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ALL WRITTEN AND ARTWORK ARE THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF PSG LOPES. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, 2018.
Everyone has heard of the saying, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.” This may be so for everyday life, but the concept means an entirely different thing to a creative individual–most particularly–an artist. Artists work very hard in whichever medium he or she chooses. An artist’s job is to create with purpose, with meaning, with precision. Every minute detail of one’s artistry is done so with such care and such emotion, the very last thing an artist wants to hear is that someone beat them to the punchline and got there first.
It happens all the time, sadly in the creative realm. Being a creative, I find it difficult to take what I’ve learned and construct my pieces in a way that will resonate with another human being. Of course, the art, whether it is through writing, photography, painting, sketching, sculpting, etc., has to also bear meaning to the artist themselves. Of course, we all want a connection, but our central theme, our driving force is what matters to us the most. That artistic identity is like our fingerprint–traceable to us alone.
I’ve also heard that if someone is mimicking your art, that must mean you’re doing something right. I don’t think I could be that magnanimous and forgive someone who was blatantly taking from my ideas and thought process. The thievery is not just of the work itself, but a raping of the mind. Robbing us of our own creative identities and stealing much more than any palpable piece of work.
In my undergraduate studies, when I majored in Psychology, I took an attachment theory course. My professor said some pretty amazing things regarding the complexities of families. He told us that whenever you’re surrounded by family you will have to leave your adult shoes outside your door and put on your five-year-old shoes again because no one in your family is ever going to see anyone else, but that awkward, silly child you were years ago. There’s no one in your family who believe in you, no one who will root for you, and no one who will support you from your direct bloodline. If you are looking for people to support you, home is not where to look for it. Since I have been home with my family while dealing with my dad, it has been very frustrating and agonizing not being able to properly express myself. I always feel censored, I feel stifled, and I feel that I have no true voice there. They all see the fuck-ups of my past and no one sees any of the remarkable things that I have done as an adult. The self-publishing work, my numerous degrees, etc. mean bupkis to these people. It’s that same old rigid thinking. “If you need money get a real job!” To which I then politely respond, “f*** you” (curtsies and giggles). Not many understand the struggles of producing art and juggling work at the same time. Even though the pay isn’t traditional and there are no real benefits, art takes time, it takes energy, and it is something that can’t be rushed, or forced.
I never really, ever had much luck with money in my life. There were times when I did hold full-time work and had steady income, which was nice, but they were few and fleeting moments in my life. It is a shame because the way that my mind works I have so many ideas rushing through me at a breakneck pace, that I know if I had the proper funding I could make things happen faster than they are currently happening for me at the moment. The one constant theme that I have always struggled with when I started out this writing and artistic venture is money. There’s always going to be someone with more money, there’s always going to be someone who is more cunning than I am, more ruthless than I am, meaner than I am. My advice would be to let them. Let them get to the finish line first. Quicker and richer does not mean better work. The first one to the finish line does not mean that their work is better, just means they had the resources to beat you to the punch line. Someone in my direct circle was one such person. He had the resources and uses people around him to get what he wants. More power to you. It doesn’t make you better than me and doesn’t make what you produce any special than mine. The weaker ones are usually the ones who are quick and thoughtless and make mistakes. Let them make their mistakes first so you can learn from their mistakes and perfect your own craft.
I know in my heart of hearts that what I produce in my writing and art is damn good. This is my second year running The Moonlit Goddess and even though I’m not swimming in doubloons like Scrooge McDuck, it doesn’t mean I am not successful. The mantra that helps me get through the day is “Slow and steady wins the race.” Just because you had the opportunities to take what I taught you and use it before me, does not mean you’re better than I am, it does not mean your product will succeed and does not mean that it will stop me from being the greatest possible artist that I can be.
I am always there for others and I recognized a long time ago that no one is ever going to be there for me in return. If I am going to do this, I’ve gotta do this alone. Aside from my fiance, I really don’t have anyone else rooting for me. It reminds me of that Seether song, “Nobody praying for me.” I can’t listen to other people’s negativity. People are hell-bent on bringing me down because I appear to be the weaker link, but they don’t realize all of the shit that I’ve been through. I’ve grown resilient, tougher, angrier, grittier, and fucking nasty. I’ve also learned my lesson. Loose lips sink ships. So I will keep my work close to the belt until it is one hundred percent released. I will not talk to anyone about anything I’m doing other than a general idea. Artists shouldn’t have to live in a world where they become paranoid and overprotective of their work, but I’m not above shutting others out in order to preserve my brand and my hard work. So, best of luck to you.
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