Bad and The Worst (Part II, The Worst)

So this brings us to part II of my blog about unoriginality.  Let me start by saying this, everyone makes mistakes when they are first starting out.  This list comes from personal experience.  I've been both the offender and the accuser. When I first started writing music, I had no experience to draw from, so I just copied from people I admired.  Looking back, I think it was fairly evident which bands I was copying from, and it usually is in most cases.  Before you are able to develop your own style, more than likely you will have to imitate someone you look up to.  That is fine.  BUT THIS ISN'T THE RIGHT TIME TO BE SELLING YOUR WORK!!!  In fact, one of Elsie's favorite painter recommended giving away your first 100 paintings.  Ok.  Here are six signs that you are part of The Worst:

1. You've copied another artist so closely, that you're embarrassed to admit that you're a fan.

2. You're defensive about the subject of plagiarism.

3. Instead of journaling, sketching, or demo-ing new ideas, you usually default to looking at other people's work when you need an idea.  You use their work as "inspiration", then make subtle changes at the end hoping no one will notice.

4. You realize that all of the work that you are most proud of relied heavily on the inspiration of another person's work.

5.  You've already prepared a rebuttal in your mind ahead of time for when someone "calls you out".  This could include memorizing the technicalities of how your work differs from the original.

6.  Your friends say, "Your work reminds me of _______", and the answer is always the same.

No one really ever admits to wrongdoing these days.  I can't imagine that there is anyone out there that is reading this that would actually say, "He's right, and this is something I need to correct".  That's fine.  But if the above applies to you, I would just like to tell you that you are not an artist, and you should know that.  But today would be a great day to become one.  

I think this is a very important subject for artists trying to succeed in the internet age.  Please feel free to repost this list on your blog or website.  I hope it helps.

Thanks for reading.

Jeremy

Comments

[RACHEL DENBOW (Teacher)]

Oh man, this was deeply satisfying to read. Thank you for broaching the topic and voicing something that has been such a frustration as of late.

p.s. I hope the girls saved you some pie. ;)

[Toni Brockliss]

This was a really good couple of posts to read Jeremy.
When I first started blogging I would post pictures on my blog not for once thinking that I had to credit the source. I just had no idea. Sometimes it's a learned way of thinking and not something that you actually know. That by not crediting you are in fact stealing.
That's why I will never have an etsy store. I have had a banner set up for nearly a year but I am not original enough to have an idea of my very own, and until that happens, the store will be empty.

[Zelda was a writer]

last month at sea, I was about to photograph a small, funny Italian van called APE (a traveling van that sold beautiful clothes).
its owner is running toward me saying no, I couldn’t: too many people were copying it! the lady then showed me the end of that street and in fact there was a van like hers, that sold the same clothes. In the distance could be the same, but a little closer you could understand the difference. The first one were alive, the second was incomplete, pending.
In that moment I thought the fear of being copied, led the woman to protect rather than to produce other beautiful things.

Everyone begins becoming increasingly inspired by something or someone. if artistic creation also goes through the things we hate, more so those we love have a high weight in the whole project!! but then there's your mood, your soul, your cultural background. and your outcome becomes something else: it becomes who you are.
I myself started this blog (not a great artistic expression, in fact. but a fun opportunity to communicate) to create a small Frankenstein of what I loved. I realize now, now that it has grown and is an expression of my deepest, truest being. of course, still relies on what I like. but first of all on my mindset.

I think Americans are more aware of this: in the italian thoughts disclose their sources is equivalent to impoverish themselves, to lose something, to lose audience. would be nice to understand and realize that the garden grow better if there are more loving hands who work on it ...

other thing: the copy machine suffers from a crucial moment: the meeting. The meeting between the creator and the idea is something not reproducible. The shock, the crash, the hard definition of what is taking place through the air, our feelings, our sleepless nights... they are unique!

Sure, plagiarism and shameless copying are real. There is a lack of rigor. (In Italy often photos of others are used without indicating the source... imagine what may be of interest to conceal what has inspired!)
I work in the golden world of ideas. quite different context than yours, but the substance does not change.
in those particular moments when your energy is sucked without a thanks, my partner tells me to remember the power of our ideas. what ultimately makes the difference is to be tireless engines, full of wonder insights and projects. This is ultimately what moves Elsie and should not worry about it (although I do not think that she is concerned about it). This is ultimately what moves me and my dreams.
interesting post!
thanks and sorry for the length of the intervention.

[Sofía]

I live in a country in which this happens every day. If you take a deep look into the things that need to have some sort of "inspiration" or "artistic value" you'll realise that everything is a copy from a copy of someone who's already copying someone else. And it's the same equation for everything: DIY and handmade stuff, music, design, photography, art in general... The most shocking thing of it is that everybody seems to love and enjoy this passive theft of ideas and massive production of "one of a kind" copied stuff.

Good blog, Jeremy!

[skunkboy]

One year we were planning a trip to New York and I was going to visit my all-time plush hero Lauri Faggioni's store 'Lake'. I can't tell you how excited I was, because, like I said, she was my hero. Before the trip came upon us, her shop closed down. In addition to wanting to pursue more film work, she was finding more and more and more people copying her work and then undercutting her in price, and decided it wasn't worth it anymore. They weren't only stealing her business, but they were stealing all the heart and imagination she was pouring into her creations. Saddest day ever.

[LydiaJoy.]

Thank you so much for posting this. You posted what needed to be said in a very encouraging and thought provoking way. It seems that in many fields this is what is currently going on. I know that in my classes they are practically begging people to stop plagiarism. The professors all seem to be very hurt by those who have plagiarized.

One of my favorite photographers is someone who seems to be copied a lot. His photos are beautiful. So stunning. And most are truly iconic. But I know a photographer who copies this one and then changes things just a touch. But if the well-known, world renowned photographer were to find out, he has the right and ability to take legal action.

It just makes me so sad. We are all inspired by someone else. We will always have inspiration. But it doesn't mean we have to directly copy and steal. I think it is important for people to say who their inspiration is.

[Coralene]

With this list, Owl City is officially "the worst".

[Brittany]

Love this post! Being a young photographer this is really encouraging and I would love to share this with my young artistic friends! Its important to find out who you are and incorporate it into what you do. :D

Thanks for the list!

-Brittany

Coralene, I AGREE!!

[Lily]

This is a good post Jeremy. They say that imitation is the highest form of flattery, but I've come to believe that it is actually the laziest form of 'self' expression. Trends are set by inspiration of something previously seen we should all know that, and there is really nothing wrong with that, it's when we make those "subtle changes" and call it our own. Even in writing. In colleges you get kicked out, not out of the class but out of the school for any form of plagiarism.

I admit there are many who have inspired me over the years, I hope I have always given credit where credit is due. And I pray that I have never "tweaked" anything

[Branna]

I just wanted to say you addressed a touchy subject tastefully and with class. Hopefully this will stimulate some thinking and bring about some changes.

[Charles]

I approve your point about how mimicking music does not make one an artist. I believe art 'emerges' when you suggest something new. I can be a new perspective on something old. Or a unique blend of already existing material. But nonetheless, it has to feel 'new' and eloquent in a contrasting way.

(I've a very short and concise essay on this subject, if anyone is curious to read on what might constitute 'art'; then feel free to msg me).

[penny]

I find it weird that you would post about this, for years I have thought that your girlfriend has ripped of the ideas of other craft artists and used them for inspiration without ever giving any credit. example your girlfriend bought this kit of etsy http://www.etsy.com/transaction/5254584 and then she started making her own very similar kits to sell also on etsy
http://www.etsy.com/transaction/9418522
I have seen this multiple times on her blog and thought to myself I have seen that before, Just a thought.

[Colin]

"But if the above applies to you, I would just like to tell you that you are not an artist, and you should know that."

I think you should take your own advice Jeremy.

And who are you to tell people they are not artists? Are you some supreme knowledge wielding hipster who can dictate whether people are 'artists' or not? Everything comes from something else.

If you don't believe so, here is an excercise:

Close your eyes and imagine yourself in the Wild West. Imagine the surroundings and the people you would meet. Imagine all the things that would happen to you. Imagine how people would talk to you.

Now open your eyes.

Take a piece of paper and divide it into two columns. One column is original thoughts that came from you, and the other column is things you have been exposed to believe the Wild West would have been like. Things such as TV, movies, and media in general.

How is that list coming along?

Please don't pass judgement on others or their process for creativity.

Everything is progress. Progress is everything.

[Jeremy]

Ha! I love it! Thank you for this. Glad I could stir up some thoughtful/emotional discussion on here. I knew this blog could be useful for something... Some people agree with me, and others don't. But there's probably no need to take things personally, unless of course you think this personally applies to you. If you think this requires further discussion, you can always email me, or better yet, start your own blog about what an ass I am. I promise I won't interfere. But arguing in the comment section of a blog is so "Youtube".

[Teresa]

Wow. I totally get it. There is so much inspiration out there in the net. I have been crafting since forever and its so easy to say "Oh, I can do that" but of course only for myself. Its so easy for people in the art world just to take an idea and sent it off as there own. It is sad if the "artist" has no spirit and an idea about art/crafts that they have to copy every detail.
Now the question (of corse just in theory): Can you forgive? Or be upset forever and be scared that someone steals your idea?
Karma Baby, Karma. It gets everyone sooner or later. trust me.

If you plagiarize others' techniques, you steel their emotions and tell your spectators a lie with your work. Works as such equal zero. (Wu Guan-Zhong)

[Sherry]

Jeremy I just wanted to say that this post really struck a nerve with me. Look at yourself, dear. Your music sounds like the majority of "indie" music out right now and quite frankly, i could produce a song very similar to one of yours on my mac without musical knowledge of any kind. I am not saying that you "ripped anyone off", trends come and go and thats what you are, a trend. and so is your girlfriend. there is nothing wrong with that its a form of art, of expressing yourself and your able to make money doing it. kudos! I just think you shouldnt point fingers. Everyone including you, princess, gets inspiration from someone.

[Megan Anderson]

Jeremy,

You rock my socks off.

[Sage]

J & I think you and Elsie are the bee's knees.