Open Letter To All Tiki Centralites From Squid - General Tiki

S squid Member Joined: Sep 30, 2002 Posts: 1462	S squid Posted posted on Fri, Mar 13, 2009 12:09 AM Aloha Friends. I would like to express my appreciation to Jay Strongman for writing "Tiki Mugs: Cult Artifacts of Polynesian Pop", a beautiful book that showcases all of the talented mug artists in our community. I am so proud to have my work included in Jay's book which provides the greatest hope for expanding the Tiki world to a broader market. It may mean the difference between survival or starvation to my many artist friends in this community considering the current state of economic affairs. As General Editor on Jay's fine new book, Holden Westland (President of Tiki Farm) had an obligation to perform due diligence to insure accuracy prior to publication. I was surprised to see that he neglected to correct the misstatements contained in the book referring to me as "Tiki Farm's Dave 'Squid' Cohen", and his failing to recognize me as in independent artist and mug manufacturer rather than an employee of his company. I have not been employed by Tiki Farm for nearly a decade. Unfortunately, over the years, the misconception that I am an employee of Tiki Farm has been perpetuated by Tiki Farm and others. I am compelled to clarify the situation at this point and believe that Tiki Central is the most effective way to reach our community. I have not been directly involved with Tiki Farm since 2001. The extent of my involvement has been the licensing of my designs to them for reproduction. I have sculpted other artists' designs for them on a freelance basis only until the beginning of this year when I decided to cease working with Tiki Farm altogether. I was also disappointed with Holden's editorial oversight in the omission of my name and website, http://www.squidart.com, operational since 1998, from the Appendix, as well as failing to credit me as the artist on several mugs I designed and sculpted which are pictured in the book. I will be working with the publisher and Jay to resolve the inaccuracies and omissions in the book in the coming weeks. I hope that this clarifies, within our community, the circumstances of my association with Tiki Farm, and I welcome your questions. You can reach me via PM or e-mail, dave[at]squidart.com.

Aloha Friends.

I would like to express my appreciation to Jay Strongman for writing "Tiki Mugs: Cult Artifacts of Polynesian Pop", a beautiful book that showcases all of the talented mug artists in our community. I am so proud to have my work included in Jay's book which provides the greatest hope for expanding the Tiki world to a broader market. It may mean the difference between survival or starvation to my many artist friends in this community considering the current state of economic affairs.

As General Editor on Jay's fine new book, Holden Westland (President of Tiki Farm) had an obligation to perform due diligence to insure accuracy prior to publication. I was surprised to see that he neglected to correct the misstatements contained in the book referring to me as "Tiki Farm's Dave 'Squid' Cohen", and his failing to recognize me as in independent artist and mug manufacturer rather than an employee of his company. I have not been employed by Tiki Farm for nearly a decade.

Unfortunately, over the years, the misconception that I am an employee of Tiki Farm has been perpetuated by Tiki Farm and others. I am compelled to clarify the situation at this point and believe that Tiki Central is the most effective way to reach our community.

I have not been directly involved with Tiki Farm since 2001. The extent of my involvement has been the licensing of my designs to them for reproduction. I have sculpted other artists' designs for them on a freelance basis only until the beginning of this year when I decided to cease working with Tiki Farm altogether.

I was also disappointed with Holden's editorial oversight in the omission of my name and website, http://www.squidart.com, operational since 1998, from the Appendix, as well as failing to credit me as the artist on several mugs I designed and sculpted which are pictured in the book.

I will be working with the publisher and Jay to resolve the inaccuracies and omissions in the book in the coming weeks. I hope that this clarifies, within our community, the circumstances of my association with Tiki Farm, and I welcome your questions. You can reach me via PM or e-mail, dave[at]squidart.com.

Post #439652 by squid on Fri, Mar 13, 2009 12:09 AM