So I was attempting to begin a painting, on this frosty St. Patricks Day eve; sheltering from the curious precipitation outside which my roomate so aptly likened to “falling Dip ‘n Dots,” when I stumbled upon a noteworthy article. One of my favorite blogs:“One Good Move” posted a link to Jonathan Lethem’s essay from Harper’s about plagiarism (actually, One Good Move posted it twice because “not all of you read it.”). It is indeed an amazing read, and I would similarly insist that anyone and everyone (especially creative professionals!) give it the time it deserves. It is a bit of a commitment to get through, but thoroughly rewarding. For a young, insecure and paranoid artist simultaneously entering the worlds of proffesional art creation and online proliferation, Letham’s points on intellectual property are refreshing, and personally very timely as I have been contemplating the risks/incentives of spec work, stock illustration, and pro bono commsions among other delemas. I hope you will all give this article a bit of your precious time (as much as I can attribute the ownership of that time to you) and consider the merits of the copyright laws to which we so jealously cleave.
Luck of the Irish to you and your liver!
Cheers!
