I'm still reeling from an e-mail I received earlier this week. A friend shared a story about going into a local craft gallery and seeing work that looked quite similar to my wall hangings--fiber, freestyle stitching, ceramic horses attached. When she inquired about the work, she was told the artist had "seen something in a magazine article" a few years ago, and started making her own version of the work.
Forget me worrying about my work being knocked off by China... This is the third time this year I've learned I'm being copied by other artists here.
I don't even know how to think about this anymore.
A fellow artist assures me it's inevitable, and a mark of my success in getting my work out there, and an indicator my work is GOOD. Otherwise, who would copy it? It's some comfort, but not much. As I pointed out to her, I'm still trying to build a reputation and a following for my work. I don't need any competition with people who want to make MY work. What I need are people to support my vision by buying MY work.
So, not to put too whiney a spin on this, but my prayers this week have been a little hesitant.
I'm asking the universe:
Do you need MY work?
Or am I just here to give really good ideas to people who haven't been able to come up with any on their own?
