| Hello, Welcome To My Journey! |
| IN THE BEGINNING. |
| This page is dedicated to Collette Musil, who started this journey with me as my partner and girlfriend. We decided to take separate journeys in June of 2010. We are still good friends and were fortunate to be able to reconnect and go see the Grand Canyon together at the end of July. Without her support and friendship in the beginning, this journey may not have happened, at least not as successfully as it has been so far. Her German Shepard, John, came along with us for the ride and is still hanging out with Collette in Phoenix, though he does not like the heat. Collette will always have a place in my heart and will always be my friend. I can not thank her enough for taking the leap of faith with me and leaving all that we knew in Seattle to go see what this world has to offer. Below is how this journey all started and a little on our first stops together. It will explain why I left on this journey and what inspired it. I hope you enjoy. Thanks again Collette for your friendship and support and I wish you best on your journey. |
| THE POEM I wrote this 14 years ago, little did I know: Nomadic and trapped, I need to be slapped I keep myself here and it's really quite queer, that I want to get up and go, and yet I tell myself no! Your happy and stable and really quite able of being content, without living in a tent. But that's B. S. you know, I really should go, from place to place, without knowing a face And being secure, without being here. So to the road I am headed, and it's really quite dreaded in one side of my mind, but the other side is fine, it's ready to leave, and begin to receive what this world has to give, it's time that I live that nomadic life, no husband no wife, just me and my truck and I don't give a f**k where the whole thing ends because I'll just start again. So I'm leaving right now, and you can't stop me! |
| IN THE BEGINNING. |
Hello everyone,
I want to first apologize for not being active on the forums, via email or even a call to say hi, for some time now. As
you read on, you will see why. I have had a lot of things going on with work and my personal life and have lost
touch with my community, but that is going to change. It has been a rough year for all of us, but I see good things
coming. And I think that I can be a part of helping our industry really grow, in a very positive way.
This is how it starts. I am sending this letter out to everyone I know and everyone I hope to meet. It is a bit
lengthy, but I hope you take the time to read it and find it of interest. It could have great benefits to your company
as well as our industry. This is not a sales pitch for a new product or service (sorta?). More so it is an idea I have
of sharing the love of what we all do, with each other and the world. My ulterior motive? Well, frankly, to live a
dream I have had for about 14 years.
So, here is the story. Though I have a lot I would like to explain and a lot to say (as those of you who know me,
already know), I am going to keep this as short as possible (which is still going to be long) so you can digest it a bit
and if you have any questions or comments, you can leave them on the forum or write me at tommy@tommytcook.
com. For those of you who don’t know me, I am the kilted one who speaks with long wind, very long wind and
Great passion for the magic liquid stone we create with; AKA Tommy Cook of Absolute ConcreteWorks of the
Seattle Area.
Starting January 1st, I will begin a 2 to 10? year long journey around the US. I wrote a poem (posted at the top if
you want to read it) 14 years ago about this journey and I now have the capability to fulfill it. My intent is to travel
from state to state, town to town, concrete artist to concrete artist. I plan to stop by as many shops as will let me
stop by to meet them, get to know them and hopefully create with them during the time that I am there. I plan to
write a book about the journey as well as stories and articles along the way. I will be submitting them to The
Concrete Network, Concrete Décor, The ISFA magazine, and numerous other publications that will let me tell our
story to anyone that will listen.
I want to first apologize for not being active on the forums, via email or even a call to say hi, for some time now. As
you read on, you will see why. I have had a lot of things going on with work and my personal life and have lost
touch with my community, but that is going to change. It has been a rough year for all of us, but I see good things
coming. And I think that I can be a part of helping our industry really grow, in a very positive way.
This is how it starts. I am sending this letter out to everyone I know and everyone I hope to meet. It is a bit
lengthy, but I hope you take the time to read it and find it of interest. It could have great benefits to your company
as well as our industry. This is not a sales pitch for a new product or service (sorta?). More so it is an idea I have
of sharing the love of what we all do, with each other and the world. My ulterior motive? Well, frankly, to live a
dream I have had for about 14 years.
So, here is the story. Though I have a lot I would like to explain and a lot to say (as those of you who know me,
already know), I am going to keep this as short as possible (which is still going to be long) so you can digest it a bit
and if you have any questions or comments, you can leave them on the forum or write me at tommy@tommytcook.
com. For those of you who don’t know me, I am the kilted one who speaks with long wind, very long wind and
Great passion for the magic liquid stone we create with; AKA Tommy Cook of Absolute ConcreteWorks of the
Seattle Area.
Starting January 1st, I will begin a 2 to 10? year long journey around the US. I wrote a poem (posted at the top if
you want to read it) 14 years ago about this journey and I now have the capability to fulfill it. My intent is to travel
from state to state, town to town, concrete artist to concrete artist. I plan to stop by as many shops as will let me
stop by to meet them, get to know them and hopefully create with them during the time that I am there. I plan to
write a book about the journey as well as stories and articles along the way. I will be submitting them to The
Concrete Network, Concrete Décor, The ISFA magazine, and numerous other publications that will let me tell our
story to anyone that will listen.
I will also be working with the NKBA, AIA, NHBA and others to give seminars and talks about the benefits and uses
for concrete. The more people that know about concrete, the more they can tell their friends and the more art that
we can bring to life. I plan to hit up The Discovery Channel, The History Channel, HGTV and others to see if they
would be interested in the story as I get it going. Could be a big dream, but I have seen much more amazing
things happen. Hell, the story of ACW is more amazing than this. If you haven’t heard the story already, check out
our website at www.acwusa.com.
What about ACW you ask? Well, because of the company that Steve, Tina, I and the hardworking artisans and
craftsman (that have become a part of our team and family) has created, it will continue with the next generation of
our art and the signature art that has made us what we are today. The fact that we have become internationally
known for the work we do, have won numerous design awards and have had a large number of articles done on us
through magazines (locally and nationally), newspaper articles, internet based articles and even being published in
Fu Tung Chengs latest book and several nationally published Sunset Magazines, has given me the opportunity to
call on the many people I have met to help facilitate this trip. I will begin my journey the first of the year, and Steve
will remain at the helm of the ACW ship, the crew will do what they do best and we have several blossoming artists
that will do what they do the way that THEY do it, under the guidance of the client and our now main artist (and
owner) Tina. And me, well I will be helping out via email and phone as needed – which as good as our crew is, won’
t be all that often, and will fly back into town for the occasional “OK, I just got to be a part of this” project that we all
love. Basically, ACW will continue to do what it does, and I am going to as well, just at different shops instead of
ACW.
for concrete. The more people that know about concrete, the more they can tell their friends and the more art that
we can bring to life. I plan to hit up The Discovery Channel, The History Channel, HGTV and others to see if they
would be interested in the story as I get it going. Could be a big dream, but I have seen much more amazing
things happen. Hell, the story of ACW is more amazing than this. If you haven’t heard the story already, check out
our website at www.acwusa.com.
What about ACW you ask? Well, because of the company that Steve, Tina, I and the hardworking artisans and
craftsman (that have become a part of our team and family) has created, it will continue with the next generation of
our art and the signature art that has made us what we are today. The fact that we have become internationally
known for the work we do, have won numerous design awards and have had a large number of articles done on us
through magazines (locally and nationally), newspaper articles, internet based articles and even being published in
Fu Tung Chengs latest book and several nationally published Sunset Magazines, has given me the opportunity to
call on the many people I have met to help facilitate this trip. I will begin my journey the first of the year, and Steve
will remain at the helm of the ACW ship, the crew will do what they do best and we have several blossoming artists
that will do what they do the way that THEY do it, under the guidance of the client and our now main artist (and
owner) Tina. And me, well I will be helping out via email and phone as needed – which as good as our crew is, won’
t be all that often, and will fly back into town for the occasional “OK, I just got to be a part of this” project that we all
love. Basically, ACW will continue to do what it does, and I am going to as well, just at different shops instead of
ACW.
These are some of the ways that I plan to use to fund this adventure. Though this is planned out, I am doing it on
a very tight budget and need to keep a minimum flow of cash to sustain it. Ever hear the term starving artist? Well,
I hope not to be starving. Fortunately, the key word there is minimum. We have already bought a 36’ diesel
pusher motor home and my girlfriend Collette (who is wonderfully supportive of this and actually able and willing to
go with – hell, she has been wanting to do this also – and I couldn’t do it without her!) are loading up the
motorcycle, the truck, the tools, some living wears and our faithful German Sheppard, John and we are hitting the
road. First stop? So far it looks like Phoenix, first part of January. We will travel south in the winter and north in the
summer. The schedule will be sporadic, as we don’t know how long we will stay at each location.
This is where you come in. Any one that would like to be a part of this story, and have an opportunity to tell your
own, let me know. I would like to visit AS MANY of you as possible – hence the 2-10 year time line. I have no idea
how long this will take, but I have no intention of rushing it.
So, this is what I am after and what I am offering. First let it be known that there is NO hidden agenda here. We
are doing this without financial support from any one, just me and my skills, my girlfriend and her skills, the cash we
have in the bank and the security in knowing that what we are doing is meant to be – It Is Our Destiny. Yes, I am
trying to sell some consulting, but only for the purpose of paying my minimal expenses – I do need to survive. Now,
if you want to donate cash to the cause, I can go for that, as every little penny will help.
For you, the artist or the larger companies out there, I offer and ask this:
a very tight budget and need to keep a minimum flow of cash to sustain it. Ever hear the term starving artist? Well,
I hope not to be starving. Fortunately, the key word there is minimum. We have already bought a 36’ diesel
pusher motor home and my girlfriend Collette (who is wonderfully supportive of this and actually able and willing to
go with – hell, she has been wanting to do this also – and I couldn’t do it without her!) are loading up the
motorcycle, the truck, the tools, some living wears and our faithful German Sheppard, John and we are hitting the
road. First stop? So far it looks like Phoenix, first part of January. We will travel south in the winter and north in the
summer. The schedule will be sporadic, as we don’t know how long we will stay at each location.
This is where you come in. Any one that would like to be a part of this story, and have an opportunity to tell your
own, let me know. I would like to visit AS MANY of you as possible – hence the 2-10 year time line. I have no idea
how long this will take, but I have no intention of rushing it.
So, this is what I am after and what I am offering. First let it be known that there is NO hidden agenda here. We
are doing this without financial support from any one, just me and my skills, my girlfriend and her skills, the cash we
have in the bank and the security in knowing that what we are doing is meant to be – It Is Our Destiny. Yes, I am
trying to sell some consulting, but only for the purpose of paying my minimal expenses – I do need to survive. Now,
if you want to donate cash to the cause, I can go for that, as every little penny will help.
For you, the artist or the larger companies out there, I offer and ask this:
If you would open your doors to me and are not afraid to share your story, knowledge, skills and ideas with me, I
would love to come by and meet you (if I don’t know you already) and hear your story. I am looking to do one, or
all, of the following three things for everyone I visit:
1) Meet with you for an interview, artist or company profile, tour of your studio, sharing of stories and ideas,
pictures of cool jobs, a cold beer and some pizza. These meetings will be written about in the book and will also
serve as stories and articles for publication. This is the main reason (or excuse) for the trip. Frankly I just want to
travel and meet cool people and the next two items is how I hope to pay for it.
2) Offer my services for training or teaching. We all know the cost of 3-5 days of training - $500 to $5500, plus
your air fare, plus hotel, plus being gone from your studio – it’s usually worth it, but it gets expensive!! I know, as
we have done classes and training and the students told me. Well what do you think about 2 – 4 weeks or more
of me in YOUR shop, for the same price or less? I would come in and teach you everything you can learn, using
your tools, your materials, your environment and your schedule. I will teach you how I do all that crazy stain work I
do. Show you the products I use and where you can get them. Show you how to tweak out those molds you are
building and maybe make it easier. Show you how to do vertical terrazzo and positive casting with sculpted
design. Given the recent posts over training, I will be pushing this area (the 3-D sculpting) where ever I can. I
have done numerous “positive” casting and sculpting in GFRC and wet cast and want to show you how you can
imagine this style as well s produce it. I am going to tell you and SHOW you everything I know about GFRC and
wet cast. I will consult with my brother, Mike Cook, on your mix designs and help make them work better than they
are and tell you why. This alone can be very valuable! I will tell you everything I know, everything I learn along the
way and everything you can take in the time that I am there. And I am going to do it cheap!! My budget is fairly
minimal, though I do need to pay the bills. I am only looking to make enough money to pay those bills, put fuel in
the diesel, and not live pay check to pay check on the road, put a little in the bank and be able to make it to the
next town. Please understand that I am not doing this for the money, especially as it may not be there – especially
in this economy. From the day I started doing concrete, I have been doing it for the love of the art – and that is
what this is all about. But money does not fall from the sky and times are hard so, my rates are totally negotiable.
I just need to make enough money to live and put a little away for when I blow a tire or break something. I know
what this kind of training is worth, and I am not looking for that kind of money, just an honest living. And Frankly, I
don’t care who you are as a trainer, there is NO BETTER TRAINING than one on one training in YOUR shop!!
would love to come by and meet you (if I don’t know you already) and hear your story. I am looking to do one, or
all, of the following three things for everyone I visit:
1) Meet with you for an interview, artist or company profile, tour of your studio, sharing of stories and ideas,
pictures of cool jobs, a cold beer and some pizza. These meetings will be written about in the book and will also
serve as stories and articles for publication. This is the main reason (or excuse) for the trip. Frankly I just want to
travel and meet cool people and the next two items is how I hope to pay for it.
2) Offer my services for training or teaching. We all know the cost of 3-5 days of training - $500 to $5500, plus
your air fare, plus hotel, plus being gone from your studio – it’s usually worth it, but it gets expensive!! I know, as
we have done classes and training and the students told me. Well what do you think about 2 – 4 weeks or more
of me in YOUR shop, for the same price or less? I would come in and teach you everything you can learn, using
your tools, your materials, your environment and your schedule. I will teach you how I do all that crazy stain work I
do. Show you the products I use and where you can get them. Show you how to tweak out those molds you are
building and maybe make it easier. Show you how to do vertical terrazzo and positive casting with sculpted
design. Given the recent posts over training, I will be pushing this area (the 3-D sculpting) where ever I can. I
have done numerous “positive” casting and sculpting in GFRC and wet cast and want to show you how you can
imagine this style as well s produce it. I am going to tell you and SHOW you everything I know about GFRC and
wet cast. I will consult with my brother, Mike Cook, on your mix designs and help make them work better than they
are and tell you why. This alone can be very valuable! I will tell you everything I know, everything I learn along the
way and everything you can take in the time that I am there. And I am going to do it cheap!! My budget is fairly
minimal, though I do need to pay the bills. I am only looking to make enough money to pay those bills, put fuel in
the diesel, and not live pay check to pay check on the road, put a little in the bank and be able to make it to the
next town. Please understand that I am not doing this for the money, especially as it may not be there – especially
in this economy. From the day I started doing concrete, I have been doing it for the love of the art – and that is
what this is all about. But money does not fall from the sky and times are hard so, my rates are totally negotiable.
I just need to make enough money to live and put a little away for when I blow a tire or break something. I know
what this kind of training is worth, and I am not looking for that kind of money, just an honest living. And Frankly, I
don’t care who you are as a trainer, there is NO BETTER TRAINING than one on one training in YOUR shop!!
This is not to say that I am the best trainer out there, I am not. It is not to say any other training is not valuable,
all training is valuable. What I am is DIFFERENT! What I offer is what I know, the fact that I have been doing
decorative and architectural pre-cast concrete for over 10 years and originally trained with someone that has
been doing it for over 20 years and still is. This fact and the fact that I have been doing construction - from
designing kitchens and retail to being a general contractor does qualify me to train. I also have testimonials from
the students that attended our class at ACW, with me and my brother Mike, that will back up the knowledge and
our techniques. That being said, I am not here to throw dirt. A wise man once told me “throw a little dirt, loose a
lot of ground”. I have held onto this since I first heard it. I am not going to get involved in petty arguments about
who is what and why they are. This does not help our industry!! Yes, I have opinions, but they serve no
purpose in what I am trying to do for the industry. I am out to help our industry, learn as much as I can, meet as
many artists as I can, and share as much as I can. BELIEVE and UNDERSTAND this is about the journey, the
industry and the passion – NOT my ego or how much profit I can make. I have no use for these in my life. The
payoff for me is to meet every one of you and share our passion for what we do.
3) If you are not in need of training, and there are MANY of you out there who are not, then I offer my help at
an affordable hourly wage or piece work basis to help you get through a big project where it would be nice to
have a set of skilled hands on the team, that won’t break the bank, doesn’t need to be trained, and doesn’t need
to be carried on the payroll after the project is complete. A hired gun, so to speak, at a reasonable rate. The
length of work could be from a few weeks to several months if need be. I can build molds, pour wet cast or apply
GFRC, detail, seal and install. I am a great employee, always have been, I bring energy and a great attitude to
the workplace everyday. I could be an asset to your team, even if for a short time.
all training is valuable. What I am is DIFFERENT! What I offer is what I know, the fact that I have been doing
decorative and architectural pre-cast concrete for over 10 years and originally trained with someone that has
been doing it for over 20 years and still is. This fact and the fact that I have been doing construction - from
designing kitchens and retail to being a general contractor does qualify me to train. I also have testimonials from
the students that attended our class at ACW, with me and my brother Mike, that will back up the knowledge and
our techniques. That being said, I am not here to throw dirt. A wise man once told me “throw a little dirt, loose a
lot of ground”. I have held onto this since I first heard it. I am not going to get involved in petty arguments about
who is what and why they are. This does not help our industry!! Yes, I have opinions, but they serve no
purpose in what I am trying to do for the industry. I am out to help our industry, learn as much as I can, meet as
many artists as I can, and share as much as I can. BELIEVE and UNDERSTAND this is about the journey, the
industry and the passion – NOT my ego or how much profit I can make. I have no use for these in my life. The
payoff for me is to meet every one of you and share our passion for what we do.
3) If you are not in need of training, and there are MANY of you out there who are not, then I offer my help at
an affordable hourly wage or piece work basis to help you get through a big project where it would be nice to
have a set of skilled hands on the team, that won’t break the bank, doesn’t need to be trained, and doesn’t need
to be carried on the payroll after the project is complete. A hired gun, so to speak, at a reasonable rate. The
length of work could be from a few weeks to several months if need be. I can build molds, pour wet cast or apply
GFRC, detail, seal and install. I am a great employee, always have been, I bring energy and a great attitude to
the workplace everyday. I could be an asset to your team, even if for a short time.
Well, that is it in a nut shell. The whole thing begins now. Do you want to be a part? Do you want to tell your story
to the world? Would you like to get some good training for cheap? Do you need some help in your shop for a
while? Well, let me know and I hope to come visit you. I hope that ALL of you will be willing to participate in some
way, shape or form. This may be my dream – but it is our reality. From the little artisan in the garage to the Cheng
dynasty, we are all kindred folk and a part of something that is only just beginning. This is just one more chance
for us to tell our stories and establish the history of our industry now.
Thank you all for taking your time to read this. I hope to hear from many of you soon, on your thoughts or ideas
about my plan. I hope to have a lot of invites to visit as well. As posted above, you can contact me through the
forum or my email at tommy@tommytcook.com. I will be starting a web page soon for easier contact.
I look forward to hearing from each and every one of you, and to the prospect of seeing you in the future.
Until then…………
Tommy T Cook – The Traveling Concrete Gnome
to the world? Would you like to get some good training for cheap? Do you need some help in your shop for a
while? Well, let me know and I hope to come visit you. I hope that ALL of you will be willing to participate in some
way, shape or form. This may be my dream – but it is our reality. From the little artisan in the garage to the Cheng
dynasty, we are all kindred folk and a part of something that is only just beginning. This is just one more chance
for us to tell our stories and establish the history of our industry now.
Thank you all for taking your time to read this. I hope to hear from many of you soon, on your thoughts or ideas
about my plan. I hope to have a lot of invites to visit as well. As posted above, you can contact me through the
forum or my email at tommy@tommytcook.com. I will be starting a web page soon for easier contact.
I look forward to hearing from each and every one of you, and to the prospect of seeing you in the future.
Until then…………
Tommy T Cook – The Traveling Concrete Gnome
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