Indominable
My circle of friends is mostly populated with men who inspire me due to their knowledge, skills, talents, temperaments and character. No person better embodies this than my long-time friend Ripplin’ John (you can meet him at my booth at Handworks). Engineer, craftsman, and theologian, his company is a treasured enrichment to my life.
Mrs. Barn and I recently traveled to attend his exhibit as he received his Sculpture MFA safely into his eighth decade of life! He is indominable rather than monomaniacal, a distinction worthy of note. The exhibit attendees were treated to an impressive compilation of work and creativity; his thesis dealt with the question “What Is Art?”
The attendees in rapt attention as John elucidates the purposes of his artworks.
Congratulations, John, and thanks for being my friend and fellow Christian soldier.
Here are some pics from the exhibit.
One of the many beautiful objects crafted by John’s hands and tools
One of a series of miniature turned boxes John created with his Rose Engine Lathe, a creative technology completely unknown to most of those in attendance,
The assignment here was to create a sculptural artwork from a book. John excavated and epoxy-laminated a stack of pages, then turned the resulting block on his lathe.
John was exploring the realm of formed, enameled metal medallions.
One of the many facets of John’s program was to teach a class. This is the student workshop where he instructed the kids in basic metalwork. From what I could see they related wonderfully to this graduate student the same age and their great-grandparents.
No doubt, the most bizarre moment of the visit to the college campus was spotting this dispensary in the men’s restroom. Our culture is doomed.
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