“We are totally arrogant to think we alone have a totally original mind. We are carried on the backs of all writers/artists who came before us. We live in the present with all the history, ideas and soda pop of this time. It all gets mixed up in our writing/art.” -Natalie Goldberg
“All art is infested by other art.” -Leo Steinberg
Is my idea original? Am I the first person ever to make this form or paint this image? What makes what I do ‘my art.’ And should originality be the goal or be viciously defended?
I find even if two people are given the same materials and instructions to create something and go into separate rooms to make their piece, each piece would be vastly different.
I think it’s healthy to have this discussion frequently because just this week it’s come up again for me in a big way. Last spring I was accused of not making my own work in clay by another blogger and I’ve just learned this same artist is doing it again to another blogger. I think it is troublesome if someone is copying your work exactly for profit. I know this is an ongoing problem for some artists. That’s not what I’m talking about here.
Why would someone want to copy? Because if our only goal is to replicate, we end up restraining our own essence from coming through. But using inspiration as reference – giving ourselves permission to shift and change it verses copying – allows our own stories to emerge – our own unique way of interpreting what we see around us. What makes work great or powerful is that passion showing through. And it’s what artists do – recreate – interpret what they see around them.
So is an ‘authentic-original’ voice the goal? And if so how do we achieve that originality? Does just the act of learning technique and going into our studios and getting to work invite originality no matter what the inspiration? Does a disciplined work ethic keep that ‘voice’ intact? Maybe it’s a combination of inspiration and work. I do believe if you really know how to manipulate your materials, honor those materials and honor your creativity — you will make your work.
And in that finally comes confidence. Because I really believe when someone lashes out, they are suffering a lack of confidence and feel threatened that their work won’t be as good as someone else doing something similar. But I’m going to tell you if every time I paint and I only use red, can I then accuse all other artists who use the color red of copying my work? This situation is just that simple. We all use color and form successfully in lots of wonderfully different but similar ways. What then makes it original?
And in this time of the internet bringing us all closer and filling our heads with everyone else’s art and all of the workshops available – how do we stay true to ourselves? And how do we discourage folks from stealing our ideas or accusing us of stealing their ideas? Or how do we keep from inadvertently stealing others ideas?
I also read on a blog this week someone upset by having someone use an image from their blog on Pinterest. Copyright laws certainly need to change and adapt to this internet growth. It’s here to stay. One of my images was ‘pinned’ but I took it as a complement. Isn’t marketing or to have our work be seen one of the reasons we have our work online?
What do you think? And do you think any of this is even a problem? Have you been affected by any of this and how did you deal with it?
“Even in literature and art, no man who bothers about originality will ever be original; whereas if you simply try to tell the truth (without caring twopence how often it has been told before) you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed it.” -C.S. Lewis
“The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources.” -Albert Einstein
This is a big one. I have never been accused of coping and as for my paintings I would like to see someone try
. My process of adding and subtracting would make it almost impossible. However I used to make heart pendants and I worried because there are so many porcelain heart pendants, but how can two hearts be exactly alike? So I relaxed and just did my hearts. I think what makes a piece yours is that if you come from your heart and are an authentic person your work can only be yours. I think the only reason someone copies is because they don’t have their own ideas. Yes, we are all influnced by everything we see including other artists work, but while those images may go in our soul one way they always come out another way, I know for myself that I could not copy if I wanted to, I can’t even copy myself LOL.
I agree with you about Pintrest and Tumblr. I want my work out there, I want it reblogged a zillion times, as long as I am given credit for it.
Great topic!
xoxo
Well – I definitely was NOT copying when I was accused. In pottery there are only so many forms – and this person tried – well still tries to own a universal simple form. And is quick to try and shut down anyone else using that same form. I’m a firm believer in karma or ‘do unto others’ philosophy – and feel that I don’t need to personally fight that battle. I agree that even trying to copy some of your voice will always be visible. I also think we can over saturate our own creative well and can lose our own voice in the chaos. Many times I need complete silence when working in my studio – not even any music. And one of my favorite things to do is take a long walk before working.
But I do think there is a lot artists need to think about today on all sides of this issue. Once we put something online or in a gallery it is in the public domain and I don’t think the copyright laws have changed with the times. I don’t mind someone posting photos of my work as long as they give me credit or a link back. But we really have no control over any of that.
I agree, trying to own a universal form is nuts. That is like saying no one but can make hearts, but me! It is what you do with the form that counts.
I believe all artists copy and there is not any thing new under the sun, but to put your own heart and soul into a work makes it original.
I always have silence while working, in the past I played music, but over time I have come to enjoy quiet. I know what you mean about the confusion and chaos that comes from saturating ourselves with images, but still your own voice will always win out.
I forgot to say that I like this painting, seems very dream like.
xoxo
Annie – thank you. I did a series of paintings with man & bird positions switched. I don’t think I’m finished with the series. I’ve been so involved in classes I haven’t really done any of my own stuff since Christmas. Can’t complain – I’ve really learned a lot!
Hello Judy—I will come back when I can get my thoughts together and put them into words. These same questions keep floating around my head and sometimes, they stop me dead in my tracks. I wouldn’t get anything done if I kept thinking — am I being original? Am I being true to my own voice? Okay, I thought I would come back, but the words are coming out now! I believe that we are all artists of endless and unique callings. It is like fingerprints made up of swirls and loops…they are built from a common code, but in the end each person’s are unique. We copy–habitually. Nature replicates-Infinitely. Now mass producing with molds or printing off of someone’s else art–not nice. And if one is trying very hard to find their own voice, they may find it is made of many notes from many different stories. And that is a common connection and language we all share.
Charlene – I hope you will come back to this topic if you have more to say. I agree I can’t think about whether I’m being original – I can only go in my studio and work. We are all influenced by so much these days. I can see a museum exhibit in Boston from the comfort of my own home. The internet has brought me so much great art – and great friends. But on the other side of that is the potential of seeing so much work that we mask our own voices or perhaps we start judging ourselves and lose our freedom of expression.
I also believe that once we share our work online, it is then in the public domain and we can’t do much to protect our work. And in the anonymity of the computer unkind folks can do a lot of damage.
I love how you say ‘it is made of many notes . . . ‘ All artists/writers throughout history have reflected their influences from their time, from other artists and the style of art at that moment.
the man in the soda pop is so cool. I will come back when I have more time too gel my thoughts about originality.
I just read a post on fb about pinterests fine print which states says if you pin you give them the rights to the photo you pin in perpetuity, so that may be why someone objected to something from their blog being pinned by someone else. pinterest has apparently written code for a blogger to embed in their blog that uploads if someone tries to pin their item without their consent, since the one pinning – by pinning says they have the rights to pin and the permission to pin which essentially gives pinterest the rights to what they are pinning. These big companies have lots of lawyers and are making lots of money from all the members and pinterest has grown exponentially since January of this year.
Hi Linda – yes – please come back. Love to hear your ideas on originality.
I’m sure all these online folks have lots of lawyers to protect themselves. I just figure that once I’ve posted an image of my work online anyone can take that image – I no longer have control. So I do have some artwork that’s in galleries or I’ve kept for myself that I haven’t posted images.
Hmmmm ….I’ve gone around and around in circles about this topic over the years and in fact was talking about it to a friend this morning. As you mentioned, once you have posted an image on the internet anything can happen. I have had people pilfering images for adverts with no credit etc but all in all the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.
Hi Robyn! I agree that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages and I have also gone round & round on this topic. It seems to be ever-changing. I do keep some of my artwork off the web though!
I think part of the Pinterest problem is the broken links and lack of credit. And people finding other people selling their work. Now that would piss me off. There’s been a lot of talk about it recently and I suspect it will resolve itself somewhere down the line.
As for copying work and being original, I agree it’s all out there and in our heads and no two people are going to do the same thing anyway. As a teacher I’m not afraid of my students copying me because it just wouldn’t be the same. As you said, give two people the same materials and instruction and their final work will still be different.
But you know what, Judy? One of the reasons I’m so attracted to your work is because I’ve used some of the same images in my own throughout the years. Birds. Ladders. I even did an illustration of a boy in a jar years ago… Ha–just a heads up in case you start noticing similarities in our style. I’m not copying, honest. Just drinking from the same muse kool-aid… xo
Yes, I’m hearing horror stories about Pinterest now that I’ve signed on. YIKES. But I’m all over the internet anyway – and that could happen not just on Pinterest. I have to continuously remind myself that some folks just aren’t nice. I hate that!
I love that we’ve drank the same Kool-aid! I’m not so worried about being copied – it happened a lot when I worked in clay. I just hated getting the hate mail from someone I thought was a friend and being accused of copying. Why would I want to make someone else’s work? We artist should support one another!
This post really hits home with me. I have never had the intent to copy. After taking a class from someone, this instructor accused me of copying her class. I had been teaching classes for several years and incorporated a technique that I had learned in her class into what I had already been teaching. The accusation was extremely painful and made me question whether anything I had ever done was original. I even quit teaching for 7 months, allowing the accusation to rob my joy.
What I did learn is to communicate. This instructor knew that I also taught. Had I let her know that I was going to use a technique I learned in her class, she would have been less likely to accuse me, or at least we could have addressed issues before the fact. Another thing I should have done was to give her past examples of the classes I taught to show her that I was indeed not copying.
Being accused of copying is an attack on a person’s character. This instance was particularly devastating to me because I considered this instructor to be a friend. I really couldn’t understand how she could think I would do this.
Next month we will be gathered at the same event. She stills thinks I copied; I still believe that I did not. I can’t be responsible for the outward reactions to her insecurities, but it will sure make for awkwardness when we are together. And I am dealing with a bit of nervousness that she may tell others and that I will be viewed from a skewed lens. I just hate that my name could be muddied amongst my artist community because of this.
So say something that will make me feel better.
Loved your post, by the way.
Hi Amanda! I am so sorry you went through that. I know how painful it is. And you are right it does feel like an attack on your character. I actually gave up my blog for about 5 months and I’ve not worked in clay since it happened to me. It does rob your joy. My attack came from someone I thought was a friend.
Communication would probably have helped in your situation, but I find it odd that someone would teach technique and then be upset when someone used their teachings! I think she needs to deal with her insecurities! I’m not sure how to avoid the awkwardness when you meet again – just feel confident that you meant no harm and you are doing your best to make/teach your art!
It’s sad that we both let it rob our joy. I love your work and don’t think you have to worry for a moment about work ethic or your teachings. And if someone did bring it up – you could explain just the way you did in your comment.
I’m always a little surprised and saddened when artists don’t support each other.
I find some strange comfort that I am not alone in this experience. Thanks for dialoguing about it. I think that I feel a little better just sharing that this happened.
I’m also surprised and saddened when artists don’t support each other. I truly believed for a long time that artists were different than others in that they were supportive, nonjudgmental, and encouraging. While some are amazingly so, I’m learning discernment.
Amanda it probably happens more than we realize. I know, for me it happened months ago and I’m just now talking about it. It’s hurtful and we’re surprised by it. Discernment – we should all learn that.
Hi Judy, thank you for raising this subject it is one which is as complex as the infinite possibilities in art. As an apprentice potter I was taught that any artist who is ‘worth their salt’ should never copy, but that was in the olden days before the internet & in those days we were less exposed in general so copying was less of an issue. I agree with you that nothing is original, everything has been done before. When you visit some of the vast ceramic museum collections in the world you suddenly find that everything really has been done before & nobody can claim anything as their own. I have been imitated many times over the years, it used to make me very angry but I have learned that it is not worth it, in some ways it is a compliment & people do it out of admiration a lot of the time. When you teach you leave yourself wide open to being copied by your students & that is unavoidable, but teachers are in the best position to help their students to find authenticity in themselves & owe it to their students to do so. For me, it was a teacher doing the copying, using my ideas as class material & then teaching it to the students right in front of me, as if it didn’t matter. But the techniques were too advanced & the students did not have the experience to replicate anything anyway. It made me question whether it was insecurity that made me feel so threatened by this & honestly, deep down I feared that someone may do it better than me. It was my insecurity. In the end it made me push harder to challenge myself deeper, to make it really hard to be copied but also to let go of the insecurity & be generous to others by helping them in their artistic journey by giving them tips etc…. as the only real threat was in my own mind. Everyone knew the teacher was copying, it discredited her not me.
I have read a lot of comments recently regarding the use of molds & how some consider it less authentic to use a mold. I agree when referring to commercial molds, mass producing or when attempting pass something off as handmade when it is made by slip casting. However I would like to add that mold making is a very complex process in itself & I have personally spent up to 16 hours hand carving a mold (that I made myself) with texture or my own intricate designs, then use it for my work, which is hand made. I only use the mold until it wears out, then it is thrown away & I make another. It is an artistic endeavor in itself & is in no way less authentic. We have to be careful not to categorize the use of molds as a bad thing otherwise we may find ourselves open to the same criticism when using texture mats, rollers, stamps & press molds that have been commercially made. I make all my own, for reasons of authenticity but also because I love carving so much, it is a beautiful & challenging process. We can’t change what others do & it is a great gift to have ideas that inspire, that is what I tell myself now. My head is full of ideas so give a few away, put out some good Karma inspire & be inspired.
The person who treated you this way is certainly insecure & has projected this to you. The irony is that if she were to look around her she will find that she is not the first to use that idea/technique, humans have been making pottery for 1000′s of years already & we are not as great as our ego’s lead us to believe anyway!
Hi Marie! This is a complex subject and one I think we should discuss. My main idea about originality is it’s only original in how it’s interpreted. So if I need to mimic a shape to learn – if I keep making it then my story will finally emerge. Copying is one way to learn. But I would have been annoyed if a teacher – and right in from of me – was teaching MY lessons! YIKES!
I think if you are creating your own molds then that’s absolutely authentic. I feel the same way about off-the-shelf stencils – you need to make your own artwork.
I love how you say ‘put out some good Karma – inspire and be inspired!’ YES! I agree wholeheartedly – and only insecure folks would feel threatened. Artists tend to collect images that have caught their attention so sometimes as the artist is working through an idea similarities may appear – but if the artist continues to work their idea of the form/image than it soon becomes authentic to their voice — not original but authentic for them.
Why would any true artist want to tell someone else’s story?
Yes why? after all… it’s all about the journey & there are no short cuts to satisfaction. You have to feel the pain of failure & the satisfaction of success with all the trials & tribulations that accompany it. If you skip that part you have missed the juice!!!
Part of me wants to join these forums but they are such a distraction that I find myself spending too many hours on the computer & not enough in the studio where I really want to be.
I don’t know if networking helps to sell more work or inspires us any more than walking out in the back yard looking at nature. I sometimes find myself feeling irritated by it all, by some comments & peoples negative responses test my tolerance, sometimes I think that I could become a recluse very easily, like a crazy hippie lady who just does yoga & makes pots….. lol I’m not so far off!!!!
Marie – I agree – the more work I make the more I learn and the better artist I become – successes and failures. And I quit Pinterest this morning – it was a vortex – spinning me in! YIKES!
I get some of my best inspiration on my daily walks and doing yoga. I’m right there with you – ‘crazy-hippy-paint-clay-covered lady!
Back in the olden days when all you had were pictures from magazines and postcards from shows up on your walls it was so much harder to ‘get inspiration’ from others, but you could do it–magazines, books, etc… Now the image bombardment is HUGE. and for an artist can be too much of a good thing! The temptation for me is to look (too much) at all the wonderful work out there and get side tracked…. Just in the last month I’ve found I have visual overload, and I am cutting WAY back on that. But yes, I have been inspired by others, but I hope my own voice is coming through.
Great subject, much more to say but I have to get back to work!
Hi Cathy – I agree it’s too easy to get side-tracked looking at all the fabulous art online. In fact, I joined Pinterest – but after two days could feel myself being sucked into that vortex (lol) and I cancelled my account this morning. I get my best inspiration on my daily walks!
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