Is it normal, that i'm scared to share my art?

88% Normal
20 Comments

Is it normal, that I'm scared to share my art/poetry with people?

It's not like my art consists of porn, it's just that I'm worried that no one will like it or someone may steal them... Most of my friends have posted their work on the internet and they've been urging me to do so, but I can't seem to shake this fear....

I'm worried about licensing, but just because I license it doesn't mean that people won't try to steal it... My art and poetry are very deep and complex. I've literally poured my soul into them and that's why I know that I have to get over this and share them.

I want to be remembered when I die and not to fade like dirt in water....

Is my fear normal or am I the only person who has this fear?

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88% Normal
Based on 73 votes (64 yes)
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Comments ( 20 )
  • taciturn
    12 years ago

    I'm a musician, and I threw away any qualms I had with stealing a long time ago. To me, the mere fact that it is so personal to me makes it more enjoyable and powerful to share it with others and let them take what they want from it. If they want to take a lesson from it, that's great. If they want to take an aesthetic experience (good or bad), cool. If they want to take a catchy hook they like and use it, awesome. Art means nothing on an island.

    You're afraid of people stealing your work because you think of it as only your work. Keep in mind that the words and ideas pouring from you were nudged and swayed by a countless number of people you know or have talked to, or whose works you've read or seen or heard. That patchwork of ideas is really the beauty of humankind, with art at the pinnacle. So why are you afraid of touching others?

    As for making a legacy - humans may remember you down the line, but the universe won't remember humans when we're gone. Everything is transitory. If it wasn't, would it be as beautiful?

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    • Avant-Garde
      12 years ago

      Thank you, for your deep insight on this:D

      I'll create an art blog.

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  • graphic_nature
    12 years ago

    Copyright your work or post it with a watermark.

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    • Avant-Garde
      12 years ago

      Actually, how do you even get a watermark?

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    • Avant-Garde
      12 years ago

      The only way I can copyright is with creative commons from flickr. I figure if I have that then even if I don't have it on my art blog then It should be fine...

      Stick the notice that I own absolutely everything on the site unless stated otherwise....

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  • [Old Memory]
    12 years ago

    When you show your art you're showing the deepest parts of yourself to those who might criticize and cut it.

    So yeah it's normal. But CHOOSE to share it anyway.

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    • Avant-Garde
      12 years ago

      Thank you, I'll do it now:)

      And then post the link:)

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      • Avant-Garde
        12 years ago

        Flickr won't work for some reason.....

        I'll just create an art blog on tumblr and post the link:)

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  • indecisive
    12 years ago

    I've been just uncomfortable with it cuz i dont like to open up. I know my sis is a better artist so i see mine not as good, and thry would critisize. But dang it if you poured your soul out then show it all. Everyone likes to see others thoughts and feelings.

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    • Avant-Garde
      12 years ago

      I don't like to open up. I even have a hard time opening up day to day...
      I'm sure your work is very good. Even the greatest of artists are still learning how to prefect their art. Who knows? The dead ones might even be trying to prefect their craft in the afterlife.

      I agree. Peoples thoughts and feeling are very complex things. You can learn allot about a person from their interests. I guess people will understand more about me if I bare my soul to the world...

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      • indecisive
        12 years ago

        It's very difficult to open up, for me i just don't feel the need to share everything. But i like to know what everyone feels you learn from that. I remember when i was small i would just look at people and try to get in their head, weird, but it was my way. But Books, poems, art, and especially music even without words. Is amazing i do that more now. And also when im at school their expression it shows a lot. You learn about others and more of yourself it helps.

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  • squirrelgirl
    12 years ago

    I understand how you feel. I actually have posted my work online before, and people have shown an interest in it, but I always wind up deleting it a short time later because I'm scared of trolls finding it. However, I'm not scared of anyone stealing my work because I don't think I'm very good at what I do...

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    • Avant-Garde
      12 years ago

      I'm sure your art is beautiful:)

      Why don't you do what I'm going to do and get a flickr?
      It has Creative Commons and you can pick out a licensing and everything.
      Also, I hear the community is quite supportive:)

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  • [Old Memory]
    12 years ago

    Just don't worry about it. Life is about taking risks. I'm sure your art and poetry is amazing and worth being shared.

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    • Avant-Garde
      12 years ago

      Thank you:)

      I've been stressing myself out for years over this...
      I even have inadvertently delayed my art college from the postal...

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  • [Old Memory]
    12 years ago

    If you keep acting like this no one will know that you were a great artist/poet. Unless your friends decide to post your artwork and poetry online after you die and you become engraved in history, like Emily Dickinson. I suggests that you just go on deviantart and post what you got. If people like it then give them more. If anyone steals your work then sue the person and make a profit. I don't believe that you have much to worry about. The only concern that you should have is criticism, but you'll never know if you have good artwork if you don't let others evaluate it.

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    • Avant-Garde
      12 years ago

      Thank you:)

      I once had a deviant art, but there isn't a license system, so I'm getting flickr.
      You are very kind and very insightful... I've haven't even shared my work with friends really. I really want to do these things before the year is up... I don't really know what kind of licensing I should get though... Also, the main problem is that most of my family can't know that I'm doing this.

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      • [Old Memory]
        12 years ago

        Hey Avant- Garde. How's life?

        Why can't your family know about your artwork? They would probably be proud of you if they knew that you were an artist/poet.

        Also, you mentioned in another comment that your friends are very supportive so I think that maybe you should show them your work. I think they would love it.

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        • Avant-Garde
          12 years ago

          My life's alright at moment. You?

          Most of my family is strongly against networking and knowing people online.
          Knowing them, they might try to get rid of my profiles or worse, that is if they knew. My family is very negative and religious. Anything, that has nothing to do is god is considered "evil".

          I'd love to share my work with everyone including the users on here:)

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          • [Old Memory]
            12 years ago

            My life is pretty good at the moment.

            Honestly your family sounds pretty strict. Do you have your own computer? If so you could make sure that only you use the comp. and update your website with your artwork.

            I don't think that you should brag about your artwork around your family. However, you could set up an account on some art website and share the link here, like in the form of a poll. Make a poll that includes links to your artwork and just see if people like it. I think that a lot of people would love to see your artwork, including myself.

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