I read the comments on my Grain Edit interview this weekend and was definitely hurt at first. I got a lot of great support, but unfortunately, the few negative comments really got to me. The general feel of them is that I shouldn’t draw abstract animals anymore since it supposedly infringes on Charley Harper’s legendary style. I really thought about this and realized that they mean well in defending Charley’s work, but my work is my work and there’s no validity in their negativity towards it. Any work done through my hand will be imbued with my perspective and style. As far as the “animal attraction,” I’ve ALWAYS loved drawing animals and was criticized in my childhood for not drawing as many people – strange, huh? It seems that whatever you do, as soon as you put yourself out there, people can get negative about you. It’s especially easy in the anonymous world of the internet. So, to all the people who left positive comments, Thank you!
I was pretty upset by those comments too, mainly because I know how much work you put into the designs you love. I say regardless of what the naysayers write, keep doing what makes you happy. There are tons of people (including myself) that support what your doing, so keep at it Eleanor!
Thank you, Grace! I really, really, appreciate any positive feedback that you and other people have for my work. It’s a shame that I seemingly gave the few negatives more attention than the positives, but I don’t want anyone who left good feedback to think that those comments went unnoticed. That’s certainly not the case!
Hi! I was reminded of his work as soon as I saw yours, but …. if we never did any art that was similar to someone else’s, how would we ever create anything?! After all, even Charley Harper had people comparing his work to previous illustrator’s work. I think as long as you acknowledge his work as an influence, in some way somehow, go forward!
Thought you might enjoy this “Artist’s Decision Tree” comic strip from Sheldon. It’s a lovely webcomic, and when I read your post I remembered this specific strip:
http://www.sheldoncomics.com/archive/071101.html
He’s also made it into a poster:
http://www.sheldoncomics.com/store/books.html
Love the image you posted today. Keep going!
ps – didn’t a lot of the classic artists we now admire start out as copyists? As did some of our favorite classical composers, too. Not saying you’re copying, just saying, there’s nothing new about someone’s work being similar to previous works!
I agree with Grace here; keep making art that you want to make & forget what the haters say. I had similar comments regarding my work when at college. Accusations of copying Patrick Caulfield & Michael Craig-Martin’s style left me doubting my own integrity as an artist. Truth is I was only made aware of their work after my style had evolved, which is similar to you in the case of C.H. I believe(?). Whenever you release your art into the public gaze it will always be open for scrutiny both favourable & bad. I find this feedback & the visual response to it the reason why I continue making art. Keep up the great work Eleanor
Hello there,
I’m a longtime lurker, first-time poster…I have only had a chance to glance over the interview, but upon reading the comments and this post had to say in no uncertain terms: those people are talking rubbish!
The essential line of your drawings may honour the influence of Mr Harper, but your work is much, much more than a mirror. I absolutely love your animals, it’s what drew me to your site in the first place, and who has a patent on drawing wildlife in basic shapes, anyway? Your work has a far more elegant look and feel, and your use of colour is more sophisticated than CH’s, IMHO.
Rubbish, I tell, ya. Rubbish to those snide folk who leap to critique without truly looking.
Thanks, guys! I think it’s vital to know what came before you. That’s totally important, but it’s only half the battle. Thanks for appreciating what I’m doing!
wow totally mopping c. harpers birds and bugs dude….cool to love animals but own it with your own look….i’m just a saying. wow
They are just jealous. Ignore them. happy 29th!
Dear Eleanor,
I visit your blog and website a lot because looking at all the pretty things you create makes me happy. In fact I haven’t bought one of your prints because I just can’t decide on which one I want: I’m totally spoiled for choice.
Honestly, those comments on Grain Edit were such bullshit. I actually learned of Charley Harper after I came across your work. And while I love his stuff, your work is different. Just because you abstract animals and turn them into beautiful blocks of color doesn’t mean you’re doing the same stuff. Anyone who says that is a wanker. An ignorant wanker. An ignorant simpleton wanker. I could add more adjectives but will stop short here.
I guess I just wanted to express how great I think the work you do is. And to ignore the ignoramuses. You art is ace.
Also. I just saw that comment about your birthday. Does that mean you were born in 1980? Because that means that you were born in the Chinese (and Japanese) astrology sign of the monkey, like me and all my girlfriends. For the record, I think it’s the best sign. Hey, maybe its fodder for a print perhaps??
Hey, Anne!
Thanks so much; this is a very sweet note. I’m really glad that you like my work; it means the world to me!
I was born at the very tail end of ‘79, so I think I’m year of the sheep (right?) Just a few days away from being a monkey like you guys!! A series of astrological signs might be in order…
Hi Eleanor.
I just stumbled on the grain edit interview and consequently your blog. I think your work is great, and I too was disappointed at the tone that many of the “critics” adopted while commenting on your work. The most unfortunate part is after seeing that you were commenting (and hurt), the attacks seemed to get more aggressive and personal, while laughingly remaining anonymous. It is the nature of our craft unfortunately. I can only encourage you to not involve yourself in such pettiness (rise above my friend!). Instead take a mo’ and let Andy Warhol help: “Don’t pay any attention to what they write about you. Just measure it in inches.”