Haven't posted in awhile but had an incident today that is prompting me to write. I had a customer who bought 4 of my blessing crosses and when I asked her if she got them and if she liked them (she is out of state) she let me know that she added her own touch to them by adding "glitter glaze" (whatever that is!!) I was furious. I am still furious. The sad thing is, she professes to being an artist. I'm an artist. I would NEVER take someone elses work and re-work it or add to it in any way. I let her know how I felt and then wrote to several of my artist (real artist) friends to get their take on it. Below are some of the responses:
I think whoever did that to YOUR work was WWWAAAAAYYYYYY out of line.
I can't believe that someone would even want to add anything to an original piece of artwork. How did you even find out about it? this is so crazy. I haven't had anyone ask me specific steps in how i create a piece of artwork but i also haven't been in the artworld very long. to me, this is demeaning the piece of artwork and you have every right in feeling the way you do.
You are not wrong! No one should add to or take from your work of art! Any Teacher should know this. To try to make you feel bad for speaking up about this makes it even worse to me.
When your art leaves your studio, it is copyrighted automatically. You still own the copyright even though the piece has been sold. No one should alter your work as it would be infringing on your copyright. The only legal way someone can alter your work would be if they bought your copyright, too. If they buy the copyright, they are free to use your piece as they wish. (this happens more in the advertisting world).
Please people, don't do this to orginal artwork with someone else's name on it. Not only is it illegal, it is unethical, especially coming from another artist. This person has bought art from me in the past, and even though she says she has not altered anything else, I don't trust her and will not sell to her again. And what is sadder about this is that I don't even think she thinks she did anything wrong.
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
"When I begin a new piece of art, I have no idea what it will look like in the end. It comes directly from my heart to the heart of the person enjoying the art. To me, that is what art is all about. The process I use in making a piece also
involves the heart. My process begins with my "painted papers" which are pieces of paper that I make by "painting" on them. This process does not always involve paint. I may "paint" with thread, crayons, pencils, fibers, oils, acrylics, watercolors - the list is endless. Then I use my "painted papers" by sewing them to other papers, creating a sewn collage and painting the image over that to make the piece of art. Many people have given me things to use, things that are dear to them. Adding these things to the piece brings it all together and makes each piece even more special. The wonderful thing about what I do, is that it can’t be duplicated. I can’t even duplicate it, so each piece remains unique. My goal is to produce a piece of art that touches the heart and if it happens to match the couch, great!
SUZI DENNIS ARTIST STATEMENT
The shapes, designs and colors in our environment, intrigue me, whether it is the relationship of the environment to its own surroundings or the relationship of the surroundings to the environment. God has given us the gift of all that surrounds us and He has given to me the gift of seeing ordinary everyday things in a different light and the ability to translate these perceptions into tapestries of color and design onto paper. I celebrate God's gift of Life through my art.
MY PROCESS
"When I begin a new piece of art, I have no idea what it will look like in the end. It comes directly from my heart to the heart of the person enjoying the art. To me, that is what art is all about. The process I use in making a piece also
involves the heart. My process begins with my "painted papers" which are pieces of paper that I make by "painting" on them. This process does not always involve paint. I may "paint" with thread, crayons, pencils, fibers, oils, acrylics, watercolors - the list is endless. Then I use my "painted papers" by sewing them to other papers, creating a sewn collage and painting the image over that to make the piece of art. Many people have given me things to use, things that are dear to them. Adding these things to the piece brings it all together and makes each piece even more special. The wonderful thing about what I do, is that it can’t be duplicated. I can’t even duplicate it, so each piece remains unique. My goal is to produce a piece of art that touches the heart and if it happens to match the couch, great!
1 comment:
I just have to offer a different perspective here. I, too, am an artist and when I create my art I realize that even though my creation is an expression of me, it is not mine. It is my gift to the world. And what the world does with my gift is not my business. (Now if someone were to take my work, tweak it and sell it or if they published my work and did not give me credit for the original creation; then, in my view, they have broken the law. But that's another topic. What I want to address here is the moral/spiritual/emotional aspects of this issue.)
I liken creating art to having children. When you have children you conceive them, nourish and nurture them until they come of age and then, ideally, you let them go. At this point the impact the world has on them is beyond our control. It hurts terribly to see your children battered about by the ‘hard, cruel world.’
So, Suzi, I feel your pain. I know what it’s like to labor over a piece of work until it’s just right and then have someone change it. This woman showed an incredible insensitivity and disrespect to you as the artist by telling you that she had altered your work. But as for actually doing the deed? It happens all the time. And I know it doesn’t make it right, but I guess we get to pick our battles. In situations like this I try to sit back, take a breath and ponder ‘what would Jesus do?’
I hope this point of view helps you to process this event fully so it doesn’t hamper the creation your wonderful art!! You are an inspiration!
Post a Comment