The Studio Source.com

Image of megaphone sculpture by istolethetv

To speak out or not to speak out
Yesterday The Studio Source went dark as part of the protest against SOPA and PIPA anti-piracy legislation in the United States.

I almost didn’t participate.

 A couple of online friends asked if I’d be part of the strike. I’d already scanned an article on how to make the adjustments to my site, saw a bit of code, and moved on.

“I can’t do much but be in the cheering section,” I said, “but I’m watching developments. It will affect Canadians, too.”

It seemed like a reasonable response. But it wasn’t the truth.

Several years ago Brita (the company that makes water filters) produced a truly appalling TV ad. It showed a glass of water draining at the sound of a toilet flushing, then showed the glass refilling. The caption at the end of the ad read, “Tap and toilet water come from the same source.”

I’m acutely aware of that fact.

Not because I drink waste water, because I flush my toilet with water that comes from my well.

With drinking water. Just like most people in the developed world.

I deeply resent this kind of manipulative marketing. It insults my intelligence. And it sends a lousy message.

I’m supposed to be officially on hiatus for the summer, but I had a half-finished post in the works, which fits nicely between two guest posts, so here I am, breaking curfew.

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I spent the afternoon with a painter friend recently. We talked about her work, about our time in art school (same university, different years), about teaching and drawing, and what it means to be an artist.

We even talked a little about business. But not much.

Not much business talk was necessary. She does great work, and she knows what she needs to do to build her career. How, when, and if she does it is up to her.

You have those same choices.

All that freedom can hang you up sometimes.