olcaptain
Senior Member
The Artist’s Hands
The word “artist” brings several thoughts to mind. An artist could be one “whose creative work shows sensitivity and imagination”. But the concept can go even farther than that. I believe that a true artist has a gift that cannot be completely matched or maybe even completely understood by another person.
For instance, if you were to put oil and canvas in my hands you would soon see a mess. But in the hands of Salvador Dali you might soon see a masterpiece such as “The Persistence of Memory”. Why? Because he was an artist!
Likewise, if I were to lay flat on my back on a scaffold to paint the ceiling of my church you certainly wouldn’t mistake my work in any form or fashion for Michelangelo’s painting of the Sistine Chapel. Why? Because he too, was an artist!
Finally, if you placed an electric guitar in my hands I could make a bit of noise but in the hands of a gifted artist such as Buddy Guy (who influenced Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix) it would not only be pure music but it would be music with a passion!
So what in the world does art have to do with an Ol Captain’s tale? I thought you’d never ask…………………….
When I first acquired the Carp Shark I knew immediately that she needed some work. The gunnel molding was broken in a couple of places and the boat was out of line…..
The ribs were cracked as well and the overall structure of this soon to be famous Carpin vessel was in dire need of some love and creative artful attention.
I’m no genius but I do know that if you have a lump of clay and you want fine pottery made from it you need to see a Master Potter. So after getting the boat home I immediately took a few pictures of the damage and sent them to Dawson “Bassboy1” Mion on the GON Forum.
If my memory serves me correctly I first met Dawson in the summer of 2011. Cool Dad and I were Carpin on the lower lake up at Carter’s and Dawson came by to sit a spell.
Now I’m not the sharpest knife in the drawer but I know a keeper when I see one. We sat with Dawson for just one short afternoon. I soon learned that this young man was well read, was an Eagle Scout, and had a passion for metal work. I also sensed that Dawson was a man of character. Not only that but I learned that he had a flare (no pun intended) and a love for working with aluminum. I found out later that his work with aluminum in some circles might even be considered………....art.
After a brief discussion about my newly acquired canoe, Dawson and I soon struck a deal. Within a few days Tim “Cool Dad” Gill, Jim “Hatman” Hatter and I delivered the Carp Shark to Dawson’s shop in Cartersville, Ga.
After placing the canoe on the floor there was ample time to talk about ideas and adventures to come while leaning on another one of Dawson’s projects.
After chatting a while we left the boat with Dawson and made our way back home to the Captain’s Quarters. Being mid winter we were in no real hurry to get the boat finished but in less than two weeks I received a text from Dawson that said…”Your boat is ready!” My heart leapt with excitement and anticipation! After a phone call we decided to come to Cartersville today to view and pick up the finished product.
Cool Dad, Max and I met Dawson at his FishOn Fabrications Shop promptly at 2:00PM. It was then that Dawson unveiled the repairs on the Carp Shark. Things that were once wobbly and crooked were now straight, true and secure!!
Not only had Dawson welded the gunnel fractures and the cracked ribs but he had also added a new thwart with a vertical support as well!!
Basically what Dawson did in a matter of days was transform a 19 year old craft into a functional thing of beauty!!
We were so excited that even though it was 50 degrees we went immediately to Lake Acworth to give her a go! Cool Dad grabbed the bow, Max grabbed the box and the Ol Captain grabbed the paddle!!
As I slowly eased my 60 year old 6'7" 290 lb + frame into the Carp Shark a metamorphosis took place. Within minutes I was 15 years old again!!!
Now folks, if I had a metal boat that needed alterations or some special something fixed I know what I’d do. I’d contact Dawson Mion at 770-608-3003 . Who knows? It might just knock 45 years off your life!!
Art is a wonderful thing. If an artist could be one “whose creative work shows sensitivity and imagination” I hope in the days ahead that you might even see a glimpse of art as your read about the tales and antics of the Ol Captain and the Crew. Until then, have a blessed winter and come see us when you can!
The word “artist” brings several thoughts to mind. An artist could be one “whose creative work shows sensitivity and imagination”. But the concept can go even farther than that. I believe that a true artist has a gift that cannot be completely matched or maybe even completely understood by another person.
For instance, if you were to put oil and canvas in my hands you would soon see a mess. But in the hands of Salvador Dali you might soon see a masterpiece such as “The Persistence of Memory”. Why? Because he was an artist!
Likewise, if I were to lay flat on my back on a scaffold to paint the ceiling of my church you certainly wouldn’t mistake my work in any form or fashion for Michelangelo’s painting of the Sistine Chapel. Why? Because he too, was an artist!
Finally, if you placed an electric guitar in my hands I could make a bit of noise but in the hands of a gifted artist such as Buddy Guy (who influenced Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix) it would not only be pure music but it would be music with a passion!
So what in the world does art have to do with an Ol Captain’s tale? I thought you’d never ask…………………….
When I first acquired the Carp Shark I knew immediately that she needed some work. The gunnel molding was broken in a couple of places and the boat was out of line…..
The ribs were cracked as well and the overall structure of this soon to be famous Carpin vessel was in dire need of some love and creative artful attention.
I’m no genius but I do know that if you have a lump of clay and you want fine pottery made from it you need to see a Master Potter. So after getting the boat home I immediately took a few pictures of the damage and sent them to Dawson “Bassboy1” Mion on the GON Forum.
If my memory serves me correctly I first met Dawson in the summer of 2011. Cool Dad and I were Carpin on the lower lake up at Carter’s and Dawson came by to sit a spell.
Now I’m not the sharpest knife in the drawer but I know a keeper when I see one. We sat with Dawson for just one short afternoon. I soon learned that this young man was well read, was an Eagle Scout, and had a passion for metal work. I also sensed that Dawson was a man of character. Not only that but I learned that he had a flare (no pun intended) and a love for working with aluminum. I found out later that his work with aluminum in some circles might even be considered………....art.
After a brief discussion about my newly acquired canoe, Dawson and I soon struck a deal. Within a few days Tim “Cool Dad” Gill, Jim “Hatman” Hatter and I delivered the Carp Shark to Dawson’s shop in Cartersville, Ga.
After placing the canoe on the floor there was ample time to talk about ideas and adventures to come while leaning on another one of Dawson’s projects.
After chatting a while we left the boat with Dawson and made our way back home to the Captain’s Quarters. Being mid winter we were in no real hurry to get the boat finished but in less than two weeks I received a text from Dawson that said…”Your boat is ready!” My heart leapt with excitement and anticipation! After a phone call we decided to come to Cartersville today to view and pick up the finished product.
Cool Dad, Max and I met Dawson at his FishOn Fabrications Shop promptly at 2:00PM. It was then that Dawson unveiled the repairs on the Carp Shark. Things that were once wobbly and crooked were now straight, true and secure!!
Not only had Dawson welded the gunnel fractures and the cracked ribs but he had also added a new thwart with a vertical support as well!!
Basically what Dawson did in a matter of days was transform a 19 year old craft into a functional thing of beauty!!
We were so excited that even though it was 50 degrees we went immediately to Lake Acworth to give her a go! Cool Dad grabbed the bow, Max grabbed the box and the Ol Captain grabbed the paddle!!
As I slowly eased my 60 year old 6'7" 290 lb + frame into the Carp Shark a metamorphosis took place. Within minutes I was 15 years old again!!!
Now folks, if I had a metal boat that needed alterations or some special something fixed I know what I’d do. I’d contact Dawson Mion at 770-608-3003 . Who knows? It might just knock 45 years off your life!!
Art is a wonderful thing. If an artist could be one “whose creative work shows sensitivity and imagination” I hope in the days ahead that you might even see a glimpse of art as your read about the tales and antics of the Ol Captain and the Crew. Until then, have a blessed winter and come see us when you can!
