[Greyhair]

I strongly take exception to the connotation that using someone else's design or design feature is copy catting. I have tried to carve exact replicas of some things that I have done and have little success in doing so even for my own work. The wood just does not cooperate and my mind and fingers do not take computer precise instructions. I appreciate the fact that we need to give credit to others for their creative designs but never consider it copy catting.
Nancy's work always looks like Nancy's work and she can use designs ideas from anyone but her work is always original and it shows.

[Nancy_G]

In this case I wish my copy of Longo's Santa looked MORE like an exact copy.
But I stand by my view that it's important to give credit where it's due. If I'd carved that Santa and claimed the design as my own, I wouldn't be breaking any laws but I'd not be very proud of myself. Just MHO
I can't copy my own stuff with much success either.

[rgbonehead]

We are all copy cat artist.I can't think of
one thing that is original in this world.
we carve animals they are copys
we carve people they are copys.There is no line circle
or curve that is not in nature somewhere.
I am sorry we all copy.what the creator has already
made.He is the greatest artist and we can't top that.
Ron

[GeorgiaFred]

I just wish I could carve good enough so that someone would WANT to copy me !!

[Hugh]

Hey rgbonehead, you might get a kick out of watching some of the modern artists of today. Adrian Clarkson, gave a prestigious award to a man for lying naked twisting double and I wont tell the rest. Read about this in the paper. A documentary on TV awhile back recorded an original artist as exploding dynamite under cans of different colour paint, it splattered on the canvas and is called original art. I could go on with stories or original creation, but like you, I believe that the only true originals come from the Good Lord himself. Love your work Nancy.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

many years ago, I entered some paintings in a county fair in California.....the best of show was an old pair of levi's with buttons sewed all over them? Heard of another that was 27 cinder blocks in 3 rows of 9 each....some people need their pills worst than I do! lol

[squbrigg]

Original "art", sometimes doesn't make much sense does it! Observed a lot of "art" while my daughter attended NSCAD, and was curious as to what they considered art. "Fine Art"....like Hugh mentions, often has nothing to do with skill, and everything to do with "interpretation". The fine art so called "community" establishes what is art and what isn't....those high paid, highly educated, bureaucrats in the art funding community that decree who gets recognized and who doesn't.

Read an interesting commentary in a magazine lately where the writer was expressing the opinion that modern art has lost the most important ingrediant of real art....skill! Real, honest.......hard work achieved , studied under a master, practiced till your hands bleed, apprenticed for years type....skill.

Not your exploding paint can, or twisted body on a floor type, but the type that takes skill, practice, effort and discipline, and will stand the test of time.

I'm just happy doing what I do, carving for the joy of it, and don't give a hoot what they calls it.

Bob

[S-Shamrock]

Hey now throwing paint most likely takes a lot of skill ! =D just kidding
I agree with you guys. I't crazy some of the things that pass as art!!!
-silas

[rgbonehead]

Hey Hugh,
That's not art that's just plain DUMB.
Want to see true art go to florence,Italy and
look at some of michael Angeleo's work.
Simply amazing.Ron

[Hugh]

I would like to Ron, but if shanks mare wont take me there I guess its out of the question I'll bet it would be something to see. Hugh