Jeff Soto
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Jeff Soto's Blog
I'm a huge Soto fan and I know some of you out there are as well. His most recent post on his blog deals with copycat artists. I thought it was an interesing read. You can read his entire post here:
http://jeffsotoart.blogspot.com/
Or read it here: (cut and pasted from his blog)
"And, lastly, I’m dealing with artists who are imitating mine and other’s work. They say imitation is a form of flattery but when people are doing stuff very similar in style to what you’ve been doing for years and they’re selling it, it’s more of a slap on the face. I am not naming any names but I’ve seen alot of imitation the past couple of years and it’s getting worse. The good thing is that for some reason people tend to copy the stuff I was doing right out of school- sun rays (hehe which I copied from Alex Gross), robots, boxes with wings, etc. It still sucks. I don’t know if the artists are to blame or the galleries that show them. Or it could be the buyers who are supporting this. So here’s some advice for everyone...
Artists- if you find yourself with a lack of ideas or have trouble finding your style, DO NOT take the easy path. Don’t look at who’s successful and steal their ideas. Do not copy them. Do not imitate them. This might help you sell some paintings, you may even sell out a show or two. But in the long run it will come back to bite you in the buttocks. You’ll be but a flash in the pan. A one hit wonder. If you are a serious artist and you make art because you have to, it’s in your soul, it’s in your heart, you will eventually find your own style. I’m not saying it will be easy. It takes sacrifice, dedication, and experimentation. And once you think you found your style, throw it all away. Because your garbage will get stagnant if you don’t keep evolving. The artists who are copying will not be around in a couple years. Watch.
*Note- it’s alright to be a little derivative right out of school, no one can help that. But if you’re out of school for a while and selling your paintings and deep down you know it’s not totally original, then it’s time to refocus and get onto a better path.
And..
Galleries- You have a responsibility to show original work. When you show work that is overly derivative, it cheapens your gallery and the entire “scene”. This scene is small. Really small actually. If you are showing work in this genre you should have at least an understanding of who the artists are, what their work looks like and where they have shown. You have to have the backbone to be able to tell artists to come back in a year with new work if it’s derivative. Galleries used to be tougher. It was special if your work got in. It meant you were making original, thought provoking work. Realistically not everyone is going to be able to show Viner or Camille Rose Garcia, but that doesn't mean you should find someone who is making similar work.
There are tons of young artists out there who are deserving, hard working, eager and super original. Go find them. Promote them. Teach them.
There are tons of young artists out there who are copying. They will come to you. Educate them. Push them. Be honest with them. They will return better artists.
And...
Buyers- You’re gonna hopefully buy a piece of art because you love something about it. Investing in art is not bad either. I hope you also really research the artists you are interested in (especially if you're looking at it as an investment). It’s hard to keep track of everything but try to stay informed. Most of the artists being copied have shown at some time at La Luz de Jesus (now Billy Shire Fine Art), Jonathan Levine Gallery, Merry Karnowsky, New Image Art, BLK/MRKT, etc. They have higher standards and will never show anything derivative. Research some of these galleries that have been around for a while (there are more, don’t limit to those I mentioned), get back copies of Juxtapoz, Giant Robot, check out American Illustration, there are also some great books on the subject. Most artists also have their resume’s listed on their websites. In short, do your research. Unless you don’t mind buying work that may be derivative, and that’s your prerogative (cue Bobby Brown here).
So that’s my little rant about this situation. I’ve talked to a lot of people about this and everyone agrees that it is getting to be a widespread problem. Any ideas on this? What are your thoughts?"
http://jeffsotoart.blogspot.com/
Or read it here: (cut and pasted from his blog)
"And, lastly, I’m dealing with artists who are imitating mine and other’s work. They say imitation is a form of flattery but when people are doing stuff very similar in style to what you’ve been doing for years and they’re selling it, it’s more of a slap on the face. I am not naming any names but I’ve seen alot of imitation the past couple of years and it’s getting worse. The good thing is that for some reason people tend to copy the stuff I was doing right out of school- sun rays (hehe which I copied from Alex Gross), robots, boxes with wings, etc. It still sucks. I don’t know if the artists are to blame or the galleries that show them. Or it could be the buyers who are supporting this. So here’s some advice for everyone...
Artists- if you find yourself with a lack of ideas or have trouble finding your style, DO NOT take the easy path. Don’t look at who’s successful and steal their ideas. Do not copy them. Do not imitate them. This might help you sell some paintings, you may even sell out a show or two. But in the long run it will come back to bite you in the buttocks. You’ll be but a flash in the pan. A one hit wonder. If you are a serious artist and you make art because you have to, it’s in your soul, it’s in your heart, you will eventually find your own style. I’m not saying it will be easy. It takes sacrifice, dedication, and experimentation. And once you think you found your style, throw it all away. Because your garbage will get stagnant if you don’t keep evolving. The artists who are copying will not be around in a couple years. Watch.
*Note- it’s alright to be a little derivative right out of school, no one can help that. But if you’re out of school for a while and selling your paintings and deep down you know it’s not totally original, then it’s time to refocus and get onto a better path.
And..
Galleries- You have a responsibility to show original work. When you show work that is overly derivative, it cheapens your gallery and the entire “scene”. This scene is small. Really small actually. If you are showing work in this genre you should have at least an understanding of who the artists are, what their work looks like and where they have shown. You have to have the backbone to be able to tell artists to come back in a year with new work if it’s derivative. Galleries used to be tougher. It was special if your work got in. It meant you were making original, thought provoking work. Realistically not everyone is going to be able to show Viner or Camille Rose Garcia, but that doesn't mean you should find someone who is making similar work.
There are tons of young artists out there who are deserving, hard working, eager and super original. Go find them. Promote them. Teach them.
There are tons of young artists out there who are copying. They will come to you. Educate them. Push them. Be honest with them. They will return better artists.
And...
Buyers- You’re gonna hopefully buy a piece of art because you love something about it. Investing in art is not bad either. I hope you also really research the artists you are interested in (especially if you're looking at it as an investment). It’s hard to keep track of everything but try to stay informed. Most of the artists being copied have shown at some time at La Luz de Jesus (now Billy Shire Fine Art), Jonathan Levine Gallery, Merry Karnowsky, New Image Art, BLK/MRKT, etc. They have higher standards and will never show anything derivative. Research some of these galleries that have been around for a while (there are more, don’t limit to those I mentioned), get back copies of Juxtapoz, Giant Robot, check out American Illustration, there are also some great books on the subject. Most artists also have their resume’s listed on their websites. In short, do your research. Unless you don’t mind buying work that may be derivative, and that’s your prerogative (cue Bobby Brown here).
So that’s my little rant about this situation. I’ve talked to a lot of people about this and everyone agrees that it is getting to be a widespread problem. Any ideas on this? What are your thoughts?"
Weird. I wrote this not only 3 days ago.....
Question from robotoil
robotoil( 82)
Positive feedback: 100%
Member since: Apr-24-01
Location: NJ, United States
Registered on: http://www.ebay.com
Item: Urban Graffiti Modern Pop street lowbrow art painting (220103347705)
This message was sent while the listing was active.
robotoil is a potential buyer.
Influenced by Soto no doubt.
Details for item number: 220103347705
Item title: Urban Graffiti Modern Pop street lowbrow art painting
Item URL: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... B:AAQ:US:1
End date: Monday, Apr 23, 2007 18:24:58 PDT
Question from robotoil
robotoil( 82)
Positive feedback: 100%
Member since: Apr-24-01
Location: NJ, United States
Registered on: http://www.ebay.com
Item: Urban Graffiti Modern Pop street lowbrow art painting (220103347705)
This message was sent while the listing was active.
robotoil is a potential buyer.
Influenced by Soto no doubt.
Details for item number: 220103347705
Item title: Urban Graffiti Modern Pop street lowbrow art painting
Item URL: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... B:AAQ:US:1
End date: Monday, Apr 23, 2007 18:24:58 PDT
- creestofer
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- Cookie Head
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Just got an envelope from Mr. Levine...
With a poster for Jeff Soto's upcomming Storm Clouds show. It looks like Jim Houser will also be there.
Anyone planning on going? I'm a big Soto fan, but probably can't get out of the office long enough to get to NYC.
Anyone planning on going? I'm a big Soto fan, but probably can't get out of the office long enough to get to NYC.
Re: Just got an envelope from Mr. Levine...
robotoil wrote:bleuachdu wrote:With a poster for Jeff Soto's upcomming Storm Clouds show. It looks like Jim Houser will also be there.
Anyone planning on going? I'm a big Soto fan, but probably can't get out of the office long enough to get to NYC.
I was planning on going with Mrs. R.O. but it looks like I may have to go stag. Who is one the list. I was slow. I think I am 128ish.
im on it but dont know if there will be anything that I really really like in my price range...im hoping though, soto doesnt sell sketches very often does he?
Re: Just got an envelope from Mr. Levine...
i'm going eric-
you going to the VIP party or opening night?
you going to the VIP party or opening night?
robotoil wrote:bleuachdu wrote:With a poster for Jeff Soto's upcomming Storm Clouds show. It looks like Jim Houser will also be there.
Anyone planning on going? I'm a big Soto fan, but probably can't get out of the office long enough to get to NYC.
I was planning on going with Mrs. R.O. but it looks like I may have to go stag. Who is one the list. I was slow. I think I am 128ish.
- superfly snuka
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- Cookie Head
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- Location: LALALALALA
Jonathan LeVine Gallery is proud to announce Storm Clouds, a solo exhibit of new works by Jeff Soto and the artist’s second major show at the gallery. Storm Clouds, features over thirty new works on wood panel and paper, as well as large-scale installations that will focus on the theme of politics, fear, and fatherhood. Storm Clouds is Jeff Soto’s most politically charged exhibition to date.
looks like there will only be 30-40 works.
looks like there will only be 30-40 works.
- superfly snuka
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