Doing the right thing not the easy thing.

Yesterday I was shocked when I saw a post and senior Artists were saying it is ok to copy and use other peoples images, what kind of role model for younger Artists is that?

Now I understand why they have stalled careers and lack any kind of original thought.

I am constantly amazed every time I speak or write about copying other peoples Art or reproducing copies of your own sold Art, or copying the masters and calling it a fancy name, there are so many mature Artists who want to defend this practice as right, when it is not.

People get upset when I call copying others Artists images and reproducing your own sold Art as factory work but that is what it is.

I have fancy words thrown at me to justify copying, like

“ iterations “ it means, “the repetition of a process or utterance.”

So again I am bewildered at why these Artists defend a wrong practice.

It is like the word abattoir which is the polite way of saying slaughterhouse, but it does not change what is happening in the place.

We can use fancy words to excuse bad practice but it is still bad practice.

Yes it is true that the Artist retains ownership of the image they create and they have the right to do what they want with it.

They can if they choose to make copies, we now use fancy words so it sounds more acceptable, but if an Artist is claiming to be selling original Art work then they have a moral obligation to do so.

I am sure most collectors that I know would not respond kindly if they found that the paintings that they bought as an original Art work was in fact a copy of the original painting or a copy of someone else’ s painting.

We as Artist must strive for excellence in our profession, and excellence does not start with those other Artists it starts with us personally first.

We must choose excellence first in our Art careers and create original work and be the best Artist and the best person that we can be.

Our good name and reputation as Artists is very important and we must do all we can to protect it.

Ancient text says, “A good reputation is more desirable than great wealth.”

Have original thought and create new original work.