Today….I’m gonna talk to Y’all about the creative process….no pictures….just words.
Yesterday I was visiting with a dear….very creative friend of mine (Cheryl Lewis). I was telling her how certain members of my family just didn’t “get it”….She’s really creative in her own right….and when she tells me something….I really respect it. She inspired me to write this.
Many people….go out….shop….and realize the value of artwork. These folks usually have a fair bit of talent themselves…and know what goes into most pieces of art. For anyone who dosen’t realize it (talented or not, and I believe EVERYONE has a talent!!!)….let me explain….
When looking at art….try to look a little deeper than how simple it looks…..look at all the parts…pieces…paint and supplies involved…not to mention the time it took to do all the work. Artists of ANYKIND have to search…find…and haul home all the components and sometimes wait on the other components to show up. We work hard in the heat…in the cold and all times in between to come up with our artwork….not to mention….the most important portion….our minds.
The mind is the part that most people don’t understand….or VALUE!!!!!
When you copy someone’s art….you’re STEALING….no other way to say it….it’s THEFT!!!….now…don’t misunderstand me inspiration is one thing….copying verbatim is another. In photography and art on paper, music and many other arts…there are copyright laws in existence to protect them….pitiful….but it does exist. That’s because it is WRONG!!!
Enough of that soapbox…..my point….the next time you’re looking at things that people have created…think about the hours spent combing places….that includes the gas to get there…and back. The time spent dragging it home….cleaning it…repairing it…and focusing on what it needs to become…whether it’s changes purpose…or just gets redecorated. The expense of the supplies used. Then try to imagine how much time it took….LITERALLY!!! Now….add all that up…Take that price….add rent on a building….or booth….and the time it might spend there. Take what that piece costs and subtract what you think those supplies, gas, rent, and tools cost…..then divide what’s left by what amount of time you think it took that person to do all the above….usually it’s less that $2-3 bucks an hour..IF THAT!!!! Then answer these questions…..
1. Would I appreciate being paid that hourly wage for my time?
2. Would I like people to come along and try to steal my job?….or get paid for my work?
3. Would I like someone to take something I worked hard to accomplish?
4. Do I really want to get paint under my fingernails? Grease in my hair? ruin my clothes? and scratch up my vehicle to drag something home?
5. Can I find that same something anywhere…and all the components….and supplies, labor and time for the cost?
Probably NO to everyone of them!
I’m not judging anyone…..just food for thought!
Love Y’all!!!
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