Being new to this whole blog thing, today is the first day where I've really felt like this can be my place to vent my creative frustrations. It might not be interesting to anyone but me, but I guess you all have the choice of reading this or not. I can assume if you've come to this website, you are interested in what I have to say. So this is what I'm facing today:
As the saying goes, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Though it may be true, I've never really liked the way that feels. I am honored when someone appreciates an idea or style that I have come up with, but somehow I am never flattered when they try to take that idea/style and call it their own. Of course all artists can learn from one another, and there are certain techinques and tactics that will by default create the same style of look, that all artists of a particular medium will use. Then the challenge is to take that knowledge and make something your own.
I guess this is a battle that all artists face; no idea is every really "mine" or "yours." But as an artist, I have tried very hard to create a style of work that is uniquely expressive of me. I have developed signature styles and they have come to be my artistic trademark, if you will.
So I was a bit shocked when I opened the mailbox this afternoon to see a postcard from a gallery where I sell my work, featuring the work of another bead artist, whose work looks just like my signature piece. Call it flattery if you will, but I felt a little cheated.
I am a creative person, and I am constantly coming up with new ideas and delving into new designs. And I am not claiming to be the originator of all things glass and beaded by any means. But I have marketed myself for years now under this design, and as a common courtesy, other artists have not attempted to market themselves by this same design.
So I am feeling a little frustrated at this point. A few years ago I would have gone and sulked in the corner; but I have grown a lot as a person, as an artist, and as a business-woman. And this is not ok. No, it's not illegal; but feels like I've been wronged.
So what now? I don't know. I have called the gallery owner to discuss the issue, and to learn more about who this person is, if for no other reason than to satisfy my own curiosity. And I guess I'll take this experience and learn from it and go come up with another new design! Because the beauty of having a creative mind is, the sky's the limit!
Hope ya'll have a good weekend-
cheers-
Carter
A woman plays with fire...something exquisite is born.
2 comments:
Hi Carter,
I just dropped in from Tony's blog and was interested to read about your frustration. My first thought was that the gallery might have had some more awareness about the similarities in designs, but I do like your idea about changing your signature design and growing from this. Maybe that's what it's all about in the end. Another possibility might be to connect with the other artist. Maybe there's more to learn about how the similarities came about. I don't have a jewelry business, so these are just my own thoughts of possibilities, not from any experience with this kind of thing.
why would this gallery except somone whos work is so similar to another artist that they represent? thats what would and does piss me off.one of the gallerys i work with would not even think about bringing another artist in whos work was even close to what mine looks like.well these are the ones that keep us on our toes and in an unfortunate way inspire us to move on in our work.karma is an incredible thing!thats why we dont have to stress over these isssues,somthing better is coming your way.......
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