How does it feel when your work gets mistreated? have any situation to share

[littlefox]

I will begin with myself, it haunts me, this one single incident from my middle school. There was this classwise art competition the theme was nature in my school. I wasn't that good in studies, I always failed to submit my homework in time and my marks were between 75 to 85 % which was considered an utter shame in my school I guess and I always failed in maths. Naturally the teachers used to see me as an eyesore. So I was eager to take the opportunity. And there I was pouring my soul into the painting. A watercolor painting of a green bird on a tree branch. I used different patterns and shades to make it look good. Before submitting our work we showed our work to each other.Though it was not as good as my current paintings it looked godly compared to my classmates work. Everybody was convinced that I would win.
On the day of results I was excited, I was so happy thinking I will no longer be treated as trash as I was going to win the competition. But the award was given to someone else and the worst thing, I saw her painting, it was a crayon scribble, a few triangles that represented mountains a square and a triangle that represented a hut and a stick figure. And I felt so betrayed. I wasn't going to get the painting back too as I knew the school would have probably thrown all those away. That girl was my best friend but things were never the same between us from then on. I despised her from my very core even though I knew it wasn't her fault. Those old hags and geezers ruined our two years of friendship.

[VibrantFox]

i think after having had such a rough time in my middle and high school art classes i don't think much could phase me now. Like I might be a little upset or offended but I guess it would depend on how far one goes in terms of "mistreating a work"

I've already dealt with separate incidents of tracing as well as theft but nothing much beyond those two accounts so I'd like to think I've a pretty tough skin to not take things personally or be bothered much. There's definitely certain lines I have drawn in terms of what i will or wont tolerate from an audience but i also know people r gonna do what they want so all i can do is hope for the best and prepare for whatever comes and like having my work undervalued while it can be painful doesn't bug me cause i know lots of folks will have situations where they're intentionally overlooked so the best that can really be done is to maintain enough confidence in oneself and push ahead.

As for what you went through it definitely sounds awful and worse yet that a friendship had come to ruin but hopefully things can improve as you go along in life

[Kaydreamer]

That girl was my best friend but things were never the same between us from then on. I despised her from my very core even though I knew it wasn't her fault. Those old hags and geezers ruined our two years of friendship.

Sorry to say, but that wasn't the teachers' fault. They may have made a crappy decision, but you ruined your friendship. You said yourself you knew it wasn't her fault. As such, it was your responsibility to overcome your hurt feelings and jealousy. You can't control the outcome of a competition, but you can control your behaviour. Granted, that's really hard to do when you're a middle schooler - but now that you're older, it's important to accept fault, so you don't one day repeat the same mistake with another friend.

As for the topic of the thread, I've definitely experienced some jealousy and frustration over my years of posting art online. I've been at this for over a decade, yet never received much traction despite having nice-looking work. I knew the reason for it - I've always been more interested in drawing my own OC's, and it's harder to grow an audience that way. I don't participate much in fandom, and those things I am a fan of don't typically have much of a following, so the little bit of fanart I have made never got really popular. Even so, seeing other artists of a similar skill level to myself earning good money with a healthy sized audience did sting.

Nevertheless, I didn't let that stop me from drawing, and I certainly never took it out on the artists I envied. They'd earned their popularity. I needed to find my own niche.

[Legendofgenii]

You were a kid and still working stuff out. I wouldn’t punish yourself for it.

[littlefox]

Yeah I know I ruined the friendship myself, I was a stupid kid what do u expect from a 13 year old . Bug it wasn't that harsh as you think I didn't mistreated her or anything I just didn't felt the connection anymore. We were still friends like normal but deep inside I hated her and to be frank I still regret doing that especially when the last words she said after transferring to other school was that I was the best and the truest friend she ever had. I agree with you there.

[doublemelon]

Those old hags must have had miserable lives to take it out on kids.

[VibrantFox]

Those old hags must have had miserable lives to take it out on kids

it honestly reminded me of my middle school art teacher's words when i was looking to go to an art focused high school where rather than encouraging me they simply asked "are you sure you can" and while it was a simple question it took hold of my own preexisting self doubt and amplified it so i think a lot of "old hags" could stand to do better by the kids their responsible for teaching.

i also never went but looking at the bigger picture i've at least made it to where i am now which isn't half bad and i think i can safely say i've made the younger me somewhat proud

[DesiredUsernameTaken]

Hmm... I haven't actually shared stories for a long time, so I can't think of many instances of "mistreatment".

One time, my friend (relationship currently on the rocks) gushed about how excited she was, waiting to read my new novel. Eventually, I sent her some chapters and she never touched them. Didn't even message back to say she was busy or anything. But she'd opt to read other things--literally anything but what I sent her.

If it's not your cup of tea, tell me that. If you hate it and can't continue because you think it's that bad, tell me that. I told her I could take it and she's had plenty of proof to believe that I'm a tough nut to crack. At the very, very, very least, say "I read it." and leave it at that?

Instead, there's only been silence. The not-even-crickets-are-singing silence. I've learned it's best to just not take anyone's excitement seriously anymore--saves me the disappointment.

Your dilemma from years ago sounds reminiscent of how many artists feel regarding abstract contemporary art, where a painting of a single square or some splatters on a wall makes it to a prized art exhibit. It sucks that your friendship soured.

[littlefox]

We all have that friend. You are not the only one. I will get old by the time my friend watches the anime I recommend her because she asked it herself.

[NickRowler]

As someone who had entered a lot of competitions in middle and high school, I will say that you will eventually get over it.

I have had art pieces which I have summited and didn't photocopy/photograph and I have yet to see them to this day (even when I won). I have also had my work shipped back to me. Some contests will do that, but sometimes you can try to call and request it.

It sometimes best not to get too bitter or competitive over these things. A lot of them are just suppose to be for fun and you should be supportive of your friend. Because image if you won and she didn't, she would of felt how you felt when you lost. it's not really the "hags and geezers" fault, that is just how contests work, someone wins and most people lose.

[littlefox]

I am over it years ago. It's just I saw some guy reposting painter of the night illegally and made me feel bad for the creator, and reminded me of this incident, so I wanted to hear about other artists experiences.

[GumshoeComix]

I was in one of those contests before, they tend to praise whoever thinks outside the box the most.
I won my contest (in the 6th grader category )cause I asked my teacher if I could go off theme and draw something else instead.
There was probably a lot of art that was wayyyy better than mine but they just pick who goes against the mold.

[littlefox]

I didn't post it to make myself feel better I am over that incident already .like it was years ago. And my schoolmwas all politics, student politics, teacher politics, hate towards the martial arts student due to some unknown history of that 40 year old rotten school. But this thread is about how your work. got mistreated, like copied, or disrespected. And that painting is no unique thing the place I am from every child's paint book is filled with the exact same drawing god knows why, I have seen it so many times that I feel like killing everyone who show it to me.

[DesiredUsernameTaken]

But this thread is about how your work. got mistreated, like copied, or disrespected.

It might help to edit your title and put in a question mark ^^. "How does it feel when your work gets mistreated?" or even "What are some situations where your work was mistreated?". I had a topic that seemed more like a statement, or a title, as opposed to a question, and it wasn't until I changed it to be more clear that there was more engagement. Sometimes people (including me) only have the time to answer, but not read all of the responses in a thread .

[HGohwell]

But this thread is about how your work. got mistreated, like copied, or disrespected.

I'm just really curious what you consider these things? Like ok, copied has an easy enough description and reposting isn't nice. But when I looked at "mistreated" then looked at your example I got really confused. I've read the entire thread and apart from reposting/copying I'm still not sure what you consider mistreating a work? You're example reads like (and this is going to sound harsh, I'm sorry in advance) "I didn't win a competition I felt entitled to win!". Is that mistreatment? We've all lost competitions we thought we were going to win, that's the nature of competition. The internet (and Tapas) are full of people who think their work is better than the stuff getting attention. Is that what this thread is actually about? Because that's a valid subject a lot of use struggle with but I wouldn't call it mistreatment.

I'm sorry, I'm just confused as to what you consider mistreatment here?

[LadyLily]

There have been incidents off and on throughout my life with my art and my writing, but nothing stayed with me like when I was in 10th grade.

Our school was having a spirit contest for Homecoming week. If you're not American, Homecoming is about football (American football) and really ridiculous, to be honest. During Spirit Week, each classroom had to decorate their door to show support for the school and the football team. No one else in my class wanted to do it, so I volunteered.

I drew this life-sized Trojan soldier for the door. Our mascot was a Trojan soldier. Everyone was impressed and the school superintendent was so impressed, he wanted to use my art to replace the current logo and art on all of their banners, merchandise, etc...

Of course, being fifteen, I was ecstatic! I had never been important to anyone, and now something I created would be official and recognized for future generations. Friends started telling me I would even make money because it was my creation. I had always wanted to be an artist as a career, so this just made me so freaking happy!

Well, when this was brought up in class and mentioned to others in the teaching staff, I was called into the principal's office. He, the superintendent, and the vice principal were all waiting for me. I thought this was going to be a happy moment for me. Instead, I was told that if I believe I was getting paid for my work, I was mistaken. They didn't owe me anything, not even credit. I was a student and anything I created on school grounds and for the school was automatically their property.

I was devastated. They treated me like I was doing something wrong for being happy my art was being appreciated. I tried to play it off and said, "No, it's okay, I'm just happy you like it." They escorted me out and I was so ashamed of being treated that way, I ended up going home with a sick stomach.

I told my dad but he never cared. He said no, they didn't have the legal right to do that but that I had to get used to it because this was the real world.

It was many years ago. The school went way down over the years. The mascot was changed about 10 years or more ago because "Trojan" was "offensive," especially at a Catholic school (LOL). It still sticks with me because how hurt I was and how alone and bullied I felt in that office. A 15 year old girl sitting in a chair surrounded by three large men telling me my work was good enough for them to profit from but I was worthless as a student and a person.

[DesiredUsernameTaken]

Well, when this was brought up in class and mentioned to others in the teaching staff, I was called into the principal's office. He, the superintendent, and the vice principal were all waiting for me. I thought this was going to be a happy moment for me. Instead, I was told that if I believe I was getting paid for my work, I was mistaken.

Oh my gosh, the anxiety that gives as a kid. Oo that stresses me out thinking about it.

It is so scummy they'd dare tell a kid that your artwork doesn't even belong to you, literally lying about the law. And it's a CATHOLIC school? Morals and ethics, much!? How backwards!

he mascot was changed about 10 years or more ago because "Trojan" was "offensive," especially at a Catholic school (LOL).

This is hilarious.

[rajillustration]

I was a student and anything I created on school grounds and for the school was automatically their property.

This is a real big problem even at the university level. Really a shame. Students deserve to be compensated.

[sensibleshroom]

For me personally, my parents always supported my writing, but it was a "secondary career". Not something I should aspire to, which is fine and understandable from a certain point of view. That's why I'm working on getting IT certifications now. That changed a lot as I got older. My dad doesn't think I should write at all, and believes it contributes to my "mental unwellness". My mother... Once I started writing LGBT+ focused things, that started exploring concepts of difficult relationships with family, she hated it. I can't show them any of my work now because they automatically assume it's about them and start a fight over it, when in reality, messy family situations just make for good stories. My work is no longer appropriate to discuss in front of my younger siblings, even when the characters being LGBT+ has very little to do with the stories themselves. I'm told even by my dad my stuff isn't "marketable", which backs up just about everything I hear, but to me, marketability shouldn't matter so long as I keep my integrity. Marketability is just a set of rules everyone is afraid to break out from, anyways. To a lot of people, it doesn't matter how well I write. All that matters is that I'm writing the right things, and I hear it a lot from just about... everyone. So I just stopped talking about it and telling people the truth. I just get told a lot that my "talent" or whatever is wasted, but whatever. My talent would be wasted writing things I don't want to write, too. Might as well waste it in a meaningful way.

[Ordinaryaverageguy]

As such, it was your responsibility to overcome your hurt feelings and jealousy. You can't control the outcome of a competition, but you can control your behaviour.

I know I'm going a bit off-topic, too, but I'd just like to add that feelings & behavior aren't the same.

To put myself in their shoes a moment, even if I treated that old friend just like nothing had happened (behavior), something did happen and it changed feelings. She would forever remind me of the insult from the judges. Worse still, perhaps, if she didn't speak to me of that, believed she deserved the prize, then I'd know she, too, didn't value my effort. My perception of her would be altered.

When it comes to relationships, there are some things that, when said or done, cannot ever be completely forgotten or the feelings it brought erased.

That's all I wanted to add. If anyone disagrees, just disagree & dismiss me for an idiot instead of taking the thread further afield than I've done already.