There’s an old quote by Oscar Wilde that some seem to have forgotten –
Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.
I read that and I think, “Well duh? Who doesn’t know that?” But apparently, some people don’t. I won’t name names because I refuse to give traffic to this guys blog but recently, Jennifer Garant was … well, was she supposed to be flattered? Let’s just call it what it is, ripped off.
This guy on the internet did a series of Santa paintings based on the style of others – naming each. This is what he said about his Jennifer Garant wanna-be art:
This Santa was done in the style of one masterful licensed woman colloquially described as “that chef artist”, Jennifer Garant. Her stuff is all over the place, her style and subject matter continue to be popular. I personally would really, REALLY enjoy her art if it weren’t so widely seen, (how then would I view Maxfield Parrish if I were living during his commercial art reign?), or at least play up on other themes beside chef art, Parisian living, etc.
In fact, maybe she DOES do a lot of other stuff, possibly as a separate gallery artist persona, and I wouldn’t doubt it. However- and BIll Watterson is high fiving himself somewhere in open range Ohio- that’s what you get when you turn to licensing your work out- the inevitability of over-exposure. That can help or hinder an artist. I’m not saying either case is true for Jennifer, and I could let her Swiss bank account speak for itself, but I will say this….
HER CHEFS WEAR CHUCK TAYLORS, YO!!!!
So first he says she’s a sell-out, then says that she’s over-exposed, yet he copies her and wants people to PAY HIM for his sad attempt at being her!
I’m sorry – this really irritates me.
Even if he is just sharing his study of various artists’ techniques, which is apparently a common exercise, it seems to be in very bad form to bad mouth the artist, then want to profit off of it, especially if said artist is alive, well and trying to make a living!
Is any press, good press? Is copying the best form of flattery? In this case, I don’t think so. Not when your business and hard work is at stake. It’s demoralizing, annoying and an energy drain. Jennifer said she’s had to sue 12 manufacturers for copyright infringement and was told by a few that they just budget for that sort of thing – they just wander about using other people’s art and hope they don’t get caught. But if they do, well, they have some lawyer money in reserve so don’t worry about them.
This isn’t the only person this has happened to of course. Many others, both in and out of art licensing, have complained about it. Why would an artist want to be a “me too” artist and not an original? I don’t want to be “the next best thing to Jennifer Garant” – the second choice if she won’t license to them – I want to be myself.
Early on in my art licensing career a small gift manufacturer (I had never heard of them and don’t remember who they are) asked me to basically knock off Jim Shore. Were they crazy? For one thing, he already exists and has a very successful business – probably with more reserve cash to sue me than I’d have to defend myself too. And how could I defend myself? It just wasn’t right so I simply said “No thank you. That’s not what I do. This is my art and style – are you interested?” They weren’t, we parted ways and that was the end of it.
Of course artists will do similar themes and some people’s art might remind people of another person’s art. Paul Brent isn’t the only one painting coastal scenes and Jennifer Garant isn’t the only one painting chefs. But they have a unique style and look that they have worked hard to create, perfect and put into the market place. So if you want to do chefs too – do your own style because guess what, Jennifer’s is taken and she’s tired of of the free press and flattery.
If we can’t support each other and celebrate what we each bring to the world as artists and the industry of licensing, who will?
Let’s also remember the sage advice of Thumper – the rabbit from the Disney movie Bambi,
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Be yourself, create with integrity and watch your karma! Sorry – I simply had to rant about this a bit… feel free to add your comments.
Here’s to your creative success!
– Tara Reed
Sorry to read that this happened and happens! So many artists fear being copied and apparently there’s a cavalier attitude among the less honorable, wanna-be artists and dollar-focused manufacturers.
As usual Tara, you provide the information we need to hear and learn from.
Absolutely love the Thumper video example 😉 which delightfully reminds us to focus on the positive!
Great Post Tara! When I was at Surtex last year I was approached by a manufacturer, who also happened to have their warehouses/production facilities within an hour of where I lived and they were Really interested in my art. Well, I met with the owner shortly after returning home from the show where he took me on a tour of all the facilities and it was very impressive and seemed like a great company to work with, they also do print work for some Very famous living artists.
He told me he was very interested in my Diva’s and cityscapes but he also told me he would like to see a line of “black art” from me, something to do with music. I didn’t have any at the time, but immediately went home and painted a jazz singer with a cityscape background, in MY own style. Well, I sent him an e-mail with a photo of the painting attached to see if it was on the right track for what he was looking for. He called and said he liked it, but he wanted me to go and research some other artists who do “black art” and to copy THEIR exact style, I said I only work in MY style and that was the end of that association.
It really flabbergasted me that someone would come right out and tell me to copy other artists work!! I know it happens, but it’s just so sad that is occurs as often as it does.
I can feel my blood boiling as I read this. I call it ” I can do that too syndrome” and all original artists will have a leech or three doing that. It amazes me how the copycat demeans his source of inspiration, he goes on to make a crappy copy, just because he can and wants to be paid for it. First, if your source of inspiration isn’t worth it, then why “flatter” them with a plagarized piece? Second, why would any one buy a knock off, ILLEGAL copy when they can just buy the original? Thirdly, just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. Stick with what you know, and what this guys should know is being himself.
Great post. I’m with you. I think “Well, duh” too. From time to time I’ve been asked by manufacturers to “knock off” another artist (of course they don’t call it that, they ask for art ‘in the style of’ so and so or something like that), anyway . . . I run screaming away.
A specific idea or style cannot be copyrighted. A specific work, yes, but not an idea or style. All the continuous moaning about “she stole my idea!” coming from the “craftier style” artists, gets a little irritating, too.
Very true – but there comes a point where a similar style becomes a bit TOO close to the work of others – as was the case here.
Wow, incredulous story and what a great post! The world is full of wonderful people, but every now and again a jack-a@% reminds us that there are a few bad apples, too.
But, I always say, the jack-a@$ don’t make the decisions for how to run my art business – I do. And I try not to let them bother me too much when they talk about stupid ideas like “over-exposure” (it’s like, can you be over-exposed or too skinny or too rich? No!)
Re: knocking off other artists: there was a guy hired by a manufacturer to knock of my husband’s art. A couple years later we ran into him at the License Show in NY. We both had booths there. He came up and apologized. My husband just said, “No worries. Your copy of my art didn’t look good anyway. Everyone knows it’s not mine!”
It takes a certain breed of person to knock off someone else’s artwork.
Amen Tara! I couldn’t agree more. I’m currently being “flattered” by having unauthorized/illegal copies of my westie art appearing in MAJOR department stores on pajamas. The situation is currently in the hands of the attorneys but that hasn’t lessened my fury over the matter… Especially when ALL anyone ever has to do is ASK me and make me a licensing offer and it very likely could be an honest/legitimate arrangement.
Ugh! I’m so sorry this is happening to you… best of luck!
Replying to S: Basically, if the copied “style” causes obvious consumer confusion – It’s INFRINGEMENT
I had my identity stolen a few years ago. That alone was a nightmare. I can’t imagine anyone abusing someone’s art like that! I pray Kim’s situation gets resolved quickly and in her favor!