 | I believe that creation is a cooperative effort between the artist and the materials. It is as foolish to attempt to predict the outcome of a creative effort as it is to predict how a child will mature into an adult. The process of creating something beautiful and meaningful requires learning the nature of the material, and coaxing the beauty and meaning from it. The material has an idea of what it wants to be. You have an idea of what you want it to be. The creative process involves subtle negotiations between these two entities. There is also an outside influence. God, Fate, Accident, whatever you choose to call it. When the unexpected happens, it does not necessarily mean failure. When the unexpected happens, it is simply another possibility to take into account. An opportunity to move in an unexplored direction. An opportunity to discover new abilities, both in oneself, and in the material. When one emerges from the shadowed path with a thing of beauty, it is a wonder to both. It is said of writing; Unless the author learns something, the reader does not learn anything. I believe this is true of creation in all forms. - R. Michael Torrey |
| The Brand. This is the brand I use on all my work. A concatenation of my intitials with the R backward. On some pieces, I hide the brand on the bottom or out of sight. On others, it is very visible. The brand is an indication of my pride in my work, as well as an assurance of authenticity. |  |