WW114: ABC'S, GARFUNKLE AND OATES - 17th and OAK versus GEEK MY WALL...the FINAL WORDS.......

THIS IS    A-N-O-T-H-E-R     RE-POST! ----May 22nd....

OK...the latest.........

I am honestly not sure WHAT to say at this point...........so here is the NEWEST info as it has been presented to me!

AGAIN......I am NOT an investigative journalist, so keep that in mind.....

A few weeks ago.......I posted this item:

1.) I enjoy these graphic posters from Geek My WalL - pop culture icons depicted in a very graphic way - using typography to spell out a quote from the character......

Great...I posted it here. 

BUT THAT ISNT THE END.....OOOOOOOH NO.

Last week I got a comment at the bottom of my blog this week by Pete Ware at www.17thandoak.co.uk

He was really upset that someone I featured is ripping off his work. As he puts it:

"The similarities between the work are too close to be coincidental. Especially as this person has only been operational for a month. My work has been featured on many blogs and magazines and has been 'out there' for a long time so I believe that this person has seen it and figured they could make money out of copying it. I'm all for taking inspiration from other artists, it's what keeps creative juices flowing but blatantly copying them is not on! Especially as I've put a lot of hard work into my art as I take it very seriously and the thought of someone jumping on the back of my success angers me! It's unoriginal and lazy!"

So here is 17th and Oak's work:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/17thandOak?ref=l2-visit-shop 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/124395887/x-large-size-indiana-jones-typography?ref=shop_home_active

So....yes.....it is similar in many ways.
I can see why Pete is upset, I would be too!
Unfortunately there is no way to say whether his came first and were copied or not......so i did a little research and found Laura Sweet of "It's Hip, It's here".
Laura also posted the Geek my wall versions and was confronted with the same moral dilemma - she handled it with professional blogging journalism.....

"I completely understand your frustration as a fellow creative whose personal work and blog posts are often duplicated. However, in giving this artist the benefit of the doubt, I asked her if she was aware of your work. She says she was not until after someone brought your work to her attention following my post. She claims to have been inspired by these pieces on deviant art. t is not uncommon for certain styles to be very similar and many people are playing with type. I can only take her word for it.

That said, in an effort to prove her originality, she is going to check your store before proceeding with any new art to make sure they are different. And let me commend you on your lovely work, of which I was not aware until after I wrote this post."

http://zombiemedia75.deviantart.com/art/Star-Wars-Yoda-Typography-Treatment-308305505?q=gallery%3Azombiemedia75&qo=3

http://subdio27.deviantart.com/art/A-Clockwork-Orange-169634788

YES! I  stole words directly from lovely Laura at "If It's Hip. It's Here"

Sorry Laura! But I really Like the way she handled it.

I thought I had al but handled it, but then yesterday,  Ayse from Geek my Wall commented to me - defending her work.
In the name of fairness I want to share her rebuttal.....and then we can be done with this!

"I don't want to make things ''uglier'' so I won't blame anyone about this. I'm just writing this reply to make something clear. First of all nor me or Pete invented typography. There are so many typographic works made with ''same technique''. So results would be identically same.

At the beginning I felt guilty and even considered re-creating my works. Cause he said he was selling these for over one year. However, when I checked his history on Etsy I realised that his sales start on the very last months of 2012.

On the other hand, I was selling my posters locally in this web site. Some of my listings are still active there but actually I quit there. Thanks heaven, I never relisted these, so you can accept the dates as a proof of my argument. First listing's date is 12th April 2012.

http://www.sahibinden.com/en/listing/alisveris-hobi-oyuncak-action-figure-star-wars-han-solo-45-x-30-cm-orijinal-typography-poster-81915517/detail/

http://www.sahibinden.com/en/listing/alisveris-guzellik-kozmetik-profesyonel-ekipmanlar-star-wars-yoda-45-x-30-cm-orijinal-typography-poster-82396148/detail/

In fact, I had to be upset about this but anyway, I don't have time for such things. I spend my time creating artworks and designs. I'm also painting stuff with my style (But I don't think I invented painting or my style. Nor I have right to accuse someone about it). : ) They will be up soon.

At the end, people will decide whose work is better.  Kind Regards, Ayse. T. Werner"

So there is that!

She is defending herself...and I don't blame her! I would too!!

Who is right?????? I DONT KNOW!!!!!

BUT my FINAL bottom line on this one is STILL THE SAME!

I know the frustration that Pete and Ayse are talking about!
I really have felt it myself!!!!

But the thing is, there are a finite number of original ideas out there.
Ya......I think it is possible for two people to have the same idea.
I still believe that eventually the cream rises to the top!
It could be both of these talented graphic artists - I HAVE NO IDEA!!
I am still sure that eventually all the people who lack REAL creativity will eventually move on!
**For the record, I think both sets of work have their merits....and if they both were clueless of the others existence......they can be proud of their works individually!
Truly great work transcends these types of situations!!!

SUUUUPER Sucktastic for everyone involved right now?
YOU BET!
But hopefully it makes everyone better as artists, and stronger as people.

So that is all that I will say about it.
You decide whose work YOU like better and go BUY it.
THE END!

Ok guys....Hopefully that is ALL on this one!!

Here again is the rest of the post on this day:

2.) Blossom Dearie. She is dead. But I just found her. She was an American jazz singer and pianist, "often performing in the bebop genre and remembered for her light and girlish voice. One of the last supper club performers, she performed regular engagements in London and New York City over many years." (thanks Wikipedia!!)
Ok...I am just gonna let you judge:

She has such a nice clear sound...I like it a lot!!
Here she is singing a nice Broadway song:

and here is something else:

JUST SUPER!!

3.) Fred and Friends XYZ blocks. I WANT THESE SOOOOOOO BAD:

Pick them up at Indigo!!

4.) You like your boozey girly drinks like I do??? TRy one of these fab flavours of sweetness in your next martini!!!

YUUUUUMY!!! I have had the Whipped Cream - and it is deelish! (and soooo sweet)

5.) Garfunkel and Oates. So you like comedy? You also love music??? So you like funny ladies......well......I give you these two!!!! SO FUNNY!!!!
(NOT FOR YOUNG EARS!!!!)