Engraving | Artists?

I am noticing the term artist here. I’m curious if there are others here who consider themselves artists.

As for myself, I purchased a 45 watt 12X24 Epilog to add to my artist tool kit. I am working with leather, wood, plastic. Am trying hard to not get into production of routine products, but rather to use the laser to create art. My hot button right now is ‘mobiles’. You know, those things that hang from the ceiling and that occasionally look fascinating and artistic. Are there other artists?

I am definitely an artist. I would be very interested in seeing the “things” you create with your laser cutter. In fact, I would be very interested in seeing what other users create with their laser cutters in terms of “artistic creations” if you will. I don’t know if this site has a photo-posting capability or if you can post images to your own sites, but whichever way you do it that would be a very exciting thing. A simple digital camera and small jpegs will do the job. Don’t worry about the quality of the photos. This is for informational purposes mostly, to share what we are all doing.

I don’t consider myself an artist per se, but I design a lot of awards amongst doing other sort of creative stuff with my lasers and other machinery (though am geared to production) We get a lot of artists coming in and having stuff made on the lasers, from lights and furniture to having components for murals and 3d type art/sculpture made etc etc, it’s always great to work with these folk and to see what they do. We have a lot of machines so might be using many materials or substrates to make up a piece. It’s sort of a dichotomy as all our machines are computerized yet are used to make up what can’t be created by a computer.

I also am a keen photographer - just an enthusiastic amateur ;) As to the firmware updates I have never had a hassle, normally the machine defaults back to the old firmware if the loading fails. On hearing more, I am beginning to think it might be a source problem or perhaps a static problem, we had a hassle with one of our machines control panel and static or intermittent odd behaviour from it, we were sent a new one and it was fine, I remember the panel blanking and messing up jobs. I use nitrogen assist for cutting stuff that tends to discolour.

I find it particularly interested when you say you purchased a laser “to add to my artist tool kit.” I did the same, but at 20k or so (cash in my case) it isn’t exactly like adding another paintbrush to your kit! What I mean is that this is quite uncommon and that the results and the motivation that led to this decision are worth talking about. I am in the same situation and I can tell you that I have no interest in doing awards, plaques or name tags with my Laser! What I am interested in exploring what the laser can do in terms of artistic creations.

Sorry for the delay in response…I’ve been upriver.

My decision to purchase with cash and to use as an artist tool comes late in life. I’m 59. A good friend has been coaching me to “invest in myself”. He says don’t buy stocks, don’t invest in other things…invest in yourself.

I have a fertile imagination and am an artist. I can see the possibilities of art with the laser. Right now I am working on crop circle mobiles manufactured (laser cut) from thin alder strips.

I am also working on a leather earring line and a couple of other things

In the end I will have made money or not…however… the journey will cause/allow me to grow as an artist.

I work a lot with photographs. I’m enjoying the laser because it is a break from photos…although I do laser images occasionally.

How about you?

I’m 45 and I just couldn’t see myself working in corporate America for another 20 years. The laser engraver is a “new” tool which has never existed till now. The market is still wide open. Me and wood don’t get along too well. I prefer stone and glass. With an attitude like that you’ll never make money! :-) This year is all about the money for me.

I have a hard time calling myself an artist, more as a creationist. Don’t ask me where I came up with that word, I guess just being creative. I see an artist as some one who express them self in a artistic way. I tend to make things that interest me and maybe can sell at some point in time to recoup some of the costs. It maybe as simple as first person, second person. You might think of me as an artist but I think of my self as something else. I think we all have artistic talent it is just how one develops and expresses it.

As for Alain’s Question of what I cut, well about anything I can try but right know I cut a lot of card stock for scrap booking. My original intention was for woodworking and I would really would like to start doing some marquetry work. Maybe then I can think of myself as an artist :)

I’m quite the opposite. I’m a computer programmer whose been doing digital imagesetting since keypunch cards and core memory. The last thing I would consider myself is an artist, yet I can make some really pretty stuff.


			Artists? I am noticing the term artist here. I’m curious if there are others here who consider themselves artists. As for myself, I purchased a 45 watt 12X24 Epilog to add to my artist tool kit. I am working with leather, wood, plastic. Am trying hard to not get into production of routine products, but rather to use the laser to create art. My hot button right now is ‘mobiles’. You know, those things that hang from the ceiling and that occasionally look fascinating and artistic. Are there other artists? I am definitely an artist. I would be very interested in seeing the “things” you create with your laser cutter. In fact, I would be very interested in seeing what other users create with their laser cutters in terms of “artistic creations” if you will. I don’t know if this site has a photo-posting capability or if you can post images to your own sites, but whichever way you do it that would be a very exciting thing. A simple digital camera and small jpegs will do the job. Don’t worry about the quality of the photos. This is for informational purposes mostly, to share what we are all doing. I don’t consider myself an artist per se, but I design a lot of awards amongst doing other sort of creative stuff with my lasers and other machinery (though am geared to production) We get a lot of artists coming in and having stuff made on the lasers, from lights and furniture to having components for murals and 3d type art/sculpture made etc etc, it’s always great to work with these folk and to see what they do. We have a lot of machines so might be using many materials or substrates to make up a piece. It’s sort of a dichotomy as all our machines are computerized yet are used to make up what can’t be created by a computer. I also am a keen photographer - just an enthusiastic amateur ;) As to the firmware updates I have never had a hassle, normally the machine defaults back to the old firmware if the loading fails. On hearing more, I am beginning to think it might be a source problem or perhaps a static problem, we had a hassle with one of our machines control panel and static or intermittent odd behaviour from it, we were sent a new one and it was fine, I remember the panel blanking and messing up jobs. I use nitrogen assist for cutting stuff that tends to discolour. I find it particularly interested when you say you purchased a laser “to add to my artist tool kit.” I did the same, but at 20k or so (cash in my case) it isn’t exactly like adding another paintbrush to your kit! What I mean is that this is quite uncommon and that the results and the motivation that led to this decision are worth talking about. I am in the same situation and I can tell you that I have no interest in doing awards, plaques or name tags with my Laser! What I am interested in exploring what the laser can do in terms of artistic creations. Sorry for the delay in response…I’ve been upriver. My decision to purchase with cash and to use as an artist tool comes late in life. I’m 59. A good friend has been coaching me to “invest in myself”. He says don’t buy stocks, don’t invest in other things…invest in yourself. I have a fertile imagination and am an artist. I can see the possibilities of art with the laser. Right now I am working on crop circle mobiles manufactured (laser cut) from thin alder strips. I am also working on a leather earring line and a couple of other things In the end I will have made money or not…however… the journey will cause/allow me to grow as an artist. I work a lot with photographs. I’m enjoying the laser because it is a break from photos…although I do laser images occasionally. How about you? I’m 45 and I just couldn’t see myself working in corporate America for another 20 years. The laser engraver is a “new” tool which has never existed till now. The market is still wide open. Me and wood don’t get along too well. I prefer stone and glass. With an attitude like that you’ll never make money! :-) This year is all about the money for me. I have a hard time calling myself an artist, more as a creationist. Don’t ask me where I came up with that word, I guess just being creative. I see an artist as some one who express them self in a artistic way. I tend to make things that interest me and maybe can sell at some point in time to recoup some of the costs. It maybe as simple as first person, second person. You might think of me as an artist but I think of my self as something else. I think we all have artistic talent it is just how one develops and expresses it. As for Alain’s Question of what I cut, well about anything I can try but right know I cut a lot of card stock for scrap booking. My original intention was for woodworking and I would really would like to start doing some marquetry work. Maybe then I can think of myself as an artist :) I’m quite the opposite. I’m a computer programmer whose been doing digital imagesetting since keypunch cards and core memory. The last thing I would consider myself is an artist, yet I can make some really pretty stuff. Possibly related: Engraving jewelry - silver and gold Laser engraving business Laserpro Spirit What do you do with your laser? Etching and engraving