tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6030744098884392568.comments2023-07-04T03:53:34.861-07:00the moon from my atticAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136337129934209874noreply@blogger.comBlogger403125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6030744098884392568.post-23216990012426647242013-04-18T02:57:24.390-07:002013-04-18T02:57:24.390-07:00I needed this this morning, Tara...thank you! I l...I needed this this morning, Tara...thank you! I laughed out loud at the overachieving artist watching Netflix and also about being with others at the show who actually understand what we do. As I get ready to open Photoshop at 5 am, this was better than coffee! See you in NYC.Terri Pumanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6030744098884392568.post-67113878133523372392013-04-16T11:23:20.155-07:002013-04-16T11:23:20.155-07:00Vanessa -
If you have the budget, I think the con...Vanessa -<br /><br />If you have the budget, I think the conferences will be well worth your time and money. A lot of effort goes into preparing them and they always get a great mix of people. You will get a solid background and the ability to ask questions of a variety of experts in the industry. <br /><br />Walking the show will be more visual and hit-or-miss with conversations. Remember, the artists exhibiting have spent a LOT of time and money to be there - so while most of us enjoy talking to new artists, our focus isn't on education but rather making connections for our businesses. <br /><br /> Your best learning experiences are in the classroom - look at walking the show as help deciding if you feel ready to exhibit and look at the many ways people display their art and set up their booths.<br /><br />TaraTara Reedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08466575410576591221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6030744098884392568.post-23514454787773713822013-04-16T07:45:18.002-07:002013-04-16T07:45:18.002-07:00This is my first year at SURTEX (booth #430!) and ...This is my first year at SURTEX (booth #430!) and boy did I appreciate hearing this advice right now. Thank you for the reality check and the reminder to keep things in perspective - I really needed it!Sarah Hudockhttp://lightheartedart.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6030744098884392568.post-89310520594038227412013-04-15T11:27:16.061-07:002013-04-15T11:27:16.061-07:00Thanks for the breakdown, Tara! I am headed to my ...Thanks for the breakdown, Tara! I am headed to my first Surtext this year, but only as an observer. I'm wondering if you have thoughts as to whether to workshops are worth the $$. There are a lot of topics I'm interested in, but I'm not sure if I'll get just as much out of roaming the show floor and talking to other artists. Any thoughts?<br /><br />Thanks so much--and good luck!<br />VanessaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6030744098884392568.post-67866322598691033732013-04-15T11:16:25.416-07:002013-04-15T11:16:25.416-07:00Awesome post! I can't wait until I'm read...Awesome post! I can't wait until I'm ready to take the leap. Thanks so much Alex and Tara. Have a great show!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16135196893642391014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6030744098884392568.post-60144687928121472412013-04-09T18:33:36.717-07:002013-04-09T18:33:36.717-07:00Substantial similarity is the standard of the cour...Substantial similarity is the standard of the court.<br />Jill Meyerhttp://www.jillmeyer.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6030744098884392568.post-82575086254188966272013-04-08T14:20:08.982-07:002013-04-08T14:20:08.982-07:00Thanks Alex and Jill, great post. This is a comple...Thanks Alex and Jill, great post. This is a complex topic and has been an ongoing issue that seems to be growing since <br />the age of technology. Here are some of my additional thoughts.<br /> <br />Perhaps, some artists are not aware, that ideas and themes are not copyrightable.<br />It is the expression of one's idea that is copyrightable. <br />For example , those of us who are designing for this market are working on the same themes all the time.<br />There is only so many original things you can do with these themes. In most cases, our originality comes from<br />the combination of motifs we are incorporating into a design, and the way we work with the colors, the textures<br />, the patterns and layouts . For example, if an art director gives a few artists the same assignment, something very specific <br />like paint a "Monarch Butterfly" and put that on a "White Ball Butterfly Bush" use a green background, use a realistic watercolor and put it on a 5 by 7 greeting card. <br />Although everyone's interpretation will be different if the artists are using a similar painting style, using the exact colors, it might appear that<br /> the designs look extremely similar and even copied. Perhaps no copying was involved. <br />One way you can tell if it was copied , Firstly start with the layout, study the layout to see if there are strong similarities.<br />You can look closely at all of the elements and details, for example, do the little petals look exactly the same in both images, you can even do this by counting<br />how many little petals in one motif, compared to another. There will always be similarities, but there will be nuances, that can be found<br />that might indicate a copy. <br /> <br />Something else to consider. Many artists who create artwork for licensing<br /> incorporate public domain material, and copyright free sources of art<br />into their works, some using these sources as the focal point of their design.<br />For example, if two artists use Redoute botanical artwork in their designs http://store.doverpublications.com/0486996069.html<br /> in order for them to copyright that design, they need to create something unique with the design. <br />This situation gets very tricky . Two artists can create a design using the same focal point and it can appear that there has been copying going on.<br />Another example, if you submit your designs to a manufacturer using public domain material<br /> providing the manufacturer knows the original source, and has verified that it is in the public domain,<br />they cannot go out and re-create your exact artwork in the way you have created it without infringing your copyright.<br />However what they can do is study that artwork and create their own version using the same motif you used as a central focal point.<br />So often this is the case, and the manufacture doesn't need to license your artwork. So when using public domain artwork<br />it is extremely important to do something very unique to differentiate yourself when using clipart.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6030744098884392568.post-38614584108351266502013-04-08T08:01:51.742-07:002013-04-08T08:01:51.742-07:00Good for you JC! It took me a lot longer to get o...Good for you JC! It took me a lot longer to get out of a contract that wasn't working for me... and after 20 years in the art industry - doing everything from publishing to licensing - I'm finally at the same point you are... work from my soul and not from somebody else's vision. Congratulations on being in a state of joy and peace with your art!Suenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6030744098884392568.post-69815764988661609972013-04-08T07:53:04.500-07:002013-04-08T07:53:04.500-07:00Great article. Great advice! I will look for you a...Great article. Great advice! I will look for you at Surtex. Have a great show!Cathy Hunthttp://www.cathyhuntstudio.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6030744098884392568.post-54852831935951109842013-04-08T07:20:43.479-07:002013-04-08T07:20:43.479-07:00Lovely Interview, I like Victorias work!Lovely Interview, I like Victorias work!Susan Driscollhttp://www.theprinttree.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6030744098884392568.post-20020414187717567692013-04-07T17:54:07.274-07:002013-04-07T17:54:07.274-07:00Thanks for the additional articles, Alex. Maria an...Thanks for the additional articles, Alex. Maria and Drew have learned the hard way how to protect their business and it's good they're vocal. You're busy. I'm busy. We're all busy, but this topic isn't going away and we need to learn all we can. I look forward to being further educated.Barbara https://www.blogger.com/profile/03754679277477196667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6030744098884392568.post-67668579192511867702013-04-07T11:40:46.206-07:002013-04-07T11:40:46.206-07:00Thank you all very much for your nice comments :)....Thank you all very much for your nice comments :). <br /><br />Hi Barbara - you totally get it and I am again encouraging other artists to protect their work and police the illegal use of their art. It's in your rights to ethically and legally pursue a copycat. But be sure it is indeed an infringement before taking actions!<br /><br />Here are a couple of links to Maria Brophy's articles that you might find useful:<br /><br />http://goo.gl/qO2TB and http://goo.gl/tc6Kq<br /><br />Alex <br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09136337129934209874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6030744098884392568.post-60963163694707082622013-04-06T19:18:26.566-07:002013-04-06T19:18:26.566-07:00Wow, very well said Jill! And thank you Alex for ...Wow, very well said Jill! And thank you Alex for bringing more light to this subject. I'm interested to learn more about some of the global aspects of copyright infringement and recourse and look forward to your future posts. Natalie Timmonshttp://www.natalietimmons.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6030744098884392568.post-18197566375846746102013-04-05T15:07:33.324-07:002013-04-05T15:07:33.324-07:00Thanks, Alex! I appreciate your article a lot &am...Thanks, Alex! I appreciate your article a lot & look forward to reading more on the subject.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16135196893642391014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6030744098884392568.post-50398693711541729262013-04-05T13:57:53.722-07:002013-04-05T13:57:53.722-07:00Alex, you deserve a lot of credit for addressing t...Alex, you deserve a lot of credit for addressing this issue. Thank you. By exploring the problem and means to resolve it you are helping people like Rachel and Jessica whose work has been so blatantly infringed upon. I'm concerned, too, that trusting artists, who post images on the net before they are copyrighted and licensed, are in jeopardy especially. <br /><br />Jill, thank you, too. Your explanations educate everyone involved. Those who copy should know that they are in danger of losing in court if there is a "substantial similarity" to the work they produce, especially if it's after the original work has a registered copyright. Sometimes, artists, whose work was copied for products, have gone without a lawyer right to the top person in charge of a store and had their problems resolved. Also, there are legal advocates for the arts who charge according to what an artist can afford, and win. <br /><br />Readers of this blog and article will appreciate your well meaning intention to encourage each of us to support and inform one another. Of course, there may always be those less than secure licensors who copy out of fear, etc. and licensees willing to gamble on them, but there's no satisfaction greater than creating from your own "vision, decency and integrity.".Barbara https://www.blogger.com/profile/03754679277477196667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6030744098884392568.post-80961729337520931822013-04-05T08:03:58.204-07:002013-04-05T08:03:58.204-07:00Great post Alex! Great post Alex! cathi mingus illustrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15717585236102581095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6030744098884392568.post-61367598306544249432013-04-05T01:13:08.462-07:002013-04-05T01:13:08.462-07:00Thanks for the great article Alex. Last month I re...Thanks for the great article Alex. Last month I read an interesting article from an Australian based arts lawyer about the dangers of posting about alleged design infringements on Facebook. It's such a tricky (and unknown) area to negotiate right now! The more information we share the better. <br />http://www.creativewomenscircle.com.au/type-sharon-givoni/Natalie Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08718195801777782803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6030744098884392568.post-39658551891665955012013-04-04T21:20:11.201-07:002013-04-04T21:20:11.201-07:00Debra V. is a very dynamic, talented artist! Congr...Debra V. is a very dynamic, talented artist! Congrats to her, she has worked very hard, used her God given talents and still is a nice person besides!Brenda Pinnickhttp://brendapinnick.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6030744098884392568.post-27036029996913368532013-04-04T08:50:25.621-07:002013-04-04T08:50:25.621-07:00Thank you Alex! I serious problem that needs to be...Thank you Alex! I serious problem that needs to be addressed and made public, I included your blog link to my recent article on copyright infringement, thank you!!MADART ~ Megan Aroon Duncansonhttp://www.duncansonart.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6030744098884392568.post-52561538176750898752013-03-25T22:18:48.810-07:002013-03-25T22:18:48.810-07:00Excellent interview, and fantastic advice! See yo...Excellent interview, and fantastic advice! See you both at Surtex!Carol Van Zandthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01573622599241166779noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6030744098884392568.post-73413148942787143842013-03-25T15:04:18.316-07:002013-03-25T15:04:18.316-07:00I too have taken three of Michelle's classes.....I too have taken three of Michelle's classes... They are fabulous! And Michelle is a wonderful teacher! Her classes definitely put me on the right track to the world of surface design. Everyone interested in the world of surface design should taker Michelle's classes ans keep up with what she's got goin on over at Pattern Observer.<br /><br />Thanks Alex, for spreading goodness to surface designers!<br /><br />Rachel FontenotRachel Fontenothttp://rachelfontenot.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6030744098884392568.post-67927483661131525282013-03-25T09:50:50.006-07:002013-03-25T09:50:50.006-07:00Debra is a shining star! Her work is magnificent,...Debra is a shining star! Her work is magnificent, and she is the most charming , delightful and generous person one could ever hope to meet! Watch her soar! <br />XO Debra!Jill Meyerhttp://www.jillmeyer.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6030744098884392568.post-25455907970107906352013-03-24T16:22:34.355-07:002013-03-24T16:22:34.355-07:00Very nice Rose, great interview.Very nice Rose, great interview.Susan Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16547716258556985359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6030744098884392568.post-22475589765221330992013-03-22T17:22:44.778-07:002013-03-22T17:22:44.778-07:00Love the interview. Laura's classes are wonde...Love the interview. Laura's classes are wonderful!Cathy at Paper Garden Projectshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01804140934271480415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6030744098884392568.post-73105594971921414762013-03-22T16:58:09.866-07:002013-03-22T16:58:09.866-07:00What a heart wrenching tale with an inspiring endi...What a heart wrenching tale with an inspiring ending. The first warning sign was when the agent urged you to change your style, which is the very thing the manufacturer fell in love with. Such a shame. Now you're following your heart and your own internal guidance and I bet that leads to more rewarding things. I very much appreciate being able to learn from your experience and wish you the very best.Natalie Timmonshttp://www.natalietimmons.comnoreply@blogger.com