Of mission statements, the internet and showing your art
I had a fascinating lunch time discussion during our most recent Regional SAQA meeting. A group of 5 artists were talking about happens when we make our art public. I was in the minority with my approach-I was also the least experienced artist in the group.
I recognize that when I put my art up on the internet or in a show, people may/will copy it, put photographs up without attribution, or even outright steal my ideas. I’ve already experienced some of this and I’ve already seen another teacher use my class handouts and call them her own. One nationally recognized teacher I spoke with in Houston had a pretty horrific story of another high profile teacher outright stealing her ideas and calling them her own. That’s just so ugly.
If you read this blog you know I show my art-in-process. I enjoy sharing my wins and losses. I hope it encourages others to see how art works-you need to work in the trenches before you make that one fabulous piece.
I recognize and must accept the tradeoffs of making my art-in-process public. I can’t allow myself get upset over misuse of my images or ideas-it comes with the territory. Oh I realize that I may change my mind about this as time goes on!
The other very accomplished artists in the group expressed great concern over making their art public until they had a completed series. They felt that showing just one piece could compromise the artistic integrity of the series. I think they are right.
One artist had a piece in PIQF that was a very compelling piece-it evoked emotion, it was well executed, beautiful and just a very striking, memorable piece. The next year she saw FOUR pieces in PIQF with strikingly similar content, execution and layout. Really, it just couldn’t be a coincidence.
I know there’s not a right view or wrong view here.
But I do think it all comes back to the mission statement of the artist. As an artist I want to be clear on what I’m doing and why. I am still fleshing out my own mission statement. But this much I know:
I make my art out of the joy of a grateful heart. Okay that may sound corny, but I want to show beauty and joy in my work. I’ve said to myself that if I ever get to a point where the joy is gone, I will stop.
I want others to enjoy my work, that’s another reason I do it-to share.
I also want my art to be very, well, artful. I want to learn about and be attentive to the principals of great art. I want to “push beyond pretty” for something more.
And I want to encourage others in their artistic journey.
So for me, it’s about joy, sharing, artistic merit and encouragement.
Being a Regional Rep for SAQA has put me in direct contact with many artists, all with different views on what they want to do. A surprising number of very talented SAQA members do their work for the pure joy of it, period. They have no interest in showing or selling. Some are trying to supplement their income with art sales. Some are more focused on getting into prestigious galleries, exhibits and shows.
There are tradeoffs no matter what your goals are and it seems like the more public your art is, the more likely you are to have your work copied or reposted without attribution. No matter the goal, I think it’s important to develop a clear mission statement about your art. And accept the trade-offs that come with those decisions.
Your discussion immediately made me remember the old saying, “imitation is the most sincere form of flattery.” That may not comfort an artist who has had his/her artistic creation re-created by another.
I love that you share your works in progress and your creative process. It makes you an artist AND a teacher. Those are gifts not everyone has been given.
Thank you for sharing these thoughts. I hope it makes people aware of the right and wrong of stealing & copying art work and especially the written instructions of gifted teachers. In my experience, the teachers I have asked for permission to use their materials have always been willing with the understanding their names would be included in the attribution.
Marcia
I think it’s educating people one at a time. Just a few years ago I posted quilt photos without attribution and someone kindly pointed out that that was not cool. I had no clue at the time. Thank you for the encouraging words!
I’m so glad you addressed this thorny issue. IMHO, plagiarism exists with visual as well as written material. By that I mean unacknowledged copying (or something pretty darn near) of someone’s signature subjects or techniques. For quilting this issue is really nebulous as traditional quilts copy unattributed blocks as a matter of course. As quilters have evolved their own unique patterns (and sold them) attribution becomes more critical. For my work I really try to say where I get my ideas, patterns, or techniques; even if I’ve put my own spin on them. I feel so enriched by the work of other quilters that I’d hate to have access to others’ work heavily restricted for fear of idea stealing.
Of course, the Internet has proliferated the number of quilt photos, and Pinterest pinners often unthinkingly forget about attribution or get it wrong.
The issue of stealing the class and techniques materials of others is nastier as it’s so deliberate. I know Bonnie Hunter found that some quilt teachers were charging students for her free online quilt patterns. My experience has been that quilting teachers and pattern developers are gracious about giving permission to use their stuff if they’re asked in advance and correct attribution is given.
Wow Joanna-I did not know that someone used Bonnie’s free patterns and selling them-what were they thinking? Uh, people kinda know her stuff!! I try to attribute my inspiration to the appropriate source also. Now it’s getting to the point where I wonder-that person that heavily influenced me say 4 years ago, do I still attribute to her?
Not only are you a gifted writer but you embody the spirit of a true artist. I love seeing what you are doing – love the process – and am constantly inspired to try new things because of your enthusiasm. I hope you keep up with your mission to teach and inspire those of us who are searching for our artist within.
Thank you so much Suzanne! I am still trying to find my voice, getting closer but still searching. We’re in this together!
I too create to bring a smile to the faces of others. I don’t worry too much about being copied; I work from my own photographs most of the time. Other times, I’m “given” a piece in a sort of “vision” or “whole picture” and I create it.
As I said, I don’t worry about being copied…but then again, I am not well known. I’m not even “pinned” much (I’ve checked). In our culture, that’s a mixed blessing (What? You didn’t like my work enough to “pin” it?!) ;-)
I am appalled but not surprised by plagiarism in the visual arts. This is not a new thing. Forgery in the arts is as old as the hills. Heck, it probably happened with cave paintings! ;-) Anyone who has not espoused to the credo “Love thy neighbour” (AKA ‘the Golden Rule’) is likely to fall into the trap. These days, in this culture, that’s a great many people because they’ve been brought up with no conscience where that sort of thing is concerned. It’s all about “#1” — me-me-me-me — and is carried out in a culture of thoughtlessness.
That said, I won’t stop putting my work “out there”. I don’t teach, so that means I won’t experience that particular rudeness, but I do post my processes, and talk about where I learned what I’ve learned…and continue to trust in the basic integrity of others…despite the cultural norms, which are selfish and corrupted. If I don’t expect the best of others, how will they expect the best of me? If I don’t trust that others have integrity, what’s the point in doing anything original?
“Love…is not rude. It is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love…always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13:5-7 (NIV)
Yes, I hadn’t thought about it but plagiarism probably has been around a long time-it’s just easier now. I do think there are lots of unaware people, especially at local quilt shows and the like. But like you, I cannot expend too much energy chasing around those that post or copy or pin, etc. I might feel differently if I were a “big” name, not sure. Cor 13 is always good council, especially here. Thanks Margaret!
Hey Jenny,
A quilt at the AQS Phoenix show was titled Something “A la Diane”. Can’t remember what the something was – or the maker’s name. :( But it was a small patchwork that had different quilted motifs in each patch. In the style of Diane Guadynski. (sp) I thought that was quite a tribute as I believe just about everybody that quilts, knows of Diane’s style.
I had planned to use your “cutwork” border on a wall quilt and attribute it to you on the label. It’s my own design, but your cutwork technique. A technique I’d never have thought of without seeing yours. Is that acceptable? I was also planning on asking you first. So. I’m asking. Mine would be poinsettia leaves on a quilt including a photo of the flower from MoandMike.com.
Maggie in Arizona
Maggie in Arizona
Oh now I don’t want to take this too far! Thanks for thinking of me re:cutwork. Cutwork is a technique like say paper piecing or free motion quilting and doesn’t need attribution. It’s been around a long time and I did not create it or bring back a big resurgence. Cut away! No attribution is needed or expected. How kind of you to ask and think about it.
I’d love to see a photo when you’re done-it sounds very interesting! I haven’t done cutwork on just a border before and that sounds so cool to have traditional center with a cutwork border!
Buy, but, but Jenny! I first saw your cutwork border with the bubbles quilted on a sheer fabric. You’d cut the edge to conform to the bubbles. I know cutwork’s been around a long time but I’d never seen it on the border of a quilt. Again, I’d never have thought of that without you!! So. :O)
Maggie
Okay Maggie, attribute away, giggle! My confusion was due to the fact that I didn’t think of the sheer border as “cutwork”. I appreciate the attribution, I don’t think it’s “required” courtesy in this case because all I did was cut where the edges of the bubbles ended. But how can I resist a lovely compliment;-)
I’m new to online blogs and quilting. Jenny’s blog is one of the first I have ever read. Your statements about art and sharing are lovely….but I can’t help but notice that you are quite distressed, well at least concerned, about others taking your ideas , designs ,class hand outs etc. and using them in the classes they teach (presumably they charge for these classes, ie they sell your work and claim it is their own). As an artist you don’t know or keep questioning what your mission statement should be and how you should accept or reconcile the use of your work by others. I’m not an artist or a psychologist, but I have been a practitioner and student of business for decades. I love to share but I don’t like having anything stolen. Yes stolen. The things you talked about are called intellectual property. . It is just a fact that you own what you create. To protect your ownership, you have to Copyright your work. See a librarian at a university and find out how easy it is. Our minister copyrights his sermons.. I hope this helps you and your readers. Glad to share, LJ Combs
Thank you for your comments L J. I actually do copyright my handouts. I put my name on my photos. Unfortunately that still does not keep people from copying. I may not have made my point well. One has to decide whether it’s worth it to pursue such things since it does take away from my artistic mojo and time.
Hi Jenny,
One thing I don’t think I saw mentioned in the comments was that “there’s nothing new under the sun.” I was told this by a quilt artist I studied with–an artist who has won awards world-wide. And it was just repeated again this past weekend by another internationally recognized quilter/teacher. It doesn’t mean that you are allowed to copy their work and present it as your own. To me it just meant taking off a little of the pressure if I happened to be inspired by their work. Because really, that’s how I am most inspired. When I get blocked, I will sit and go through some of my quilt art books. And I will see something that makes me think, “I could do that.” What I am thinking is not an exact copy of their work. Just the idea. Then I close the book and go to work. When I look back at the original “inspiration,” there is really very little similarity.
And sometimes, just sometimes, I have my very own idea : )
Yes Debby, there IS nothing new under the sun. I think some of the issues around copying and stealing are a little fuzzy.
I have experienced what I call “simultaneous creativity”, where I go and create something out of my little head and a short while later see someone else doing pretty much the same thing.
But sometimes it’s just a flat out copy! Like when someone uses a class handout and calls it their own. And in the story of the artist who worked from a photo of her own grandchildren and next year sees 4 very similar quilts….that’s more than coincidence.
Bottom line for me is that I am not going to go out of my way to “protect” my turf other than the basic steps. I suppose if I ever got to be a Big Name I might feel differently!
And your work is very unique and lovely Debby!
Hi Jenny,
Great post, I just signed up to read your blog, very informative and educational, especially this post on copyrighting and intellectual property. I also like to follow your journey, I think you already are a great artist can’t wait to see what direction you take next.
Thank you Inger. It was great to get to chat with you about your fabulous prize winner!
Well said, Jenny. Life is a trade-off. The best you can do in your art is document your stuff and that’s what you’re doing. As for the copying of handouts, you might consider a “cease and desist” letter. They’re very effective.
Thanks Kris. Good to know about the cease and desist-I didn’t know that. I know if I got one I’d be scared!
Just a thought, but if you watermark your photos before posting them, at least your website or blog site will be identified.
Thank you Pat! I do my copyright symbol and name on all photos except ones I take at quilt shows since lots of people might have that same photo. But ya know no matter what, some will use your images. Gotta let that one go for now. I may change my mind later.