Reading a fellow artist's Facebook page the other day, there was a commenter who asked some specific questions about the process of how this artist's pieces were constructed. When they were given a humorously avoidant answer, they responded by basically saying this person was being selfish for not answering their question, because they thought it was the right thing to do to "help others learn".
Which made me wonder - why is it that so many seem to assume that artists and craftspeople are obligated to teach others the knowledge that they have gained?
I'm not saying that reaching out and asking questions or finding friends who do similar things is bad - it certainly is not, and a lot of the things that I learned came from my heavy activity in a lively soapmaking forum, where members get to know each other, and share helpful tips and opinions. It makes us all better.
But to ask direct questions and expect direct answers, and then act offended and a bit belittling when you don't get it? That's ridiculous. Artists are businesspeople. We make things, sell things, and use that money to pay the mortgage. It's a business. When I worked as a commercial designer, part of the contract I signed before I was hired stated that I was not to share company ideas or processes with non-employees. Nobody bats an eyelash at that, because after all, that's business! But when an individual artist - who has personally more at stake if trade secrets are shared - declines to give step by step instructions, materials sources, or how-to's, they're treated as if they are being stingy or pompous.
Having a unique identity as an artist or craftsperson is one of the most absolutely critical elements of defining oneself in the market. I have had more than my fair share of thinking I was "just being nice, and helping someone learn", and sharing my information, only to see them biting my style or copying my products a month later.
It actually makes me sad that I can't share more, because I LOVE to talk shop and share ideas with like-minded people. It's fun to me, and exciting. But I've been bitten back too many times now, and it takes a much more developed relationship for me to talk much like that anymore.
So artists and artisans, don't feel bad if you don't want to share information. You can politely decline. And for the inquirers, please don't take offense. The handmade game is a tough one to play and every little edge counts. It's hard enough to get your voice above the din of the crowd without the fear of being "paid homage to" a little too closely.
Thoughts?
17 comments:
Good read! I often get asked how to do things. And for the most part I have answered all of them. But even myself have some ways of doing things that people constantly ask and it's info I don't share. I think when it comes down to something that your doing and others aren't that's info you want to keep. I know of one instance that me explaining how I did something came back to bite me cause that person took it and created something very similar. And then denied it all.
But for the most part I enjoy seeing people create art and express themselves. So as long as it's not something that's going to hurt me or lower my art I am fine sharing what I know. But for the most part people just need to try it. I'm 100% self taught and with practice you can do it.
In my opinion, this is a poor attitude to have in life. You state that nobody held your hand while learning but you found your information somewhere. Google, books, and especially forums are made up of individuals who share their knowledge with others. Without the kindness of others you would have had a much harder time learning what you know now. I fully agree that you are by no means obligated to share your knowledge. It's your choice to be one of the many who pass along the knowledge with generosity or grasp hold with fear.
First of all, thanks for commenting, guys. I wanted to open a dialogue, and that's great.
I don't think that protecting the techniques, information, and ideas I have spent the last decade of my life working on is a bad attitude at all. Of course forums are for sharing, and I even talked about that in my post, I've been a member of a few. I greatly appreciate all the people who have helped me, and I have helped them as well. In fact, I really *enjoy* helping people learn. But there is a real problem that I see with what seems to be a big slice of people who assume that just because I know/do something, it's my obligation to share it with them, and that I'm somehow "not playing fair" if I choose not to.
Nothing is a secret. Google for an hour and you can learn a huge deal about whatever topic you are interested in. But don't ask the jewelry designer where she gets her stones, her metal, and to give you some tips on how you can do the same thing. That's just presumptuous, don't you think?
I think the internet has given us all this endemic attitude of "everything that exists, exists for me". Having to figure some stuff out on your own never killed anybody. And no, I definitely did not have anybody guiding me and feeding me information as I built my business. I'm not going to make it out to be an "uphill both ways, barefoot" kind of thing, but I made a crapload of mistakes, spent A LOT of money making those mistakes, and spent immeasurable hours finding information on my own. I was not part of any learning forums while I was initially learning how to make and do these things. Of course it would have been awesome for somebody to just tell me what to do and how to do it, but I certainly never expected that, or went out of my way to ask.
I think you already know that I agree with you 100% on this.
I lend myself to a lot of people when they show an actual effort in seeking out the information. But I think you're right about the sense of entitlement that everything is for everyone just because it exists. We all worked very hard to get to where we are and the world of the internet HAS given way to a deluge of people STEALING imagery outright. When I was coming up, THERE WAS NO INTERNET...I had to go to the library, and the bookstore, the comic shop...etc.
And I , Like you, do enjoy to share information...but I am running a business as well, and have to protect it to some degree. It's not about "poor attitude", it's about logistics.
I think it boils down to whether people are interested in Learning vs Producing Knock-Offs. If you're helping someone start out doing their own thing, that's rad. But if they're hoping to jump in using all of your secrets and tricks to try and do the same damn thing that you do to make your paycheck, that's insulting and shitty.
This is an issue I have seen pop up before in our community and I have always had strong feeling about it. I think that if you don't want share what knowledge you have that's perfectly fine, but I really don't like any rationales as I don't think they're valid, with one exception. I think that if an artist has a trade secret, say a recipe for a color or sculpting compound, for instance, than it would make sense to try to keep it secret. But if the artist uses factory purchased materials then what's the sense? What secret are you keeping? If it's a technique you learned in a book, google or forum and widely used, for centuries, then again, what's the sense in obstructing someones growth? I don't agree with this notion that the internet is any less valid a learning tool than say going to the library. Equating the internet to instant, easy learning is just not accurate. The individual still has to apply the knowledge themselves through trial and error and develop their skill set.
Now stealing someones ideas is a completely different issue. One would hope that when you share your knowledge that the individual intends to use it in a manner that does not infringe upon your preexisting work. My guess is you sharing or not has little to do with someone else's ethics.
There are plenty of very successful artists who freely offer their knowledge. There are plenty who don't. I think if you're good at what you do, sharing your knowledge will not effect the outcome of your success. I believe the issue simply comes down to your own personal philosophy on sharing.
Kevin, I agree with you on some counts. The internet IS a viable learning tool, and it isn't inferior to others. But it has this immediacy that I think is starting to melt our brains into thinking that everything is available and immediate. Also you're right, there are no secrets.
So if there are no secrets, how would I be "obstructing someone's growth" if I don't share information with them?
I'm sensing some definite moral judgment here, implying that sharing is always good, not sharing is always a selfish move...and That is EXACTLY what I am talking about! Sharing is NOT always appropriate. Left to my own devices, I'll probably talk all about process and the like, unprompted, but for somebody I've never talked to, to just up and ask all sorts of specific questions? Sort of comes across pretty presumptuous and grabby, if you ask me.
You would be amazed how brazen people can get. I've done craft shows for 6 years, I've had all sorts of interactions with people asking me very pointed questions about "how I make" or "how I do" or "where do I get these", etc. These people could very well be MY COMPETITION. Why on earth would I help train my competition, for free? That is a terrible business plan.
It's not fear of being copied, or such nonsense. People are going to do what they want, you can't stop them. But you certainly don't have to help them. It's just a resistance to the "I'm just too lazy to look into this myself, you make something I like, and I want to know how you do it" attitude.
If you feel your chosen path is that of a teacher, that's great. Expand some horizons, and people will probably get a lot out of it. But honestly, my chosen path is that of a businesswoman, who has to manage business in a way that keeps ahead of the curve as much as possible, and makes money so I can pay my bills. Large idea-factory corporations are VERY strict about trade information boundaries. Why is it such a negative thing when an individual wants to exercise the same philosophy?
I apologize Amanda, my comments do come off as judgmental. Your decision to not share always with others(I'm sure you do share on many occasions) is a result of a history that I was not privy to. I can not assume you to be selfish in that decision or be acting inappropriately. I probably should have just ignored the desire to write a comment but last night I felt it necessary as I've been wanted to talk about this fraction in the art world. I do come from a family of teachers and so withholding information just isn't in my nature, what ever the reasons. I should just respect however your choice to not share. You do have the right like any business to choose to run it however you wish, I believe I always maintained that opinion.
I would also agree that the internet has adjusted people's mindset. We are now in the I want it now generation. But I think the internet is by far the greatest human invention ever. One great, ever-expanding library of shared information. And who doesn't like a library?
Anyways, again, I apologize for being a rude butt head.
pshh, no apology required. I was actually going to come back on here today and thank you for your comments, but you beat me to it. I don't want to live in a world where everybody agrees with me, how boring!
I'm glad you did decide to write, because open discussion and the sharing of opinions is really what I wanted to get out of this. I'm sure you're not the only one out there that feels how you do, but you're the one that spoke up, and for that I am glad :)
Everybody has their comfort zones with things, and I think it's largely because people have different reasons for doing what they do. I'm happy that people feel comfortable enough to share with each other - that is why forums and such are so great, I think. And honestly, I think if this were a hobby, even a serious hobby for me, I would be a lot more apt to pitch in. But when your name is (one of) your business(es), you tend to get a bit defensive, and perhaps I overcompensate sometimes, and it's not really necessary. I'm definitely not innocent of crimes of ego from time to time ;)
Like you, I also come from a teacher family (mom a teacher, dad a principal, talk about never being able to get away from school!). And I DO love to share info and teach. Maybe that is why this topic is so hot with me.
At any rate, no hard feelings at all, and I'm glad you shared your thoughts :)
Wow, we really do have some common ground. My mom was a teacher and days when my school had off, we'd be dragged to her classroom at her school. Never get away. Although, you got a step up on me, a dad who was a principal? Ouch.
Thanks for being gracious.
I think it's important than when others ask for advise on how you do things that you express your feelings about original style, product, etc and offer some books that they can refer to. I would never give away exactly how we do things-- but at the same time I know it really shouldn't matter. I know that most serious artists spend most of their free time fine tuning their craft and it's a huge commitment-- so you can't live your life in fear that someone else is going to rip you off. I've said this before, but if other artists are making cheap knock-offs then it's time for you to up your game.
Actual trade secrets are exactly that though and don't feel bad for defining it as such. Most of us are self- taught anyway and when it comes to working with chemicals and toxic fumes artists need to do research on their own as you don't want to be responsible for that person should something happen.
Eek! Reading all this makes me feel kind of bad about asking an unnamed artist about tips on how to get into a specialty type of style. :P
Of course when I was asking it was never an attempt on how to copy their style. It was more of a curiosity thing...
Thank you everyone for your insight and thoughts in this matter. In the future I'll make sure to structure questions/comments in a way to take into account feelings and thoughts expressed here.
Aw, Jaysea, I don't want you to feel bad! I think there is a big difference in things too, where there's a relationship already present, you know? For somebody like you, who is an active member of forums, gives a lot of feedback, and is an actual patron of artists, I think it's different...there's already a relationship established, you know?
I can usually tell when somebody is being grabby because they just see me as an info source, and when somebody is asking because they are curious about something, or want to "talk shop" for a while. Which I'm totally up to doing, and enjoy.
Thanks Mandi! I don't really feel bad per se, it's just I'm hoping it wasn't taken the wrong way when I asked. I do know what you're saying, and it makes me feel a better about the situation. Thanks again! :)
This topic has been ever present in my thinking as I perform production research, tech development, and material testing; the egalitarian, community minded part of me wants to share what I learn, let my stream add to the sea of knowledge, float all boats, etc- but the part of me that spends treasure and time performing the joyless task of testing formula and procedure variance, and logging and evaluating results, has to acknowledge that intellectual property is a key asset. We all want to feed the hungry - but not empty our refrigerator doing it. Balance and judgment in all things, yes?
Hello there you wonderfully tallented woman.
I totally agree with your wanting to keep some things secret. Our little tricks are what make us unique as artists. We can pick up inspiration from each other without creating carbon copies of each others work.
I am a strange breed. I am kind of a creative consultant / product developer. I make projects and write instructions for companies who make raw art and crafting product. I am also a working artist and can't confuse the two things. There are some techniques that are unique to me, and won't be shared with the public in project instructions until I have used them up and am done with them. Then I'm eager to share those ideas and techniques to see what others can do with them. It's like seeing flowers bloom....... but only when I'm ready please. Never feel bad or stingy about keeping things yours.
P.S.: My daughter wants you to make a backpack. Your work is dreamy!
Mandi, you echo my sentiments very loudly. we live in the age of entitlement, it seems. i was a novelist for almost 20 years and made my living as such. i helped numerous individuals, but was routinely swamped with people wanting free advice, free readings, etc.
today -- three years into a successful pet photography career -- i am almost daily hit with emails from people around the world wanting to start their own pet photog businesses, or even from established photogs with way more experience than i, asking ... no, expecting advice.
it's a constant trickle. honestly, if i answered every email and every phone call asking for advice, i would never have the time to pick up my cameras again ... i'd be running a consulting business. of course, it wouldn't be much of a 'business' since almost none of these people expect to pay a dime for the hard-earned advice they are demanding.
what is most discouraging of all is that when i DO take the time to write the odd person, when my heart gets the better of me and i reach out and spend a half hour, hour, or more of my precious time to help guide them with awesome advice and direction ... well, you wouldn't believe how few of them actually reply with so much as a 'thanks'.
in both of my careers i arrived here virtually on my own. i've had no true mentors. i've taught myself through hard work, dedication, and genuine insight ... as i'm sure you have. why on EARTH should we be expected to just hand over that hard work to others? it's ridiculous, generally thankless, and i'm quite certain that you - like me - simply do not have the time.
sorry, it's a bit of a sore spot for me. i sometimes get so inundated with inquiring emails that i finally break down and post a blog entry about equipment or techniques just to get people off my back ... when honestly, i feel like telling them: figure it out yourself, like i did. and if you actually want me to teach you? then by all means, here's my fee ... and i'm worth every penny.
i all for sharing, collaborating, pooling resources ... not one-way streets. i'm for mentoring when i see talent and a gracious, genuinely thankful soul who will take that advice and leg-up and do something with it. but i'm tired of handing out the freebies to the freeloaders. people need to figure out for themselves. it's not rocket science. and frankly, my time has become far too precious.
keep rockin' in, Mandi. i'm going to dream of your creatures tonight. i hope they behave!
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