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puppetmaker(Insert Your X-Factor Joke here)
Peter is back and then went out again to do his reading and signing with Coheed and Cambria last night so Caroline got to see him for a grand total of 15 minutes. I think she will be attached to him at the hip once she gets home from school today until she has to go to bed. But it is all good since we are going to a convention together this weekend. (Anyone else going to C2E2?)
Right now I am having a program go through and find out how many duplicate files I have. I seem to have 2 copies of about 2 years worth of stuff on the hard drive which is eating up a lot of space that I need to be able to use the computer. I have no idea other than maybe it was backing up on itself but this is really a pain in the hard drive.
It is amazing to me how often the same subject comes up among totally different groups/types of artists at the same time. And how someone else will sum up what you wanted to say so well to these other people. First I suggest you read Russell Dickerson’s article Why the hell would I help you? You’ll steal all my ideas (Warning there is slightly strong language in the piece).
I agree with Mr. Dickerson. Anything anyone else has shown me or taught me, I am more than willing to teach others. And anything I figure out on my own, I am willing to do the same. Yeah, there are people who are going to take what I teach them and outstrip me in terms of their talent and ability, but I do take pride in that I taught them how to do that. I feel like one of my purposes on this planet is to teach and educate people about puppetry. To create new fans and participants in the art form. There are artists who guard how they do something almost like dragons guarding their horde. It’s theirs and only theirs and heaven forefend if you happen to stumble, on your own, how to do the same thing. For the Dragon will come after you with breath ablaze and wings flapping. Which I find kind of sad.
Note I said I will teach you how I do it but I still believe that straight copying is a no-no. If someone started making critters just like mine to the point that others believe them to be mine, then I would be a little put off. There are things about my puppets that are generic and there are a couple of things that makes them a KOD puppet. If you copy another’s art and then recolor it and call it yours, then you are doing a disservice to yourself as an artist and to the original artist’s work as well. I know that if I use the techniques that Wendy Froud taught me, my doll is going to have some of the same workings but the doll is going to be totally different than what she or even Toby has made. I have gotten to the point that I can tell a Toby doll from a Wendy doll although they are similar. But I wouldn’t try to copy Wendy’s work because that is her work and her ideas and I have plenty of my own. I guess there is a fine line between learning and copying.
I am grateful for everyone who has taught me how to be a better artist/puppeteer.
Peter is back and then went out again to do his reading and signing with Coheed and Cambria last night so Caroline got to see him for a grand total of 15 minutes. I think she will be attached to him at the hip once she gets home from school today until she has to go to bed. But it is all good since we are going to a convention together this weekend. (Anyone else going to C2E2?)
Right now I am having a program go through and find out how many duplicate files I have. I seem to have 2 copies of about 2 years worth of stuff on the hard drive which is eating up a lot of space that I need to be able to use the computer. I have no idea other than maybe it was backing up on itself but this is really a pain in the hard drive.
It is amazing to me how often the same subject comes up among totally different groups/types of artists at the same time. And how someone else will sum up what you wanted to say so well to these other people. First I suggest you read Russell Dickerson’s article Why the hell would I help you? You’ll steal all my ideas (Warning there is slightly strong language in the piece).
I agree with Mr. Dickerson. Anything anyone else has shown me or taught me, I am more than willing to teach others. And anything I figure out on my own, I am willing to do the same. Yeah, there are people who are going to take what I teach them and outstrip me in terms of their talent and ability, but I do take pride in that I taught them how to do that. I feel like one of my purposes on this planet is to teach and educate people about puppetry. To create new fans and participants in the art form. There are artists who guard how they do something almost like dragons guarding their horde. It’s theirs and only theirs and heaven forefend if you happen to stumble, on your own, how to do the same thing. For the Dragon will come after you with breath ablaze and wings flapping. Which I find kind of sad.
Note I said I will teach you how I do it but I still believe that straight copying is a no-no. If someone started making critters just like mine to the point that others believe them to be mine, then I would be a little put off. There are things about my puppets that are generic and there are a couple of things that makes them a KOD puppet. If you copy another’s art and then recolor it and call it yours, then you are doing a disservice to yourself as an artist and to the original artist’s work as well. I know that if I use the techniques that Wendy Froud taught me, my doll is going to have some of the same workings but the doll is going to be totally different than what she or even Toby has made. I have gotten to the point that I can tell a Toby doll from a Wendy doll although they are similar. But I wouldn’t try to copy Wendy’s work because that is her work and her ideas and I have plenty of my own. I guess there is a fine line between learning and copying.
I am grateful for everyone who has taught me how to be a better artist/puppeteer.
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no subject
Date: 2010-04-15 12:29 am (UTC)Just wanted to say that I don't understand how people can carry on about the whole "stealing my ideas" thing... Knowledge is meant to be shared, IMHO - it's meant to expand freely and enrich many. It's not something to be hoarded jealously. Maybe that's why those who hoard are not among the more successful in their crafts...
BTW, your puppets show the generosity of spirit and playful heart you put into them. I'm looking forward to seeing them and hopefully meeting you this year at DragonCon. (I missed you a couple of times last year.)