The traveling Gnome is coming to your town!! Please read!!! and give your thoughts

[Tommy, Absolute ConcreteWorks]

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 [e-mail]. 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 bottom 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.
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 timeline. 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!!



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.



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 [e-mail]. 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 Cook – the traveling concrete gnome

THE POEM that started it all 14 years ago:
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!

[Gerry Maurer]

Tommy, Collette, and John
Bucks County, PA is a beautiful place to visit any time of the year! We'd love to see you all. Plenty of room for the RV and Marlin, the chocolate lab, would love the company.
Gerry, Beth, Katie, and Marlin

[Tommy, Absolute ConcreteWorks]

thanks guys, get me your contact info and we will put you on the list.

Tommy

Gerry Maurer said:

Tommy, Collette, and John
Bucks County, PA is a beautiful place to visit any time of the year! We'd love to see you all. Plenty of room for the RV and Marlin, the chocolate lab, would love the company.
Gerry, Beth, Katie, and Marlin

[Tommy, Absolute ConcreteWorks]

Things are coming along nice. I am looking to here from more of you as we continue to work on our route. We have a few people interested in training so we will likely head to these areas first and stop by other shops on the way. Keep the addresses coming so we can stop by.
Looking forward to heading out to see you all soon.

Tommy

[Neal]

Tom,
You better stop by Vegas on your way to Az. at least to say hi and spend a good day riding with us.
If you don't I'll come hunt you down,follow you on your journey and tell your your mom and dad all the little juicy details you won't tell them. I have spot for the rv for a while so don't worry about that. Save travels and we'll see you when you get here.
ps this is not a threat it's a promise...and ok a threat to....uncle Neal

[Ryan Waxman]

Durango, Co. 970-403-2269 I got a story for you and lots of ceramic cements to play with. "Free your mind and your ass will fallow."

Good luck,
Ryan

Tommy, Absolute ConcreteWorks said:

Things are coming along nice. I am looking to here from more of you as we continue to work on our route. We have a few people interested in training so we will likely head to these areas first and stop by other shops on the way. Keep the addresses coming so we can stop by.
Looking forward to heading out to see you all soon.

Tommy

[Paul Lundy]

Hey Uncle Neal,
Tommy will be stopping in St.George first!

Paul

Neal said:

Tom,
You better stop by Vegas on your way to Az. at least to say hi and spend a good day riding with us.
If you don't I'll come hunt you down,follow you on your journey and tell your your mom and dad all the little juicy details you won't tell them. I have spot for the rv for a while so don't worry about that. Save travels and we'll see you when you get here.
ps this is not a threat it's a promise...and ok a threat to....uncle Neal

[Neal]

Hmm let see if he goes the long way around (which he probably will via mapqwest) St George would be the stop before Las Vegas and besides once he gets here he'll probably have to stay a while to win back all his money for his journey
1st night in vegas can really be bad on a pocket book......by the way Paul don't know if you remember me but I am one of the guys that was with Shorty last year at the convention that was talking to you after the judging.


Paul Lundy said:

Hey Uncle Neal,
Tommy will be stopping in St.George first!

Paul

Neal said:

Tom,
You better stop by Vegas on your way to Az. at least to say hi and spend a good day riding with us.
If you don't I'll come hunt you down,follow you on your journey and tell your your mom and dad all the little juicy details you won't tell them. I have spot for the rv for a while so don't worry about that. Save travels and we'll see you when you get here.
ps this is not a threat it's a promise...and ok a threat to....uncle Neal

[Paul Lundy]

Oh I remember! I missed the BBQ.
Well we know the kilt will be in LV for WOC and his legs aren't sexy enough to fight over... Uncle!


Neal said:

Hmm let see if he goes the long way around (which he probably will via mapqwest) St George would be the stop before Las Vegas and besides once he gets here he'll probably have to stay a while to win back all his money for his journey
1st night in vegas can really be bad on a pocket book......by the way Paul don't know if you remember me but I am one of the guys that was with Shorty last year at the convention that was talking to you after the judging.


Paul Lundy said:

Hey Uncle Neal,
Tommy will be stopping in St.George first!

Paul

Neal said:

Tom,
You better stop by Vegas on your way to Az. at least to say hi and spend a good day riding with us.
If you don't I'll come hunt you down,follow you on your journey and tell your your mom and dad all the little juicy details you won't tell them. I have spot for the rv for a while so don't worry about that. Save travels and we'll see you when you get here.
ps this is not a threat it's a promise...and ok a threat to....uncle Neal

[Neal]

Think I'll keep the sun glasses around just thinking of the sun hitting those legs is frightening......(shiver)

Paul Lundy said:

Oh I remember! I missed the BBQ.
Well we know the kilt will be in LV for WOC and his legs aren't sexy enough to fight over... Uncle!


Neal said:

Hmm let see if he goes the long way around (which he probably will via mapqwest) St George would be the stop before Las Vegas and besides once he gets here he'll probably have to stay a while to win back all his money for his journey
1st night in vegas can really be bad on a pocket book......by the way Paul don't know if you remember me but I am one of the guys that was with Shorty last year at the convention that was talking to you after the judging.


Paul Lundy said:

Hey Uncle Neal,
Tommy will be stopping in St.George first!

Paul

Neal said:

Tom,
You better stop by Vegas on your way to Az. at least to say hi and spend a good day riding with us.
If you don't I'll come hunt you down,follow you on your journey and tell your your mom and dad all the little juicy details you won't tell them. I have spot for the rv for a while so don't worry about that. Save travels and we'll see you when you get here.
ps this is not a threat it's a promise...and ok a threat to....uncle Neal

[Paul Lundy]

Your right about the legs. I would be willing to bet that you could use the reflected UV light from his legs to seal a top... I'll check with Bob C.

Neal said:

Think I'll keep the sun glasses around just thinking of the sun hitting those legs is frightening......(shiver)

Paul Lundy said:

Oh I remember! I missed the BBQ.
Well we know the kilt will be in LV for WOC and his legs aren't sexy enough to fight over... Uncle!


Neal said:

Hmm let see if he goes the long way around (which he probably will via mapqwest) St George would be the stop before Las Vegas and besides once he gets here he'll probably have to stay a while to win back all his money for his journey
1st night in vegas can really be bad on a pocket book......by the way Paul don't know if you remember me but I am one of the guys that was with Shorty last year at the convention that was talking to you after the judging.


Paul Lundy said:

Hey Uncle Neal,
Tommy will be stopping in St.George first!

Paul

Neal said:

Tom,
You better stop by Vegas on your way to Az. at least to say hi and spend a good day riding with us.
If you don't I'll come hunt you down,follow you on your journey and tell your your mom and dad all the little juicy details you won't tell them. I have spot for the rv for a while so don't worry about that. Save travels and we'll see you when you get here.
ps this is not a threat it's a promise...and ok a threat to....uncle Neal