Whose is it...anyway

[johncarves]

I am completing a commission piece (pictured below). I took it to the local carving club for their "show & tell". A gentleman who I don't know' but had seen there before, asked me to take a picture of the carving. He said"I want to do one just like it".

I don't think he understood why I said NO. Even after I pointed out to him:
1.) It is a commissioned piece,
2.) They paid an architect to do the basic design work.
3.) They were paying me to execute and improve the design.
4.) They wanted something beautiful and unique for their home that no one else would have.

He should have taken pencil and paper, make a rough sketch, made his own pattern and had a similar but different carving that was his very own creation.

The carving is in Honduran Mahogany, it fits inside an opening above the mantle shelf. The mantle is in red oak and in the photos doesn not have a finish applied yet. I am about 75% finished with the carving.

John Moore
http://www.johnmoorewoodcarver.com

[brent]

Nice work. Of course I have seen your work before. Did you do the mantle also or just the relief? I really like the plain clean lines of the mantle. I do believe one piece compliments the other.

[Jbarr]

Hi John, anyone who puts there work out on display has had someone try to copy it. there is noway around it, I have even seen some of my work copied on this site. which I don't mind at all but I do wish they would give me some mention. The piece looks great and I am sure your client and the arch. will love it. thanks
James

[Thor]

That is a beautiful carving for sure John, as well as the presentation. I can understand why they would want a piece of it... by copying it. Your explanation list sounds like you explained it as well as you could. Flattering that the person was so taken with it.
Christina

[johncarves]

This piece is in an old "arts & craft" style home (whatever that means). The couple had lived in the house for 30 years and then moved into another house. Two years ago they decided to remodel and update this house. WHAT AN UNDERSTATEMENT! They gutted it... added a second story, redid the exterior with all new #1 choice cedar, which is being painted. Parquet floors and ceiling in some rooms. Exquisite oak cabinetry throughout. The cabinet maker did the mantle that my carving fits into. It's all so beautiful. From the outside the appearance is true to the style of that period but the inside is truly marvelous.
They have put several hundred thousand dollars into this project. It has to be nice to "treat" the home you love to such a makeover.

[kev.b]

John firstly let me say that i think the piece is just amazing.
what i dont understand is, and please dont think im trying to be argumental here, is why you would say no to someone taking a picture, for the reasons you have given, then place 5 pictures on here?
im sure 50 carvers could "attempt" to copy this piece and your clients would still own an original. if you made 2 copies, both pieces would not be identical, and therefore "originals".
im sure the person requesting a photo was only trying to pay you a complement.
i stress i am not trying to create an argument merely point out that "imitation is the best form of flattery", and again i think you work is incredible.

[Steve Reed]

John,
Don't want to start a dust-up either, but I agree with kev.b above. A better approach might have been for you to take a picture of it and put it in your "brag book". Just my opinion only, and you certainly have made a beautiful piece, but with that said, if I, or any of the other carvers out here were to take your pictures, download them and make the carving, do you think it would look the same? I doubt it.
Again, my friend, not trying to argue, just trying to give a different perspective.
Respects to you and your work
Steve

[mobjack68]

or "watermark" your pics and offer them to everyone??

[johncarves]

The gentleman asked "me" to make a picture and give it to him. I said no.

I didn't tell him he could not take a picture or make a sketch.

And I have thought of copyrighting my work, for all the good that might do.

I routinely give away my patterns and willing teach others to do a lot of the things I do.

I could not in good faith tell him here make a copy of this. Someone else was paying good money for an exclusive piece of art.

[Dileon]

I have to say something, just express my opinion, for what ever that is worth. I do not let people take pictures of my work.... I do put the ones on here that I really do not care if they do or not....but I do not put the whole thing on here. As you can see, you can not copy as the picture is at a large angle....unless your really good....then I say go make your own work. I work as an artist since the age of 16....no one has paid for my education, no vacation pay, no insurance at times, I have sold tons of work, and tons of it does not sell. No one has paid me for the work that was copied, nor the hard work that goes into making a good work. No one has paid me for the ones that were stolen, nor do they pay for the years and years of hard work that I have done to get better at doing art. You see when you go in and take a picture of anything with the intention of copying and usage for your own personal income.... I call it theft and nothing less. You do have the right to say no. I do not mind teaching people up to a point but when it gets to copying for selling, ....heck if you want to pay for all my tools then I just might let you do it....smile Di