Business and craftsmanship: two concepts which ought to live side by side in the same environment. The former is the consequence of intelligent behaviour, the most successful way of working according to a system in which the best strategies are considered as those that succeed; the latter is the slow beat of a heart nourished by wisdom. If one is intelligent, each step will lead one to financial gain, and if one is wise, it will lead one to well-deserved artistic acknowledgement, which, at times, lasts until well after one’s death.

My nature gradually leads me to pursue —though I must say that this does not necessarily mean achieve—, the wisdom that I acquire by working, whereas necessity constantly reminds me that I should also be more intelligent.

In view of this situation, I find it increasingly difficult to narrow the distance between craftwork and a work of art. I am fully aware of the fact that it will no doubt take me a lifetime to even remotely resemble those who amazed us with their very many astonishing works of art.

In all these years in which I have struggled to make my name as a craftsman, I have, at least, learnt something I consider truly important:

“More importantly than making things by hand, is the idea of making them properly, even though this may well lead one to change one’s methods”.

Germán Ocaña