Trade Secrets, part 2

I wish I could figure out how to activate the comments section 

of this blog without making folks “join” anything. 

The response to my question last week about which secrets you share, 

and which you protect, was informative and thoughtful...

and definitely the most I’ve ever received on one post.  

I’ll try to hit some highlights:

In general artists replied that they are a sharing group: they recognize that sharing leads to an exchange of information that is mutually beneficial in the long run.  Self confident artists have no desire to exactly copy some one else’s work and good teachers realize that the signature of their own work has taken years to develop and can’t really be duplicated.  (That said, I do know that there are “copy factories” in China where artists are paid to replicate perfectly the works of well known, translate to very expensive, artists in an attempt to cash in.  Not a lot of us fall in that category.)

by Cindy Michaud Art

There was definitely a parting of the ways when an artist considered their work more of a “product” than a one-off design.  For instance, after my buddy who makes candles perfected a method to guarantee a longer than common burn time (having invested hours of time and loads of money in the testing) she was reluctant, understandably, to broadcast the formula.  Meanwhile she was happy to share ingredient sources, label methods etc with fellow “competitors.” But the “sets it apart” factor was her distinction and she shouldn’t feel guilty about not sharing it.

Ditto, for a specific pattern that can be duplicated....I’ve read stories of several ETSY craftsmen who worked hard to make a niche product only to find the exact same thing (again, mass produced in China) for sale in Target the next year.  Sad.  But a fact of life.

One reader opined that wood turners were not a very sharing group, I cannot attest to experience there; another recalled a family story about an excellent baker who happily shared recipes but always left out a crucial ingredient....thus protecting her status as “the best.” Or totally ruining it, you chose!

by Weathered and Worn

So, as usual, there are two sides to every issue.   Austin Kleon’s original question asked us to think about this, personally, from both sides (what is shared, what is not) and evaluate the outcome of each. Perhaps my presentation was a bit more judgmental in tone.

The internet has changed the art game on so many levels.  Just as it makes it easy to research technique it also risks passing off unreliable methods or incomplete formulas.  While many craftsmen depend on the WWW to sell their products, it also exposes them to being copied and undersold.  Several experts in the art business even believe that the internet is responsible for many independently owned galleries closing their doors, seen as the “middle man” their services are needed less and less.  

So where does this discussion bring us? At the risk of putting words in anyone’s mouth I will verbalize my own thoughts: I believe artists and craftsmen need to have a sharing attitude, they need to trade thoughts, ideas, formulas and techniques.  It creates energy, it generates new ideas, it becomes a network of support and mutual admiration.  It is give and take. Here is a new-ish clip of Kleon at SBSW in an interview repeating his "share philosophy." Go all four minutes, he uses b-b-q as an example!

pottery by AmyH

HOWEVER,  I also believe that everyone of us needs to recognize the existence of proprietary information...I can respect that.  If you have spent years developing your signature color (glaze, paint, finish etc) and you only smile when I ask how you mixed that, I need to understand that it is "back to the drawing board" for me...to find my own special, secret ingredient.  If it’s already on the internet, well, why not strike up a conversation and make a new friend? Let's not be rude in our artist conversations.

Here's to sharing art: philosophies, ideas and yes, a few secrets! 

Cindy

Trade Secrets

"What are the secrets of your trade?

What would you lose by sharing them with others?

What would you gain?

(work page from The Steal Like an Artist Journal,

by Austin Kleon)

I love doing the exercises in Kleon's wonderful journal which he refers to as "a notebook for creative kleptomaniacs."  But the question above really spoke to me due to an experience I had yesterday in a booth at a local country fair.  I was so taken aback that I even discussed it with my husband.

I noted a tent display featuring printed leaves that appeared to be similar to what I have done to produce notecards (in fact this is prime gathering time of flora for future steamings) so I went in to have a closer look.  She had lovely things, mostly single leaf prints on paper, matted, framed and identified as to tree species.  Cousins to what I do but not exactly the same.  I was very admiring as I noticed that she had a lovely black color on a few that I never seem to get.  

in process, some leaves still on paper 

So I posed a question:

"Do you treat these leaves with..."

She interrupted me explaining that the leaves are all natural and that what I see is the print she gets.

"Yes," I said.  "I do this same process but I never get that cool black.  Do you dip the leaf..."

....and before I could say "iron bath" she abruptly turned and walked away leaving me chatting to myself.

Why?  I saw no other customer.  I don't think anything I said was an insult.  All I could assume was that she was not into sharing 'trade secrets.'  

leaf prints before drying

What a shame.  I'd have been delighted to share with her how to get the fabulous sumac print seen above (she only showed maples) and I would have had fun telling her about a few failures I experienced as well (thus saving her a similar waste of precious time).  Was she afraid of competition?  Silly, I think, as in a quick glance around the fair and I saw many, many potters and a ton of painters all seemingly offering slightly different work.  Did she believe she had more to lose by chatting with me than to gain?

A pity.

In galloping through so many different art fields I have found that those who share (i.e. those with the self confidence to answer questions and trade techniques) are truly the most accomplished.  Is this because their own attitude promotes the exchange of ideas that enables growth for both parties?  Perhaps so.  Or is it that their kindness in sharing makes people want to do business with them.  Of course.

Art is not rocket-science, it is not a proprietary algorhythm which unlocks the secrets to the universe.  Art always bears the signature of its maker even when the same techniques are used.  Anyone who accomplishes anything creative stands on the shoulders of those who came before them.  It is my experience that those who fail to share will have karma to answer to.

But how do you feel about this topic? I may be all wrong...do you share your trade secrets: formulas, recipes, techniques or methods? why or why not?

I'll get off my soapbox!

HAPPY TO SHARE,

Cindy

p.s. Where did I spend my money?  Funny, but it was with the women who were showing some cool hats and were tickled when I asked a question about the process.  They were happily explainging how they made them as they proceded to cash in...ch-ching!