Okay, I'm going to try my absolute hardest to remain tactful while responding the last few posts. Something that Jake sure wasn't capable of.
I want to say first and foremost, I did not come in here claiming outright ownership of ANY of my artwork, if I did or if it seemed that way, I apologize. I was merely stating, though I should have made it a question, that I believe I have SOME rights to the work. For example, using it in a calender that I could produce.
Next, I want to address Jake's rant. I don't think some of the things that Jake said were out of line. I agreed to some of them even. But A LOT of the comments he made were out of line. I invite you to come watch me work, Jake. By all means, come and watch how fast I can do a car and how rediculously overpriced I am for what I do.
All the posts asking where I am? While you're here watching me work, come look at how full my inbox is, whether it's replies from my customers letting me know what changes to make or random e-mails asking me how I do my work and where they can download the software from. There was also a period where I would get 20 e-mails a day JUST from Brazilian car guys because some of my work was published in one of their magazines. Fact is, I get a lot of e-mails and I don't always get to answer all of them because I'm busy doing what I should "stick to." I can't afford to hire a secretary to keep me on track and the reason I take longer sometimes to turn out a rendering is because the person I am doing the car for can not always get back to me right away or it is taking time getting the color "just right." I believe in getting the renderings as perfect as I can for customers instead of just working for a few weeks and giving them the final product. ASK ANYONE. I have never just sat back and said "eh, good enough."
Ask Jody even. It took me a LONG time to get the right orange. He, Scott, and I spent a long time trying to get it to look just right. I didn't just say "well, it gets the point across." I will tweak renderings to no end so that it's what the customer wants. That's why it takes so long. Don't criticize me if you've never worked with me. It's not your place to judge how long it takes me. Have you e-mailed me for renderings? Did I take a long time getting back to you? If so, I apologize, but don't make it your mission to criticize me for being busy.
As to this:
"Kris stick to renditions, you have hard enough time getting them done."
Thank you. You're a real class act.
Jim,
I am not setting out to profit from WHAT I'm rendering, but the renderings themselves. I'm sure that if someone goes to the racetrack and photographs cars and sells the IMAGES to a magazine, it is no different from what I am doing. GM or Ford won't bang down their door for photographing something of theirs and then selling the pictures of it.
So I am in the wrong here just as much as Chip Foose, Mike Desmond, John McBride, and all the other artists out there are if they want to sell their images.
What about the paintings you see in the poster/print shops of cars sitting at a diner. They are selling MASS produced prints of painted cars that look EXACTLY like their real-life counterparts. I don't see an "Officially Licensed by Ford, GM, and MOPAR" sticker on those prints. I'm not trying to get too technical, but I'm trying to make a point. I do understand what you mean by what I am doing is selling a service.
Mike,
I appreciate that you took the time to argue both sides. Most everyone else seems to think this issue is pretty one-sided. I know that the guys had no intention of profiting from the calenders. They have been very respectful of that.
If they wanted to turn a profit from my work, they could have done it long ago. Have I ever seen an invoice for the printing of the posters? No. I never had a doubt in my mind that Scott was being honest and not trying to turn a profit. I have met him in person and spoken with him on the phone. He's a stand-up guy and I trust him, despite only having met him a few times. In fact, the whole thing started because he was sitting at the same table as my girlfriend and I and she started talking to him. Scott had brought me over to PT.com as well way back when my 5th Gen Camaro hit the net. I can pretty much say that he and I go way back.
Back on topic though, I don't in any way think that the posters or the calender would serve more of a purpose than advertising for Scott and I. Where this whole mess started was when I mentioned that I would like a buck or two per calender. I have no problem letting that idea go, not at all. In fact, at this point, I encourage Scott and Jody to move forward with the idea and to let me know how I can help. Do I think it'd be nice to make an extra couple of bucks because I created the images? Yeah. Of course. But oh well. If this is going to be such a sore subject, I'll gladly step back and avoid having it get any uglier. I appreciate the good word-of-mouth that you guys have given me and I hope it continues to help me out. I don't want to lose any friends over some money.
I Jake dislikes me that much though, so be it, but hopefully he can see in this post that I am not just in it for money and that I am only human. The offer to watch me work still stands. If you're ever in my boring neck of the woods, call me and I'll let you sit in on one of my projects, including all the waiting I do and all the trial and error involved. Believe me, if it was only a matter of changing colors and wheels, I'd have more time to spend with my girlfriend.
That said, hopefully I have made amends where necessary and made my case on some issues.
The defense rests.
Kris
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