Talk to any artist or craftsman for long enough and you'll hear something about loving 'The process'
So what is this universal thing we're all enamoured with?
Partly it's because once we let a piece go, all that remains for us is the memory of making. Something sticks with us. Otherwise once a piece has left our workshop nothing would remain.
The process of making is a sort of custodianship, we help something go from raw materials to a thing of beauty which will go on to represent something of importance to the person who commissioned it.
The other thing which happens is that the work changes the worker, whether it's learning a new technique or schooling your emotions to stay calm when the piece of metal you've been working on for five hours melts into a useless lump. The skillful application of will requires discipline.
When a craftsman is mindful of his purpose then even repetitive tasks become meaningful. No two handmade rings are identical even if they are the same style. People ask how it is I can sit for hours on the same thing, the answer is because it is not the same thing, every stroke of the file brings it closer to what is perfect.
So, whilst it's true that 'process' is all we have when a piece is finished, it's also all we need to enrich our understanding and give us fuel to tackle the next job with mindful application of will.
