Blasphemy To Mix Folk Art Styles With Modern Material/techniques?

[Tallbald]

The more I've studied lure making online here, in books and such places, the more I am drawn to  folk art style  creations.Yet  I stand in awe of the skills and clarity of vision the members here exhibit in so many of the lures they create---lures so realistic and artistic that they are mesmerizing.

 I hand painted accents on my turned sculptures for years, using water based acrylics and brushes. For the present I still have a steady hand. And I feel good learning new ways of making patterns with dry brushing and sponge dabbing. My techniques lend themselves more to folk art style motifs, and I can paint one or two lures at a time as my physical limits allow, or spend days painting and trying new techniques on an oversize piece.

 Now here's the rub. I'd enjoy coating my lures with, for example, epoxy mix for durability and shine. I'd like to use stainless steel where appropriate. I'd like to use scrap brass sheeting for diving lips, or old stainless tablespoons from the thrift store. Basically using what's on hand, available, or that offers a practical, artistic benefit.

  I suppose I'm looking for validation that there's no right or wrong way to get to the finished product, depending on what I aim to make. From the reading I have done (very interesting stuff I have to add), our predecessors used as I would, whatever was on hand, affordable and practical. I suppose that if they had had two part epoxy and such, they would have used them too. Hopefully I'm not violating the spirit of folk art lures by combining materials and techniques from different eras. What say members here? Don

[littleriver]

Don 

 

That is exactly what i have been doing and very happy to do so. Happy because, I am sure as you say, that is what our predecessors would have done or did do in their day. If it makes a better bait, why wouldn't you do it? 

[toadfrog]

When I can I make old style lures from the same materials that our forefathers used . But there are some things simply not available any more . Like leaded paint . Like my gramps always said , make do , I use what is available even the hair off the butt of the cat if it fits the purpose . If we could bring back some of the great tackle makers now gone. They would go absolutely wild with our stuff now . Human nature never changes . An addiction then is the same as now .

[mark poulson]

The only rule is to have fun and enjoy what you're doing.

[Tallbald]

So nice to hear of the acceptance among the folks here. To be continued.....onward and upward! Don

[RayburnGuy]

I say go for it Don. If everyone made baits exactly the same way using the same materials and procedures it would get pretty boring around here really quick. And one thing TU is not is boring. Something that continually amazes me about TU is the coming together of people from all over the world with such a vast set of skills, experiences and ideas about building lures. I must admit I'll probably be the last one to help with anything "artistic". My mind just doesn't seem to work that way.

 

Ben

[rhersh]

Tallbald! I am no artist by any streach of the imagination, but the way I see it there is no right or wrong in the field of art. If it works for you it must be right. I see no right or wrong, just different ways of getting there.