Respect artists copyright!
Spiraling, frustrated, angry, deflated
In a 24 hour period, I was alerted to the following:
- 1 woman created a copy* of my work and is teaching how to paint it step-by-step in her monthly subscription class (she is copying other artist's too and doesn't even have the integrity to acknowledge the original artists)
- 1 woman created a copy* of my work, posted it as her own and sold it
- Someone downloaded my work onto their computer and printed it onto merchandise
- 1 woman created a copy* of my work and is selling prints on Fine Art America and Pixel
If that little voice inside your head tells you that the original artist wouldn't be happy with you, listen to the little voice!
(and NO sorry - it isn't a complement when people copy your work for profit. It is disrespectful and degrading. It takes hundreds or thousands of hours to get to the point where an artist has a unique voice and creates a piece of art. It only takes a few hours for a copycat to replicate it.)
In case you wondered:
* Copy: a replica (to the best of the crafter's ability) of the artist's work. Someone looking at it not only says 'Hey, that looks like a Beverly Ash Gilbert painting', but they can also tell you which painting. Rules: You can only create this for your personal use. Do NOT sign it, nor post a photo, nor sell, nor teach a class. It is NOT your work - it is a copy of mine.
* 'Inspired by': you see my work or take a class and create a piece full of color with a woman or two dancing. You have only used my work as inspiration, but your painting looks nothing like mine. Others looking at the piece would not think it was mine, even though they might think it reminds them of mine. Rules: Sign it and post it with a hyperlink 'This work Inspired by...). Only sell it if it truly doesn't look like mine.
Do you want to know what happens when you do this (other than being in legal hot water) - you completely deflate the artist. Why should she spend all of those hours creating pieces of work when other people are the ones profiting by it?
Here is just one example...
Rant by Beverly Ash Gilbert
P.S. Thank you SO much to the wonderful women who alerted me to these issues!