Structures (Editor’s Notes)

Elemental Insights
Sometimes the simplest ideas shine the most brilliantly. Take water, for example:  For all the complexity of "shaping" it with hydraulics, chemistry, structural engineering and dealing with the hard-line issues of technology and craft, it's the hypnotic, aesthetic and even spiritual qualities of the material that ultimately
Brave New Worlds
If you're like me, news stories in magazines and on television that cover innovations in science and technology are far more interesting than about 95 percent of the stuff featured in the mainstream media these days.  To me, few things are more intriguing than peeking in on the
The Anxiety of Influence
A teacher I respect once told me that there's a fine line between research and plagiarism.  He explained that using the ideas of others to construct your own creative expression is perfectly acceptable - desirable, in fact - and a practice that's been part of
Personalities Plus
One of the most fascinating aspects of watershaping is the broad array of personalities that define the industry.  From my perspective, getting to know those who contribute to these pages is a process of discovery that makes preparing every issue a
The Color of Wisdom
The 19th Century poet Eden Phillpotts once wrote, "The universe is full of magical things, patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper."  I've always loved that line and the way it shines a light on the rewards of
The Color of Wisdom
The 19th Century poet Eden Phillpotts once wrote, "The universe is full of magical things, patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper."  I've always loved that line and the way it shines a light on the rewards of
An Emergent Profession
As I was graduating from college many years ago, one of my professors predicted that more than 30 percent of us would eventually hold jobs that hadn't been invented yet.  With the emergence of the Internet and other mass-communication technologies in recent years, I'd be hard pressed to think he was anything but conservative with his forecast. It's exciting to think we live at a time when new vocations are constantly emerging to provide us with ever-broadening sets of employment options.  And it's exciting to point out that one of these new professions
An Emergent Profession
As I was graduating from college many years ago, one of my professors predicted that more than 30 percent of us would eventually hold jobs that hadn't been invented yet.  With the emergence of the Internet and other mass-communication technologies in recent years, I'd be hard pressed to think he was anything but conservative with his forecast. It's exciting to think we live at a time when new vocations are constantly emerging to provide us with ever-broadening sets of employment options.  And it's exciting to point out that one of these new professions
Pioneer Spirit
I recently enjoyed an experience a long, long way from my familiar surroundings in southern California that nonetheless had me feeling right at home. A few weeks back, I had the distinct pleasure of flying to
Growth Formulas
For all the beauty and creativity that characterize the finished watershapes we cover in our magazine, I often find just as much inspiration in the stories behind these polished works of art.  Quite often, in fact, I perceive that these