The current edition of American Craft Magazine (December 2012-January 2013) features and article reflecting upon Wendell Castle as he turns 80 years old. He has been challenging furniture design conceptions for over fifty years. I first learned of his career thirty years ago form the (then black and white) pages of Fine Woodworking.
Somehow I missed his Ten Adopted Rules of Thumb until now. These are the kinds of words I wish I had been wise enough to write. Though I’ve never articulated list such as this, I do live by many of these words.
1. If you are in love with an idea, you are no judge of its beauty or value.
2. It is difficult to see the whole picture when you are inside the frame.
3. After learning the tricks of the trade, don’t think you know the trade.
4. We see and apprehend what we already know.
5. The dog that stays on the porch will find no bones.
6. Never state a problem to yourself in the terms it was brought to you.
7. If it’s offbeat or surprising then it’s probably useful.
8. If you do not expect the unexpected, you will not find it.
9. Don’t get too serious.
10. If you hit the bullseye everytime, then the target is probably too near.
Wendell recently updated these. I will share those soon.
See his work here.
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