Thanks for weighing in, you said it very well.
Gayle
On Jan 28, 2008, at 9:11 AM, Jerry Vilenski wrote:
> I usually don't weigh in on most of the postings here,
> but this is interesting to me, mainly because I have
> been in exactly the same situation many times in my
> career, and continue to face it now that I'm retired.
>
> There are people in the world that think because you
> are associated in the visual art world that you can
> automatically and easily do all kinds of illustration
> and graphic design work at the drop of a hat. We as
> artists and teachers have a tendency to create our own
> monsters, because we tend to be competent individuals
> who make all of this stuff look easy. The unspoken
> truth is that while it is easier for some than others,
> it is our skill as artists, built over many years,
> that appears to non-artists as being easy. We all
> know deep down that "easy" is an illusion, and that as
> much, if not more, thought and planning goes into
> designing a brochure or booklet than goes into
> planning a piece of fine art, because it is outside
> our usual approach to creativity.
>
> I have lost count of how many graphic designs, logos,
> booklets, brochures and posters I have created over
> the years for absolutely no compensation. I am
> constantly asked to design such things for my former
> school colleagues and groups I belong to because I can
> do a professional job for no compensation. Just last
> night, I e-mailed a program cover for a music teacher
> and a poster to the local library for Dr. Seuss night
> that I was asked to design.
>
> I really don't mind doing the work, mainly because it
> helps build or maintain my skills in design, which
> aides my own publications. However, I do agree with
> other list members that it is ironic that musicians
> and others in the arts generally don't give their
> skills for free, or are even asked to perform gratis
> very often, where visual artists are frequently asked
> for free services. I guess it is part of the curse of
> being a competent artist with skills very few possess.
> Or, in my case, not knowing when to say no!
>
> As to the issue of copyright, the vast majority of the
> things I have designed have been for temporary events,
> so copyright is not much of an issue. However, I have
> claimed copyright for illustrated booklets and logos
> that could be published, just in case somewhere down
> the road that should happen.
>
> Jerry
> artguyvilenski.com
>
>
>
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