance man" also called a polymath.

wdteipen wrote:I prefer to be called a briar whisperer.

That's a mixed bag of double edged swords if I ever saw one.

Pipe Builder - If you use pre-cut stems
Pipe Craftsman - hand cut stems

Pipe Hipster - Nate, Huber, & Cryder

Pipe Artist - Tony Hawk (man those 900's are killah)

PremalChheda wrote:Pipe Builder - If you use pre-cut stems
Pipe Craftsman - hand cut stems

Pipe Hipster - Nate, Huber, & Cryder

Pipe Artist - Tony Hawk (man those 900's are killah)

id like to hear your thoughts on pipe master...

wisemanpipes wrote:

PremalChheda wrote:Pipe Builder - If you use pre-cut stems
Pipe Craftsman - hand cut stems

Pipe Hipster - Nate, Huber, & Cryder

Pipe Artist - Tony Hawk (man those 900's are killah)

id like to hear your thoughts on pipe master...

The Pipe Master is reliable:
http://www.smokershaven.com/im-corona-l ... arley.aspx

St. Francis of Assisi wrote: A laborer uses his hands. A craftsman uses his hands and heart. An artist uses his hands, heart, and soul.

I love this quote, and it's certainly relevant here...

If it were not so overused these days I think "artisan" would fit the bill, but it is overused, and as such has lost all of its meaning.

I aspire to make pipes that are functional art, and think of the pinnacle of pipe making in the same general category as other examples of fine woodworking. The more artistic pieces of fine woodworking end up in art museums--great examples of wood carving, for instance, even though some of them might still be functional. Others pieces are great examples of functional furniture that are beautiful in form and function and might end up in a history museum, or another museum with an extensive furniture collection, but might not make it into an "art" museum.

PremalChheda wrote:Pipe Builder - If you use pre-cut stems
Pipe Craftsman - hand cut stems

Pipe Hipster - Nate, Huber, & Cryder

Pipe Artist - Tony Hawk (man those 900's are killah)

Hey guys I've recently begun the transition from pipe builder to pipe craftsman by beginning to cut my own stems. .156 at the button, btw. (Crossthreading)


Sent from my banana phone.

sethile wrote:

St. Francis of Assisi wrote: A laborer uses his hands. A craftsman uses his hands and heart. An artist uses his hands, heart, and soul.

I love this quote, and it's certainly relevant here...

If it were not so overused these days I think "artisan" would fit the bill, but it is overused, and as such has lost all of its meaning.

I aspire to make pipes that are functional art, and think of the pinnacle of pipe making in the same general category as other examples of fine woodworking. The more artistic pieces of fine woodworking end up in art museums--great examples of wood carving, for instance, even though some of them might still be functional. Others pieces are great examples of functional furniture that are beautiful in form and function and might end up in a history museum, or another museum with an extensive furniture collection, but might not make it into an "art" museum.

Inspirational. Thank you for sharing.

No souls were hurt in the making of this BST pipe.

Pipemakers? Craftsmen? Artists? Engineers?

What do I call you guys?

Suppliers

I think the main problem here is language. A word relies upon a universally understood definition.

It's my opinion that certain words, over the years, have become so abused, stretched, and generalized, that they are basically useless.

So, when someone says they are an artist, I really have no god damn idea what the hell they are trying to say. I could guess, but, damn, just skip to what you ACTUALLY do.

I say that I am a Smoking Pipe Maker, because people can understand what I am saying.

If they show an interest, I'll elaborate, and ideally, show them my work. This is a visual language we work in, to communicate what we do we have to SHOW people what we do.

In the end, they can categorize me however they like.

It all depends on what kind of pipes you make. To be an artist you first have to learn techniques and then impart creativity and originality in to what you make. Art or craft, both noble and worthy pursuits. It is just a matter of which you want to be.

If the pipes you make are faithful versions of classic or standard shapes, you are a craftsman. If they are original designs with attention paid to aesthetic values then you are an artist.

I will cite Michael Parks, a graduate in fine arts as a great example. Michael makes spot on stunning classic pipes. He also does totally artistic ones. I would submit that he makes a choice with each pipe he makes as to whether he will be a craftsman that day or an artist.

A pipe by Michael Parks the craftsman


A pipe by Michael Parks the artist

yachtexplorer wrote:It all depends on what kind of pipes you make. To be an artist you first have to learn techniques and then impart creativity and originality in to what you make. Art or craft, both noble and worthy pursuits. It is just a matter of which you want to be.

If the pipes you make are faithful versions of classic or standard shapes, you are a craftsman. If they are original designs with attention paid to aesthetic values then you are an artist.

I will cite Michael Parks, a graduate in fine arts as a great example. Michael makes spot on stunning classic pipes. He also does totally artistic ones. I would submit that he makes a choice with each pipe he makes as to whether he will be a craftsman that day or an artist.

Well articulated, Richard, and great examples to illustrate this with!

yachtexplorer wrote:It all depends on what kind of pipes you make. To be an artist you first have to learn techniques and then impart creativity and originality in to what you make. Art or craft, both noble and worthy pursuits. It is just a matter of which you want to be.

If the pipes you make are faithful versions of classic or standard shapes, you are a craftsman. If they are original designs with attention paid to aesthetic values then you are an artist.

I will cite Michael Parks, a graduate in fine arts as a great example. Michael makes spot on stunning classic pipes. He also does totally artistic ones. I would submit that he makes a choice with each pipe he makes as to whether he will be a craftsman that day or an artist.

A pipe by Michael Parks the craftsman


A pipe by Michael Parks the artist

Wow, haven't ever seen that whale/propoise, or whatever, with that holder before, absolutely stunning and brilliant!

You're right, that's art.

LatakiaLover wrote:Pipemakers? Craftsmen? Artists? Engineers?

What do I call you guys?

Suppliers

Or better yet, Vendors.

Nice George!


Sent from my banana phone.

The problem with the question is, if you're not ALL OF THE ABOVE, then you're not a very good pipemaker.
You have to be an engineer, an artist and a craftsman. And a touch of psychosis seems to help.

Alden wrote:The problem with the question is, if you're not ALL OF THE ABOVE, then you're not a very good pipemaker.
You have to be an engineer, an artist and a craftsman. And a touch of psychosis seems to help.

You are way more succinct than I am.

Well said!