Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Meanwhile back in the studio...
I received this email a few weeks ago and have been thinking about it ever since.

I have just recently taken an interest in contemporary quilts and wanted to ask you a question. I realize you likely make a quilt once, but I thought I would ask anyway-would you be willing to make a piece (s) again? The reason being, The Ark, Carioca and Windows really caught my eye. If you could please let me know if you would or would not re-create a piece (s) such as these I listed, I would greatly appreciate it. Again, fabulous work!!



The Ark     Hand dyed cottons, fused, hand and machine quilted. ~20x9"
Windows
Hand dyed cottons, fused, hand and machine quilted. 21.25 x 9.25"

Carioca    Hand dyed cottons, hand and machine quilted. 9.25x20.75"

 I have considered this request, and have told the person that it would be possible remake the designs, but that the fabric is unique to each piece and that would make the final product look entirely different. Not to mention that these are all sold quilts. Hmmm. If I tried to duplicate one, would that be fair to the owner? This won't really happen, since I have none of these original fabrics in my hands. The challenge is interesting and it might rain again today, keeping me out of the garden. It's worth a try, don't you think? But then again, I don't know the writer of the request and it may be just another one of these internet hoax things. Last time that happened it turned out pretty good for me and I did sell a piece, to someone else. So why not give it a go?

19 comments:

  1. I think it would be fun to see how a second attempt would turn out. It will obviously not be the same, but a piece revisioned could be interesting too!

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  2. livelovelaugh-cathy.blogspot.com7:56 AM

    I think I am a thumbs down. It would be unfair to the original purchaser. However, ever on the fence, I think you are a very sage woman and should do whatever you think is right. Gosh, I sound like my mom.

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  3. When I buy a piece of art I buy it for the enjoyment and beauty of it. I do not buy it thinking I want the only version of it. I have bought many prints where I know I am not the only owner. Now if you replicate it and sell it for less... then maybe, but otherwise.. go for it.

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  4. The pieces in question share common elements & colors. Since the original fabric is no longer available and your work is so freeform, it wouldn't be copying the exact pieces. You would be reinterpreting the spirit of the piece in a way. Couldn't the new piece be considered an addition to a loosely based series? Of course, we love whatever you do!

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  5. With the uniqueness of hand dyes, and the fact that you are not a machine, means that anything else you did would be another in a series.

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  6. Take the challenge I say. It may be the same but it will still be different.

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  7. I don't see any reason to do another piece in the spirit of one of your previous ones. With different fabrics and some minor changes in the layout, it would be a completely new creation. I say go for the challenge.

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  8. OOPs I meant "I dont see any reason NOT to do another piece...

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  9. There was an interesting article about this very subject in the most recent SAQA Journal (Vol. 20, #2, Spring 2010). If you are truly worried about whether or not it would be fair to the owners of the original pieces, you could always contact them and find out how they feel about it.

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  10. Many artists work in series. Each piece will have something similiar, and something different. If it is your work and you are not copying someone elses, it is fine to recreate a previous work. Prints are done with a series number (such as 10/100) to let you know how many were done. You can explain things on a tag for the back of the piece. I have done a couple of quilts twice, or one time, did it a third time. They were each unique. You don't owe the first person any explanation! Just have fun making it!

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  11. I agree with most of the above...those that say it would be a part of a series. You wouldn't be able to replicate it anyway.
    And it'll be fun to see what the next one turns out like with the different fabrics. I'm sure she/he liked your style!

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  12. I think you should do it!

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  13. Because of the fabrics you use, no piece will ever be the same so I say go for it.

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  14. If I let someone work for me, I trust him or her. You are the artist, whatever you do will be as great as the things before. Even if or just because it looks different. We expect artist to develop, don't we? Customers who have confidence in the artist can be surprised by the result that may surpass their expectations. Customers who have a very fixed idea may be disappointed, however great the piece of art may turn out.

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  15. even if you do try to replicate, it will never be exact. go for it. i love these pieces the colors are so vivid.

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  16. Completely understandable request as these three are amazing, to put it mildly. I don't even entertain this kind of request as the circumstances that gave birth to a piece can not be replicated. It puts you in the position of copying yourself, which is not a spot I find comfortable. But if you want to, then who better for the task?! =)

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  17. Pammyfay10:40 PM

    I agree with the theme of "one in a series," but I also agree with Carmen: Do YOU want to revisit something that came spontaneously to you (OK, maybe after rearranging a few times), and would it frustrate you to try to come close to the original? Perhaps the person who e-mailed you just wants a something in the style of what you've done and in the same colorways, and can be "persuaded" to leave it up to you? You could keep him/her in the loop by e-mailing some in-process pix.

    One other thing: Not sure it would be offensive to the original owners, unless it's a neighbor trying to copycat their style--and what are the odds of that?

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  18. Well, as the owner of "Windows," I think it is a fabulous idea! As the others have said, it would be more like a series, wherein you simply interpret the same idea in a slightly different form. Each of your quilts is ever unique and it's the style and feeling of these three quilts that has drawn the questioner. I say go for it if you want to, if you don't, then don't! ;0)

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  19. I agree with Beth, ask the owners of those quilts. Also, did you sell them as "one of a kind, original". Or how was the wording?

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Hello,
So nice of you to drop by. I love your comments, and if you would really like a reply, please email me at fibermania at g mail dot com