Cloisonne Like No Other
Faux Cloisonne is not a new technique at all in polymer but there are at least a dozen ways to do it. Even then, within each approach there are very definite choices that become the signature of the artists who have chosen to work extensively with it. Below is a piece by a fairly well-known and, I think easily recognized artist (or maybe I’ve just been admiring this person’s work for ages!). Eugena Topina sells tutorials for this technique as well as having provided the basics in an issue of Polymer Cafe many years ago but as beautiful as this technique is, you don’t really see its likeness anywhere.
I’ve been sitting here trying to figure out how to say what I want to say next in a sensitive manner but I’m not sure there is a way. I brought up Eugena’s work because I wanted to address the worry that some artists have of being copied. My first thought on this subject is always about why one would worry about being copied. If it directly impacts your ability to gain income from your art, that is somewhat understandable but the fact is, you will put your art out there to be seen at some point and if it is well received, others will try their hand at it. There’s no way around that. My second thought is, if you have developed your own unique voice as an artist, there is no way anyone will be able to copy you so that what they do will be mistaken for yours. The third thought … do what you do so well, no one else can copy you, not in any direct manner.
Eugena’s approach to cloisonne is very precise, her colors are bold and bright and her finish looks flawless. She also tends towards flora and fauna in her imagery. This combination of approach, skill and imagery marks her work and makes her pieces easily recognizable. Even with all her information out there on how to do what she does, you don’t see work like hers by other artists. I think she’s simply done it so well, no one can touch her. So if you have a technique, design approach or form that you want to really push as your own, perfect it. Invest time in developing it to its full potential so when you do put it out there, you are setting a very high bar for those who want to emulate what you do. This will give you a solid position and the kind of recognition that does give you income making opportunities in being able to teach it as well as sell it.
Your other option for keeping people from copying you … develop your original, very individual artistic voice. We’ll touch on ideas about how to do that in tomorrow’s post along with a stunning example to draw from.
The other thing about people copying your work … if they do, it’s not only a compliment but an opportunity. Christi Friesen lives off the fact that so many people try and emulate her work.
Thank you for today’s Blog. I have been following the very emotive subject of ‘copying’ for some time now and this is the most sensible comment that I have read! However I feel that another point needs to be made, namely that if an artist is prepared to receive money for selling their techniques in the form of tutorials, books, kits etc. then they are also ‘selling’ the right to use those techniques in whatever way the consumer chooses. Eugena Topina sums this up very well in the t&cs on her tutorial page! By the way I think your blog is great.
I agree with this post 100%! I’m one of those artists who has learned much by copying those who have gone before me, in terms of technique, but never in terms of artistic vision. Eugenia’s work is indeed unique and recognizable, as are so many of the PC world Greats. I could try the technique, and maybe come up with something I was happy with, and that other people would admire. But Eugenia is so far ahead of me, I would never catch up to her vision.
A friend of mine once created a lovely, inspired pendant, and put it for sale in her little online shop. She is quite alone in her artistic world, as she lives far way from other artists and clayers. One of the Big Names emailed her and ordered her to take it out of her shop immediately, as she considered it a copy of her work, and then had a lengthy discussion on Facebook about the nerve of people who copied! My friend was so hurt and confused that it was a long time before she dared to offer her work for sale again. She had come up with that pendant design completely on her own, and it made her afraid to put herself forward again. I am thankful that most of the Greats are NOT like that, and are secure in their own work and vision. Those who rise to the top of their field are most often generous with their inspiration. Thank you for a thoughtful article!
[…] the beginning of the month, we visited Eugena’s artwork … she uses wire as her loose borders. It’s a gorgeous effect. It does take precision […]