What a generous and wise way to hold this reality. It translates to so many areas of life in which we’re striving for connection and validation. Thank you for this reminder. 💗
I'm an embroidery artist and have had some copycats over the years. I definitely agree that they're not fuelling their own creativity by doing this, and it's telling that I'm still making 6 years into this art form when many of them have let their art fall by the wayside. I'm not saying that to be petty, but I think it's an example of how copying won't nurture your own, innate abilities to create art.
Twenty years ago, I published a single panel cartoon with the caption, Thinking Outside the Bachs'. It featured Bach and his wife at a large window, and outside was the statue of "The Thinker." A year later, the caption was one of the answers in a clever New York Times Sunday crossword. This moment of laughter taught me that, yes, we get caught up in the Self, but in reality, humanity is one brain full of creative urgency and the desire to upgrade existence. I live by aphorisms, one of them being, "The artist is looking only for what he can use." Art is a hive effort. Don't let the needs of the Self trip you up.
I love this - your words, thoughtfulness, reference to EG's Big Magic... just tackling the whole shebang in all its awkward and frustrating and real elements. Thank you darlin'
This is the best articulation on this topic that I have ever read. When I had an apparel brand, I dealt with copycats all the time, sometimes in ways wild and weird (including one instance where someone copied my pattern, sold it as their own, and grew an audience so big that one of their fans accused me of copying her). I was told I had to fight every instance to retain rights to my original work in the murky IP space of fashion, but at a certain point I just stopped. It made me feel awful, and like the wrong energy was taking center stage. In the end I came to precisely the attitude you so beautifully share here regarding the finite nature of copied work. They may take, but you create. There will always be more, you will continue to create, evolve, grow. Copies are a one off though, and if that’s your only fuel, you will soon be running on empty.
"And so the job is not to police my art once I’ve released it. The job is to make the work, and to fiercely protect what fuels my desire to keep doing it.” This!
I used to get punk-rock mad, wrapped around the axel of other people’s crazy cars, my ego up around my ears about people imitating my work. Now, I try to remember that there’s enough for everyone and my job is to just keep creating.
When I was about halfway through writing my book, a well published and respected author announced her book with similar themes to mine. At first I panicked and thought, "Well, there goes my book down the toilet." Then I thought, "Is that true?" My book is about Earth, sure. And it dives deep into grief. But my book is mine, and their book is theirs. I logged off social media for awhile after that, put my head down, and kept writing. I'm glad I did.
The, negative space, complexity, composition and naïve charm you’ve established as the nature of your work, mystifies me again and again.. I feel inspired by your rawness. Sometimes a piece of yours might pop into my head in the studio and, to me, the philosophies conveyed by structure and expression, help me understand my own work, not the actual words or design.
It’s undeniable, the heights you’ve climbed and how far you’d go to feed your muse—has me tipping my hat to that level of professionalism. It seems not many want to dig the way you do, and in lieu, insufferable desire to be liked impedes their understanding of how to climb the tree to pat their own’ on the head.
In a way, madness seems to fuel your compassion and people deserve credit where it’s due, especially today, when it’s easier than ever to be a phony. I feel like the impunity for not giving credit, whether in a published book, a newsletter, is like diving into a pool of crocodiles with a shirt that says, "don't eat me".
I’m neither artist or writer but have a copier in my life. It feels invasive, especially when this person refuses to compliment or acknowledge their interest and I see a mirrored image later on.
Fuck yes!!!! This is the healthiest perspective to have, I think. I’m off IG these days, but at the height of things I had quite the “influence” and this resulted in lots of theft, copycats, mimicry, etc. I used to get angry about it, but now I’ve come to realize that it just actually feels SO bad to feel bad, so why would I bother? As you point out, there’s no actual scarcity. We’re not fighting over mere morsels.
The recent drama that erupted here was, to me, yet another example of negative feelings spurring on more negative feelings, and soon everyone is in a whirlpool - and how that serves anyone involved is beyond me.
Wow, this is so timely to my experience as a person starting to really put their art out into the world. I found myself making art I hadn’t really seen before. I’d seen things in a similar vein of appreciation for our subject matter but I strived to develop my own style. Your reflection about the joy of creating really resonates with me. I absolutely needed to read this article.
What a generous and wise way to hold this reality. It translates to so many areas of life in which we’re striving for connection and validation. Thank you for this reminder. 💗
I'm an embroidery artist and have had some copycats over the years. I definitely agree that they're not fuelling their own creativity by doing this, and it's telling that I'm still making 6 years into this art form when many of them have let their art fall by the wayside. I'm not saying that to be petty, but I think it's an example of how copying won't nurture your own, innate abilities to create art.
Yesssssss!
Twenty years ago, I published a single panel cartoon with the caption, Thinking Outside the Bachs'. It featured Bach and his wife at a large window, and outside was the statue of "The Thinker." A year later, the caption was one of the answers in a clever New York Times Sunday crossword. This moment of laughter taught me that, yes, we get caught up in the Self, but in reality, humanity is one brain full of creative urgency and the desire to upgrade existence. I live by aphorisms, one of them being, "The artist is looking only for what he can use." Art is a hive effort. Don't let the needs of the Self trip you up.
I love this - your words, thoughtfulness, reference to EG's Big Magic... just tackling the whole shebang in all its awkward and frustrating and real elements. Thank you darlin'
Thanks for reading 🩷
This is the best articulation on this topic that I have ever read. When I had an apparel brand, I dealt with copycats all the time, sometimes in ways wild and weird (including one instance where someone copied my pattern, sold it as their own, and grew an audience so big that one of their fans accused me of copying her). I was told I had to fight every instance to retain rights to my original work in the murky IP space of fashion, but at a certain point I just stopped. It made me feel awful, and like the wrong energy was taking center stage. In the end I came to precisely the attitude you so beautifully share here regarding the finite nature of copied work. They may take, but you create. There will always be more, you will continue to create, evolve, grow. Copies are a one off though, and if that’s your only fuel, you will soon be running on empty.
"And so the job is not to police my art once I’ve released it. The job is to make the work, and to fiercely protect what fuels my desire to keep doing it.” This!
I used to get punk-rock mad, wrapped around the axel of other people’s crazy cars, my ego up around my ears about people imitating my work. Now, I try to remember that there’s enough for everyone and my job is to just keep creating.
When I was about halfway through writing my book, a well published and respected author announced her book with similar themes to mine. At first I panicked and thought, "Well, there goes my book down the toilet." Then I thought, "Is that true?" My book is about Earth, sure. And it dives deep into grief. But my book is mine, and their book is theirs. I logged off social media for awhile after that, put my head down, and kept writing. I'm glad I did.
Insightful 🙌 we talk of the same stuff so you are recommended to any one who subscribes to me!!!!👌let’s spread the word of the good
🩷🩷🩷
The, negative space, complexity, composition and naïve charm you’ve established as the nature of your work, mystifies me again and again.. I feel inspired by your rawness. Sometimes a piece of yours might pop into my head in the studio and, to me, the philosophies conveyed by structure and expression, help me understand my own work, not the actual words or design.
It’s undeniable, the heights you’ve climbed and how far you’d go to feed your muse—has me tipping my hat to that level of professionalism. It seems not many want to dig the way you do, and in lieu, insufferable desire to be liked impedes their understanding of how to climb the tree to pat their own’ on the head.
In a way, madness seems to fuel your compassion and people deserve credit where it’s due, especially today, when it’s easier than ever to be a phony. I feel like the impunity for not giving credit, whether in a published book, a newsletter, is like diving into a pool of crocodiles with a shirt that says, "don't eat me".
Grazie di tutto!
I love this so much. Thanks for writing
I’m neither artist or writer but have a copier in my life. It feels invasive, especially when this person refuses to compliment or acknowledge their interest and I see a mirrored image later on.
<3
Love your perspective on this. Thank you for sharing
Generosity, is all I could think when I was reading. What an expansive perspective. 🤍
🫂
Fuck yes!!!! This is the healthiest perspective to have, I think. I’m off IG these days, but at the height of things I had quite the “influence” and this resulted in lots of theft, copycats, mimicry, etc. I used to get angry about it, but now I’ve come to realize that it just actually feels SO bad to feel bad, so why would I bother? As you point out, there’s no actual scarcity. We’re not fighting over mere morsels.
The recent drama that erupted here was, to me, yet another example of negative feelings spurring on more negative feelings, and soon everyone is in a whirlpool - and how that serves anyone involved is beyond me.
Great piece, I’m a new big fan!
I’m so glad you’re here!
Wow, this is so timely to my experience as a person starting to really put their art out into the world. I found myself making art I hadn’t really seen before. I’d seen things in a similar vein of appreciation for our subject matter but I strived to develop my own style. Your reflection about the joy of creating really resonates with me. I absolutely needed to read this article.
Thank you for saying so
Absolutely beautiful and heartening read. Thank you for it!! Needed these reminders and this perspective today.