When we began walkarounds this year I asked the students each week to read a chapter from Jim’s books and reflect on what it meant to them in their work. This past week we reflected on Composing – Another Approach to Design from The Impractical Cabinetmaker, which incidentally is one of my personal favorites. I remember reading it for the first time and feeling as though a weight had being lifted from my shoulders, as if I had been given permission to take a sensitive and impractical approach to my work. The following is passage was referenced by more than one of my students.

“As long as it feels right and you enjoy it, you should believe in what you are doing. Don’t let yourself be sidetracked by doubtful onlookers, people who say, “That’s not exciting, you don’t know where you’re going with all those pick and pock details. You’re wasting your time.” At such moments, know yourself, remember you are feeling good working this way. Maybe it’s a nice way to “waste” time…” – James Krenov More »