On 'inspiration.'
A very recent observation and discussion with a fellow artist brought up some thoughts I'd like to work through.
From time to time, we might find ourselves having created something strikingly similar to another artist's work without having meant to have done so. Or you may be browsing another artist's shop and have a "Hey! That looks a whole lot like my...." moment. For the most part, it's coincidence. After all, a lot of popular imagery-- birds, wings, hearts-- are popular specifically because they're universal. Themes (*CoughSteampunkCough*) become popular and inspire the masses. So, overlap happens. Believe me, it happens, and people talk about it, and then eventually things sort themselves out.
In the jewelry community, a lot of times overlap occurs because we are working from the same supplies, which can create some similarities. This makes innovation with common supplies even more laudable. For instance, have you seen what the supremely talented Kythryne of Wyrding Studios has been doing with electroplated leaves lately? Now, I work with electroplated leaves a lot, too, and when I saw these pieces, the first thing I thought was how wonderfully she had managed to make the element, to my knowledge, her own. Kyth has a style that's all her own that sets her apart from even other artist who wire wrap in a similar way. She clearly took pains to distinguish her take on electroplated leaves from the many other interpretations currently available on the market, and she did so in a way that made sense within the context of her brand.
As for me, I strive to make my finished products pieces that speak to me, uniquely, and also make sense within the context of my brand. Doing so takes a lot of effort, honestly, but it's worth it because my brand is, in essence, my livelihood and name. It's my ability to stock my fridge as well as my reputation in the community.
On the occasions where I purchase and use project books and tutorials by other artists to expand the scope of my work, I not only give credit where credit is due, but I also try to put my own mark on the finished product. For instance, in the Inara necklace was adapted from a pattern by Louise Jeremich, which was published in a jewelry inspirations book that I own. When I made my version, I changed the silhouette to a deep V instead of a wavier one. I changed the necklace from a two strand to one to fit the new silhouette. I changed the arrangement of some of the spirals. I added my own embellishments. And in the end, I still gave credit for the use of the tutorial which inspired me, despite the fact that the two finished products look, to my eye, different. I am satisfied that the piece not only reflects the techniques and design of its originator, but also my own artistic voice and modifications.
(This is not to say that copying directly from a tutorial is bad and that I'm above it or anything-- if that artist is giving you the permission to use their finished design with proper credit, that is totally okay and honest.)
That said, in such a tightly-knit and supportive artistic community, I continually find myself evaluating my work in the context of the bigger picture. I am constantly striving to find ways to expand the scope of my work without being derivative of others' work. I would never attempt to imitate another artist's finished product without their informed consent. For all that I love Kyth's work, if I took my admiration of her style and then tried to wire wrap those leaves in the exact same way, I am not only invalidating the work that she has put in to make her pieces reflect her artistic voice, but I may also be taking money out of her pocket as the result of my derivation. This directly impacts her livelihood. Obviously, this is a problem, however innocent and well-intended it may be.
With this in mind, I think we could all stand to think a little more about our own voices and evaluate how strongly our work is influenced by the work of others, and how it may affect those from whom we draw our "inspiration." There are certainly times wherein imitation is not the sincerest form of flattery.
Ultimately, I have adopted the words of the lovely Judy Garland as my mantra:
"Be a first rate version of yourself, not a second rate version of someone else."
It may have become a cliche, but it is still so, so true.
From time to time, we might find ourselves having created something strikingly similar to another artist's work without having meant to have done so. Or you may be browsing another artist's shop and have a "Hey! That looks a whole lot like my...." moment. For the most part, it's coincidence. After all, a lot of popular imagery-- birds, wings, hearts-- are popular specifically because they're universal. Themes (*CoughSteampunkCough*) become popular and inspire the masses. So, overlap happens. Believe me, it happens, and people talk about it, and then eventually things sort themselves out.
In the jewelry community, a lot of times overlap occurs because we are working from the same supplies, which can create some similarities. This makes innovation with common supplies even more laudable. For instance, have you seen what the supremely talented Kythryne of Wyrding Studios has been doing with electroplated leaves lately? Now, I work with electroplated leaves a lot, too, and when I saw these pieces, the first thing I thought was how wonderfully she had managed to make the element, to my knowledge, her own. Kyth has a style that's all her own that sets her apart from even other artist who wire wrap in a similar way. She clearly took pains to distinguish her take on electroplated leaves from the many other interpretations currently available on the market, and she did so in a way that made sense within the context of her brand.
As for me, I strive to make my finished products pieces that speak to me, uniquely, and also make sense within the context of my brand. Doing so takes a lot of effort, honestly, but it's worth it because my brand is, in essence, my livelihood and name. It's my ability to stock my fridge as well as my reputation in the community.
On the occasions where I purchase and use project books and tutorials by other artists to expand the scope of my work, I not only give credit where credit is due, but I also try to put my own mark on the finished product. For instance, in the Inara necklace was adapted from a pattern by Louise Jeremich, which was published in a jewelry inspirations book that I own. When I made my version, I changed the silhouette to a deep V instead of a wavier one. I changed the necklace from a two strand to one to fit the new silhouette. I changed the arrangement of some of the spirals. I added my own embellishments. And in the end, I still gave credit for the use of the tutorial which inspired me, despite the fact that the two finished products look, to my eye, different. I am satisfied that the piece not only reflects the techniques and design of its originator, but also my own artistic voice and modifications.
(This is not to say that copying directly from a tutorial is bad and that I'm above it or anything-- if that artist is giving you the permission to use their finished design with proper credit, that is totally okay and honest.)
That said, in such a tightly-knit and supportive artistic community, I continually find myself evaluating my work in the context of the bigger picture. I am constantly striving to find ways to expand the scope of my work without being derivative of others' work. I would never attempt to imitate another artist's finished product without their informed consent. For all that I love Kyth's work, if I took my admiration of her style and then tried to wire wrap those leaves in the exact same way, I am not only invalidating the work that she has put in to make her pieces reflect her artistic voice, but I may also be taking money out of her pocket as the result of my derivation. This directly impacts her livelihood. Obviously, this is a problem, however innocent and well-intended it may be.
With this in mind, I think we could all stand to think a little more about our own voices and evaluate how strongly our work is influenced by the work of others, and how it may affect those from whom we draw our "inspiration." There are certainly times wherein imitation is not the sincerest form of flattery.
Ultimately, I have adopted the words of the lovely Judy Garland as my mantra:
It may have become a cliche, but it is still so, so true.