When Creativity Requires an Upgrade
- 1 day ago
- 1 min read
Sometimes the best thing that can happen is when a tool stops working.
My old Maslow CNC machine helped me create the wooden components for many of my sculptural paintings. It allowed me to move beyond the traditional canvas and explore forms that would have been difficult to create by hand.
Recently, it stopped working, and after exploring possible fixes, it became clear that it was time for an upgrade.
This time-lapse shows the assembly of my new QueenBee CNC machine.
I should mention that this project would not have happened without my husband. He's definitely the tech person in our family, and many of the technical details would have been far beyond my comfort zone without his help and encouragement.
But what surprised me was how much I enjoyed being part of the building process. There is something deeply satisfying about assembling a tool that will later help bring your own ideas to life. Each bolt, rail, and component feels connected to future artworks that don't exist yet.
As artists, we often share finished pieces, but there is an entire world of learning, problem-solving, and experimentation happening behind the scenes. This machine is more than equipment. It's a bridge between imagination and reality.
And while my husband may be the technical expert, I'm grateful he invited me into the process rather than simply building it for me. Now I can't wait to see what we create together next—him helping build the tools, and me using them to build the art.
What is something you've learned recently that felt completely outside your comfort zone?
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