Okay I really hate these posts, so I avoid them as much as I can, but I just have to write how I feel about Greg Gossel. I’m sure he’s a great guy, but his work is just too much like Faile‘s. Today, Arrested Motion posted an interview with Gossel, and Gossel even addressed this concern of mine, so I must say that’s nice of him.
Here’s what was said:
AM: While I don’t take chat room bickering and pigeon-holing seriously, you have been referred to as “the poor man’s Faile”, what are your thoughts on this comparison and on artistic influences in general?
GG: Yeah, to be honest, that’s something that definitely bothered me when I initially heard things like that, but these days I really try not to pay too much attention to a lot of that stuff. Those guys do great work and have been very successful with a really recognizable style. I understand that there are some obvious stylistic similarities between their work and my own, so I see how the comparison is made. I think it’s human nature to make comparisons, whether it be art, music, or anything else. I’m the same way when listening to an album, or checking out a new artist, so I think it just kind of comes with the territory that if you’re creating work and putting yourself out there, you’re always subject to those types of comparisons and criticisms. There are some people out there who spend a bit of time online checking out my work, and would rather label me as some sort of imitation of Faile, rather than take the time to learn much about my past work or how I got to where I am today. But ultimately, I know that my own work will continue to change and evolve over time as it has over the past 5 years, so I really just try to stay focused on continuing in my own direction, and not worry too much about some of the negativity and criticisms that are floating around out there.
So that’s Gossel’s view of the situation. I’m going to assume most readers are familar with Faile’s work. Otherwise, you can look here. Now, Faile’s influences aren’t that hard to spot either, but just have a look at Gossel’s work:
Okay, so that piece is pretty influenced by Faile, but his latest work, which can be seen in that Arrested Motion interview, is the sort of thing that could actually be mistaken for early Faile work. I really don’t like the idea that this guy’s work is looking more and more like Faile. Maybe that’s just me though.