Anyone who knows me will tell you I sometimes have a little trouble with straight and level. Some would even say I’m severely straight and level challenged. We’ve all hears someone around us claim that they can’t draw a straight line. Well I can’t either it seems... even with the help of a ruler. Squares and levels don’t work properly in my hands and tape measures simply do not function as they should. If I lived and worked in the ‘real world’ it would probably be quite a problem for I can’t seem to get anything quite right - at least not by the normal world’s standards.
Instead of joining the unemployed lineup I set about doing things my way instead... on purpose, leaving he levels, squares ad other precision instruments in the toolbox for the most part. Now, after many years in the business it’s a specialty I’ve become known for.. I even sell this unique commodity at a premium rate for our work is very much in demand. Bent, wiggly, off kilter, textured, all happy curves... this is the norm in the Sawatzky’s Imagination Corporation shop. Amazingly, in a world that is fixated on straight and level it has worked out pretty well. I’ve even trained my crew to work this same way.
This does not mean that the Sawatzky’s crew’s work is sloppy or hastily done - quite the opposite! There is a world of difference between crooked and bent. Crooked doesn’t often look good or pleasing but bent in a cartoon sort of way is a whole different matter. I believe our work makes people feel good inside. Instead of using precise measuring instruments to get things perfectly level and straight we instead use that same energy in making our projects bent, curvy, wiggly, texturized and full of life.
We build by eye... adjusting things until they look right. Instead of making things perfectly flat and smooth we instead spend our time adding texture to all we do. Most often it actually takes longer to accomplish for it is not a haphazard or random thing. The end result is that our work stands our from the masses... it is REALLY different! Our projects look hand made instead of like they came off a machine.
I believe we can all overcome our challenges and handicaps in life. It does not mean wee have to become something we aren’t... but instead we need to embrace exactly what makes us different.
-grampa dan