I am taking the time to personally thank Mr. Stroud for helping us to understand cue making in the perspective of Josswest Cues. I would like to add that, to me, Mr. Stroud is one of the most influential artist's in this industry, and currently, his work is among the most highly sought after be it new or old. I don't think I need to go into much more, as most of us who know about his work already know this. I would like to add to this thread, my opinion of what I think Mr. Stroud is trying to convey, but in my own words.
We live our lives according to our beliefs. What makes life worth more to live depends on how you perceive the world and the actions that you take to live a meaningful life. What it takes to live a meaningful life is enhanced by art. Art is very important. All the buildings, houses and architecture that have ever been constructed on this earth derived from artistic ability. The earth appears the way it does because of the dreams of man, and this is all possible through art. The quantum physics of these actions depended on one person, or a group of people who dreamed a dream and manifested it into reality. Take Donald Trump for instance. He is a real estate developer who has created some very delectable golf courses, casinos, and various living spaces in our lifetime. When you think of Trump National Golf Course, or the Trump International Hotel and Tower, or the Trump Taj Mahal, one can only begin to wonder how all that came to be. It is because he was inspired by art. Often times on the show, "The Apprentice" we hear the words, 'appeal to the consumer'. The commercials, the models it takes to star in those commercials, and the people behind the camera all have creativity flowing in their veins to make that happen, and it is done in an artful way to, 'appeal to the consumer'.
Today, construction is manifested in many different ways. Some like to work with metal or wood. Some like to build their talent in music. Others like to build skill in martial arts combining their mental discipline with their devotion to the perfection of technique and application. Over the course of a person's life, one can attain mastery in his own craft or art. Once mastery is attained in one thing, most everything else in life is comes very natural. The ones who dedicate themselves to a true path are the ones who eventually end up blossoming within the mastery of their art changing not only themselves, but the world along with it, enhancing the world with beauty.
Think of the effect Bruce Lee had on the world. All of the people who watched his movies were mostly inspired in a positive way. People wanted to feel powerful, capable, and strong for themselves. This is magic of inspiration through art. Art has wonder and mystery. When you look at a piece of art that is beautiful, you often stare at it in wonder asking yourself, "Wow. That is amazing. How did he do that?" Just by looking at that piece of art, that person can be affected in a certain way, and if the impression is big enough, that person can be inspired to follow a path based on that piece of art.
Some people never realize the importance of art in relation to life. This is why people can be ugly at times. When a person fails to understand his own life, that person becomes a source of pain for those surrounding him. Those who seek perfection in their life through their art grow to become respected by others as Mr. Stroud has done in his lifetime. The creation of this thread in my opinion is simply to promote art and the positive influences it brings not only to cues, but to the world as a whole.
...you attracted me me.....years ago and it had nothing to do with cues..:sorry:.tell me GOD, am I a traditionalist or just plain wacko...
