Post #333697 by Tipsy McStagger on Thu, Sep 20, 2007 10:53 AM

On 2007-09-20 09:02, sputnikmoss wrote:

I agree with you Tipsy...comparing Warhol to Shag is a huge stretch. I guess my problem is that although Shag's stuff is cool..it's EVERYWHERE!And when you start seeing it on throw-away items like cards, napkins, coasters..it kind of loses its lustre. What's next Shag stuff in Happy Meals??

..okay i have to qualify what i am about to say next by stating that i think the shag marketing machine is an awesome force to be reckond with a that it's really great to see him as successful as he is...i'm actually jeaolous and i think most of us artists here are or your just lying to yourself....however...

..years ago before the shag marketing machine revved it's engines for the first time, i had asked him if (and this is back when he was producing only paintings) he was going to make any mass produced shag items...he responded by saying no cause he didn't want to cheapen his work by making it available in those types of products.....here we are years later...and there is the double edge sword of success....we want to keep our art true to form, but the possibility of making gobs of money is tempting, especially if one feels that we are on a roll and better make the money while we can before people lose interest and move on, which is why i can relate to shag's change of heart...he had no idea how popular he would be and has no idea how long it will last, so yeah, make all you can while you can...if folks are willing to keep buying the stuff he absolutley should keep plugging onward......it's hard to draw the line unless you, as an artist have absolute creative control over the aesthetic of every product that bears your images or name...it's just too demanding and hard to keep up with so the result sometimes takes the form of cheap things made in china....anyway, good for him.