tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1074074472628460852024-03-13T14:50:21.339-05:00Art Licensing InformationSharing what is happening and what I come across in the world of Art Licensing. Sprinkled with some personal stuff. -AnnieAnnie - http://www.blogger.com/profile/10394158441508885491noreply@blogger.comBlogger243125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107407447262846085.post-2385159243598700982017-09-08T11:32:00.000-05:002017-09-15T12:52:20.230-05:00Ronnie Walter Talks About Making Money with Art Licensing and MORE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Hey Ronnie! I consider you my go to person for all things art licensing. Would you take a minute and give us a little background on you for our readers?</b><br />
Of course—I’m a licensed artist, writer, and also an art business coach and teacher. After getting my BFA I worked a variety of jobs in my quest - I worked in the ad department at a major retailer, sold color separations back when there was such a thing, became a staff illustrator and then Art Director at a stationery company, and then finally went out on my own as a freelance illustrator twenty-some years ago. In 2000, I formed Two town Studios with my husband Jim Marcotte, and we worked as licensing agents for a number of artists and properties for the next 16 years. I’ve licensed my art on all kinds of products including fabric, giftware, home goods, stationery, greeting cards and more. I am the creator and illustrator of the 17 Coloring Café coloring books, and have self- published and traditionally published a number of both fiction and non-fiction books including <a href="http://ronniewalter.com/license-to-draw/" target="_blank"><b>License to Draw</b></a>. I tend to keep busy!<br />
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I like to think that my art led to writing, my writing led to coaching, and my coaching has now led me to teaching! It goes to show you that if you keep moving forward, our creative careers are ever-evolving and endlessly interesting! But as much as I love all of it, my first love has always been drawing, and coming up with interesting concepts to help people say the things they might not be able to say on their own—and that will never change! <br />
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<b>I hear that you have a new service you are offering? Tell us a bit about it.</b><br />
A few things are happening simultaneously around here!<br />
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I launched the first in my series of classes on Skillshare.com. <a href="https://www.skillshare.com/classes/How-to-Make-Money-with-Art-Licensing/308496316" target="_blank"><b>How to Make Money with Art Licensing</b></a> <b></b>is live now and is designed for artists to understand the basic details of the business—everything you need to find out if this is the best way to monetize your art, and how to get started doing it. It's an easy format, and it will only take you a little over an hour to go through the videos. An hour chock full of information!<br />
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I am also launching a live, multi-week class called <a href="http://ronniewalter.com/the-licensing-ladder-now-open/" target="_blank"><b>The Licensing Ladder</b></a>. It’s a more intensive class, positioned for artists that feel confidence in their art and portfolios (for the most part; I totally understand how a portfolio moves and changes as we do), but who are hesitating—or are flat out chickening out—and not getting their art in front of the clients who can license it. It's also for artists who may have had some traction, but feel like they are not hitting the right product categories or right potential clients.<br />
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I was not a natural salesperson, but once I decided that licensing was the right method to make money freelancing with my art I had to devise systems that got me in front of decision makers. I also needed a system to keep me confident so I wouldn’t panic each time I was ready to contact a new client. Participants in The Licensing Ladder will learn these systems—ways to identify your right clients, and then communicate with them in a manner that feels comfortable and not all “salesy”. <span style="color: #741b47;"><b>(NOTE: Check with Ronnie on dates for The Licensing Ladder - Hurricane Irma has postponed it)</b></span><br />
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And there one more project I'm excited about. Over the past year or so I have been working on a planner specifically designed with people like us in mind. It’s called the <b>Next!</b> <b>Planner for the Creative and Active Mind</b>. I’ve gone through a beta testing period with a group of artists and creatives, and right now I’m putting the finishing touches on the publication copy. I also use it personally and love it - it works! It will be officially published in the next few weeks—don’t worry, I’ll let everyone know when it's out!<br />
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<b>What types of things do you cover in the Licensing Ladder?</b><br />
In The Licensing Ladder, I first help the participants identify key components of their work. Once we have that, we discover the product categories most likely to bring success, and then go through the steps to determine what manufacturers might best suit them. It’s a standardized, step by step repeatable process, and it works whether the artist is looking for clients or an agent. It’s worked for me, and it’s also working for the artists who tested the class with the me this summer.<br />
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One of the important features of this class is that it’s a live on-line class—so there’s lots of opportunity for interaction between me and the group as well as time for questions and answers. We DO actually talk about it! Because of that, I’m limiting it to 12 students so I can give maximum attention to everyone. All the details are on my website.<br />
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<b>How do I (and our readers) know if this is a fit for me and what is the cost? </b><br />
I wrote a blog post to help people decide which of the classes are right for them. (<b><a href="http://ronniewalter.com/this-one-or-that-one/" target="_blank">Read it here</a></b>.) Even if you have been around the licensing world for a while the Skillshare class (How to Make Money with Art Licensing) is a great refresher. <br />
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If you think you're ready to launch in licensing (or have already) and really want to see results for the hard work you’ve done on that portfolio, then The Licensing Ladder is for you!<br />
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<b>Do you offer any follow up or support after I finish the class?</b><br />
Why, funny you should ask because yes, I do! Each Licensing Ladder class will have their own private Facebook group, plus, after the 5 week class is over we will get together again in online live sessions at 30, 60, and 90 days so you don’t lose momentum once the lessons are over. They actually turn into reunion type of events because the class participants have become friends and are very supportive of each other.<br />
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<b>Do you want to talk about Jim’s expertise/skills at all?</b><br />
Jim? Jim who? Actually, I do! After our years working together as Two Town Studios we have developed a shorthand type of communication and collaboration. He weighs in on our overall strategy and helps behind the scenes on much of what we do, thank goodness! Not only does he know this business, he is an accomplished copywriter and editor, and is very good at polishing all of our marketing, communication and production copy. He also does that for some other established artists in the business - but he hasn't marketed that much, nor does he kiss and tell. If you need a sticky client or contract question answered, or a letter, sales or web copy written, he's your guy. I'm so lucky to have him. And Larry (the greatest rescue dog ever) too.<br />
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I thank my lucky stars every day to be living this life and doing the kind of work I love.<br />
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Find Ronnie<a href="http://ronniewalter.com/" target="_blank">http://ronniewalter.com</a><br />
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<span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Coming up! Ronnie will be joining my <b>2nd Thursday chat group</b>, October 12th, 6:30 pm CST, on<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a class="" href="http://artlicensingshow.com/" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank">ArtLicensingShow.com</a><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> . Answering questions around time management and more! Please join us, it is always a fun and interesting time :-D</span><br />
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Annie - http://www.blogger.com/profile/10394158441508885491noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107407447262846085.post-32158589734590011192017-08-25T12:26:00.003-05:002017-08-25T12:26:24.834-05:00Bo's bLAWg - Performance Provision<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.52400016784668px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">MJ
Bogatin (“Bo”) of Bogatin, Corman & Gold, is an Arts and
Entertainment Attorney in San Francisco. He is also a long-time President of
California Lawyers for the Arts. <a href="http://www.calawyersforthearts.org/" target="_blank">www.calawyersforthearts.org</a><a href="http://www.calawyersforthearts.org/" style="color: #af4040; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">.</a> Bo is available to answer some of your questions surrounding the business of Art Licensing. - THANKS BO!</span></i></span><br />
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<i><b>Dear Bo, <br />I licensed some illustrations to a group that provides imagery to manufacturers. Only one license was ever entered into to my knowledge. It was provided on an exclusive basis! My agents indicate that to their knowledge my illustration was never used on products as anticipated. I want to leave this licensing group and recover rights to my illustration. What are my rights? Hillary</b></i><br />
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Dear Hillary,<br />
There are a number of issues included in your question. I cannot answer any of them definitively without looking at the existing contracts, but they are good for this bLAWg!<br />
Here is how I would approach the matter.<br />
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First, I would look for the Performance Provisions of each contract, the one with your Agent group and with the manufacturer. I would hope that you did not sign up long-term with this Agent without there being some minimum level of success with respect to licensing of your illustrations in particular. Back in October of 2015 I discussed the use of “Minimum Thresholds” to insure that a manufacturer was making adequate use of your illustrations for the ongoing benefit of each party. (see <a href="http://annietroe.blogspot.com/2015/10/bos-blawg-get-back-your-rights-royalty.html" target="_blank">http://annietroe.blogspot.com/2015/10/bos-blawg-get-back-your-rights-royalty.html</a>)<br />
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The same kind of Minimum Threshold approach can be used with an Agent. They may need rights without minimum earnings for a year to ‘ramp up’ on their promotion of your artwork, but by the end of the second year I would hope and expect that they would have secured a sufficient number of advance$ to meet their own minimum expectations as well as yours. As I mentioned in Oct. 2015, the Licensee’s or Agent’s own projections on these expectations can serve as the contract Minimum Threshold. If the Agent will not agree to financial minimums, they may consider a minimum number of licenses to be obtained within the first two years of the Agreement. If that expected minimum is not met, the provision would allow either Party to the Agreement the right to terminate it early.<br />
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With respect to the manufacturer, the common “Performance Provision” requires them to make use of your licensed imagery within a certain number of months since execution of the Agreement, or lose the licensed right to use your imagery. The basic Performance Provision is intended to insure that your illustrations are not being ‘banked’ but must be used within a reasonable period of time. If the manufacturer fails to move forward with the expected product use, you (or your Agent) would have the right to terminate and recover your rights to the imagery. See if there is not a Performance Provision in the License signed, and if you do not already have the right to terminate that license.<br />
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I should mention here that sometimes the manufacturer is just about to go to market with a product featuring your illustration(s). If they are ‘in breach’ by not meeting the “performance” deadline of the original License, you can jam them up by given them notice of a breach of contract and demanding that they “cease and desist” from use of your imagery. A compromise at that juncture might include a significant new additional advance on royalties.<br />
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However, do not overlook the possibility of a contract “Cure Provision.” Does the manufacturer License give the manufacturer additional time to cure the claimed breach and avoid the termination right? Many do. In which case, not only must Notice of the Breach be given in the manner specified in the License, but the manufacturer may be able to avoid the breach altogether by getting the product with your illustrations into distribution within the (usual) 30-day cure period. Don’t be disappointed if that is exactly what occurs. Isn’t that what you actually wanted in the first place – the products with your artwork in the marketplace? Sometimes, the manufacturer just needs to be hurried along. The Performance Provision can be useful for that purpose.<br />
<i><br /><b>Disclaimer:</b> The information contained in this website is not intended as legal advice. Because the law is not static, and one situation may differ from the next, we cannot assume responsibility for any actions taken based on information contained herein. Also, be aware that the law may vary from state. Therefore, this website cannot replace the advice of an experienced attorney. Receipt of this information does not create an attorney-client relationship. MJ Bogatin, Bogatin, Corman & Gold, <a href="http://www.bcgattorneys.com/" target="_blank">www.bcgattorneys.com</a><br />© 2017 mjbogatin</i><br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Have a legal question? email it to <a href="mailto:info@AnnGraphics.com" style="color: #af4040; text-decoration: none;">info@AnnGraphics.com</a>.
I will forward it to Bo. It might be a blog post! You can search "Bo's
bLAWg" to read more posts. I am looking forward to your comments and
thanks for sharing this great information on social media.</span></h4>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><b>Make my day!</b> and Buy me a cup of coffee (PayPal Link in right side bar, you don't need a PayPal acct.)<br /><br /> Don't want to miss the good stuff? Sign up for my <a href="http://anngraphics.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=386037d2b202c4c81cf52f0b0&id=16d8b5f196" target="_blank">newsletter</a> ;-)</span></h4>
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Annie - http://www.blogger.com/profile/10394158441508885491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107407447262846085.post-6194311212937793122017-08-18T11:43:00.001-05:002017-08-18T11:43:20.298-05:00Agent Spotlight - Wild Apple<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5uUDFS4ESYM/WZYQ-sQvADI/AAAAAAAAHBw/VD7IuhSp0aQ418SLFT4LfdYOXQHc-xbhwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/culture_careers_image1-500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5uUDFS4ESYM/WZYQ-sQvADI/AAAAAAAAHBw/VD7IuhSp0aQ418SLFT4LfdYOXQHc-xbhwCK4BGAYYCw/s400/culture_careers_image1-500x375.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div>
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<b>How long have you been in business and how did you come to be an agent?</b><br />
We started in 1990 as a poster publisher. While Laurie and I were at art shows we kept getting asked by manufacturers (including company after company claiming to be the #1 puzzle company in Japan) how they could get the art for their products. At the same time, our artists kept asking us to take care of all the “business stuff” when manufacturers approached them directly. Finally, we followed the demand and became a licensing agent. It's been a wonderful decision that has helped us grow Wild Apple and the careers of many artists. <br />
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<b>Who are the manufacturers you work with - how did you establish those relationships? </b><br />
We work with manufacturers across home decor, bath, kitchen, gift and stationery. Our relationships go back decades with many, and almost all of our business is with repeat buyers. Each relationship started small, with just a few images and grew over time. We are continually reaching out and looking for new partnerships to grow our market base and "make the world more beautiful with art". <br />
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<b>Do you have employees/help?</b><br />
Currently, we have 35 employees. <br />
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<b><br />How do you market artists?</b><br />
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<li>We exhibit at Trade shows: Surtex, Licensing Expo, West Coast Art & Frame, FamaArt
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<li>Our new and improved website: www.wildapple.com
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<li>Videos like our 1-minute Artists Videos and new "in The Artist Studio" on YouTube
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<li>Bi-monthly email newsletters packed with trends and our monthly lookbooks that introduce new art and artists</li>
<li>Social media: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, LinkedIn
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<li>Print ads in Li©ense and Art of Licensing
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<li>We attend the Atlanta and Vegas Markets to meet with customers
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<li>Sales visits to customers
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<li>Trend Reports</li>
<li>Blogging</li>
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<b>What do you look for in an Artist?
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Our artist base is diverse. We work with fine art painters, illustrators, and photographers. We are always on the lookout for artists creating fresh, trend-forward art with broad decorative appeal that is marketable into global home decor markets. We also love working with artists who love the challenge of an assignment and aren't afraid to expand their body of work into new and exciting directions. <br />
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<b>How much work do you expect artists to create?</b><br />
Each artist is different. We have some artists who create a steady stream of art and send us over 20 new pieces a month to chose from. Others send less. Our customers are looking for a steady stream of new art and patterns, so the more to work from the better.<br />
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<b>Any great news you would like to share?</b><br />
We were thrilled to launch a new website this past Spring that gives our customers better ways to search for art, a more powerful portfolio tool and better access to our Lookbooks, trend magazines, trend blogs and more.<br />
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We have introduced a number of new, amazing artists over the past year and a half including Phyllis Adams, Melissa Averinos, Felicity Bradley, Kellie Day, <b></b>Patsy Ducklow, Jan Griggs, Piper Rhue, Miranda Thomas and Farida Zaman.<br />
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We recently hired a new National Licensing Accounts Manager - Tiffani Price! With over 25 years of sales, marketing, management and product development experience, she has first-hand experience delivering successful programs to retailers.<br />
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A new project we are very excited about is our collaboration with Rustic Wedding Chic <a href="http://www.rusticweddingchic.com/" target="_blank">www.rusticweddingchic.com</a> to develop a new line of wedding-themed stationery - look for it at retail soon! <br />
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As one of the founders of the Art Copyright Coalition (<a href="http://www.artcopyright.net/" target="_blank">http://www.artcopyright.net/</a>), we are continuing our fight to protect art and creativity. Copyright infringement is still a huge problem globally. Working with other publishers and licensors we take action against infringers, raise awareness and educate retailers on the importance of copyright. We travel to China 2 to 3 times per year to walk the major shows, take down infringing products and work with overseas manufacturers to legitimately license art for their products. This work has led to a marked decrease in the number of illegal products we see at shows and new, productive partnerships.<br />
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You can find Wild Apple's amazing art/artists, newsletter and more go to <a href="https://wildapple.com/" target="_blank">https://wildapple.com/</a><br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><b>Make my day!</b> and Buy me a cup of coffee (PayPal Link in right side bar, you don't need a PayPal acct.)<br />Don't want to miss the good stuff? Sign up for my <a href="http://anngraphics.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=386037d2b202c4c81cf52f0b0&id=16d8b5f196" target="_blank">newsletter</a> ;-) Really looking forward to your comments below!</span></h4>
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Annie - http://www.blogger.com/profile/10394158441508885491noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107407447262846085.post-27993720125931760852017-08-11T13:01:00.000-05:002017-08-11T13:01:35.297-05:00Artist Spotlight - Emily Cromwell<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h8tRvGI9wTc/WXdsnQBzQBI/AAAAAAAAG90/RgCnwO5b96wro58av9rSwT41NPeKG879ACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/illustration-and-design.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h8tRvGI9wTc/WXdsnQBzQBI/AAAAAAAAG90/RgCnwO5b96wro58av9rSwT41NPeKG879ACK4BGAYYCw/s320/illustration-and-design.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Tell us a bit about yourself: Did you go to school for art? Are you self taught? </b><br />
Hi there! So my name is Emily Cromwell, I’ve been creating art ever since I can remember. I grew up taking art lessons, and drawing and creating in my free time. I went to school at Framingham State University where I majored in Illustration. They didn’t teach digital illustration there, so I had to teach myself. I got a Wacom tablet and just kept experimenting until I found my style!<br />
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<b>Do you work in just one medium? Several?</b><br />
I only work digitally on the computer. I always start out my designs first by sketching them in my sketchbook, but ultimately they’re brought to life with color on the computer where I paint digitally.<br />
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<b>What inspires you / where do you get inspiration from?</b><br />
I’m inspired by colorful and sparkly things! I get my inspiration from wanting to make people smile and feel happy. All of my artwork is created with vibrant colors, positive messages, and happy illustrations because I want people to feel joy and happiness when they look at my designs!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DW_6-kSSZc0/WXdtFNZQO5I/AAAAAAAAG-E/r2HcDzqu5nI3W7v_OMEu9VUap7L965m8ACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/final-reindeer.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DW_6-kSSZc0/WXdtFNZQO5I/AAAAAAAAG-E/r2HcDzqu5nI3W7v_OMEu9VUap7L965m8ACK4BGAYYCw/s320/final-reindeer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>How did you start licensing your art?</b><br />
I started licensing my art when I signed on with my art licensing agent. I don’t know where I would be without them!<br />
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<b>What are you working on now?</b><br />
Right now I’m working on catching up on Surtex requests for manufacturers. I’m also doing various freelance projects!<br />
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<b>Any great advice for our readers?</b><br />
Hmmm..some advice that I have to give is to always create art that you’re passionate about. People can tell when you create artwork that you’re happy with, so always make sure that you enjoy and love what you’re working on! I use music to help me do this sometimes! If I’m designing a Hawaiian pattern, I’ll pull up Youtube and stream a Hawaiian music playlist. I’ll do the same for Christmas, Halloween, summer, pretty much anything! Music really helps you to get in the mindset of what you’re designing, if you ever find that you’re struggling. =)<br />
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<b>Anything else you would like to share with us?</b><br />
I’m in the midst of signing my first licensing deal right now (YAY!), as well as working on creating more collections for both holidays and everyday themes. I’m also working towards getting a children’s book I wrote and illustrated, published or maybe even self-published.<br />
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<b> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ptt7gWAxD98/WXdtoB5TY6I/AAAAAAAAG-U/MG9wQqrh9q8f901Ag9Fxr1V0TKx_s7eYwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/sugar-skull.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ptt7gWAxD98/WXdtoB5TY6I/AAAAAAAAG-U/MG9wQqrh9q8f901Ag9Fxr1V0TKx_s7eYwCK4BGAYYCw/s320/sugar-skull.jpg" width="320" /></a></b></div>
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<b>Are you an early riser? or night owl?</b><br />
Would you believe me if I said both?! I usually get up around 7am-9am, and I stay up creating until midnight-3am. My sleeping schedule is all over the place!<br />
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<b>What is your favorite food?</b><br />
Salmon!<br />
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You can find Emily:<br />
Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/emilycromwell/" target="_blank">@emilycromwell</a><br />
<a href="http://www.emilycromwell.com/" target="_blank">www.emilycromwell.com</a><br />
<a href="http://www.emilycromwell.etsy.com/" target="_blank">www.emilycromwell.etsy.com</a><br />
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Want to be spotlighted?<span style="font-weight: normal;"> email me <a href="mailto:info@AnnGraphics.com" style="color: #af4040; text-decoration: none;">info@AnnGraphics.com</a>. I am looking forward to your comments below and
thanks for sharing this great information on social media.</span>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><b>Make my day!</b> and Buy me a cup of coffee (PayPal Link in right side bar, you don't need a PayPal acct.)<br />Don't want to miss the good stuff? Sign up for my <a href="http://anngraphics.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=386037d2b202c4c81cf52f0b0&id=16d8b5f196" target="_blank">newsletter</a> ;-) Really looking forward to your comments below!</span></h4>
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Annie - http://www.blogger.com/profile/10394158441508885491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107407447262846085.post-65195748274622531682017-07-21T12:52:00.000-05:002017-07-21T12:52:16.642-05:00Bo's bLAWg - Cost Benefit Analysis of Copyright Registration, and Derivative Works<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.52400016784668px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vuCMZPoHpXw/WW6gJCGEL8I/AAAAAAAAG9E/lCs7hBkUyuokDAZKoPjr3UE54_Y-VbIbwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/mjBogatin.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vuCMZPoHpXw/WW6gJCGEL8I/AAAAAAAAG9E/lCs7hBkUyuokDAZKoPjr3UE54_Y-VbIbwCK4BGAYYCw/s400/mjBogatin.jpg" /></a></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.52400016784668px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">MJ
Bogatin (“Bo”) of Bogatin, Corman & Gold, is an Arts and
Entertainment Attorney in San Francisco. He is also a long-time President of
California Lawyers for the Arts. <a href="http://www.calawyersforthearts.org/" target="_blank">www.calawyersforthearts.org</a><a href="http://www.calawyersforthearts.org/" style="color: #af4040; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">.</a> Bo is available to answer some of your questions surrounding the business of Art Licensing. - THANKS BO!</span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.52400016784668px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><b>Dear Bo, <br />I have two questions if you don't mind. I am a casual print-on-demand artist for about eight years now. I have never registered my work for copyright.<br /><br />1) Let's say I have about 100 designs published over time with about 30% of them actually sold through PODs. Am I understanding correctly that each design would now require a separate copyright at this late date? I do not know the dates of each uploaded image.<br /><br />2) In the event I use the same design and change out the text in the picture do I copyright the design only or copyright each rendition including text? This question applies to color only changes too.<br /><br />I bring in at most one to two thousand dollars of income a year. It seems like it is very costly for me to go back and copyright them at this late date. I currently don't license my work but have been approached several times over the years to consider it. I didn't have the time and knowledge back then but could be interested in the future. <br />“Anonymous”</b><br /><br />Dear Anonymous,<br /><b><span style="color: #741b47;">First Q:</span></b> I agree that it is likely unduly expensive for you to individually register if you have in fact “published” your 100 +/- designs at different times, so would not be eligible to register them as a group such as “My Best Designs of 2016.” You read last month’s bLAWg closely and are certain that the 70% that have never sold have in fact been ‘published”? <a href="http://annietroe.blogspot.com/2017/06/bos-blawg-copyright-registration-of.html" target="_blank">http://annietroe.blogspot.com/2017/06/bos-blawg-copyright-registration-of.html</a><br /><br />As I mentioned last month, the designs must have been offered online or otherwise <u>with the purpose to distribute copies to people who will license it for merchandise and further distribution</u>. If you have ‘merely’ displayed your designs online on your own website and not did necessarily specifically offered them to be licensed, some or all of the 70 might still be unpublished. And, as I mentioned last month, unpublished works can be registered in a group under a single fee if they are all yours alone. <br /><br />Assuming that it is clear the 70 unlicensed designs were in fact clearly offered for licensed use, and they were not posted in groups that would qualify for registration together because they have the same publication date, then, to save money, I recommend that you focus on the designs that have been licensed. It is likely that those designs will have broader public dissemination and thereby be more vulnerable to infringement. If a group of those 30 were licensed together, then they too could be registered as a group rather than individually.<br /><br />Otherwise, pick and choose among the 30 as to popularity and quality and begin your registration efforts with those, since presumably, they are the ones that are most likely to be infringed, so you want the statutory benefits that accrue with registration before infringement for at least those. Once you prevail on a copyright infringement claim, you may well be able to afford registration of all the designs you have ever created!<br /><br />As for the changed designs, <span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Q2</b></span>, unless the text is sufficiently ‘creative,’ like an original poem, and not just a quip or caption, the short answer is yes, you would likely want to register the new work as appropriate. However, if the text you use are mere catchwords or phrases, mottoes, slogans, or short expressions, <u>such verbiage is not eligible for copyright</u>. <br />(See <a href="https://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ34.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ34.pdf</a> ) <br /><br />If the text is a new poem, but being used in conjunction with a previously registered image, it would be eligible for its own registration on the TX (text) application form, not as VA (Visual Art).<br /><br />If you are just changing the color scheme to a previously registered design, I would say that you need not re-register the new color scheme. Indeed, merely changing the color scheme is not likely eligible for a new registration as it lacks sufficient ‘new creative expression.’ <br />(See <a href="https://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ34.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ34.pdf</a> ) <br /><br />It is interesting to note what the Copyright Office does offer as examples of derivative works of visual art that should be registered: <br />• A sculpture based on a drawing; <br />• A drawing based on a photograph, and<br />• A lithograph based on a painting.<br /><br />What all three of these have in common is that they truly transform the pre-existing artwork from one ‘medium’ to another. Anything short of that level of transformation may not require a new registration. What this means to me is that the new color version of your design has full copyright protection by the original registration, since it does not qualify for its own registration. <br /><br />So, to the extent that this applies to a large number of your designs, maybe you can save some application fees after all!</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.52400016784668px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><i><br /><b>Disclaimer:</b> The information contained in this website is not intended as legal advice. Because the law is not static, and one situation may differ from the next, we cannot assume responsibility for any actions taken based on information contained herein. Also, be aware that the law may vary from state. Therefore, this website cannot replace the advice of an experienced attorney. Receipt of this information does not create an attorney-client relationship. MJ Bogatin, Bogatin, Corman & Gold, <a href="http://www.bcgattorneys.com/" target="_blank">www.bcgattorneys.com</a><br />© 2017 mjbogatin </i></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Have a legal question? email it to <a href="mailto:info@AnnGraphics.com" style="color: #af4040; text-decoration: none;">info@AnnGraphics.com</a>.
I will forward it to Bo. It might be a blog post! You can search "Bo's
bLAWg" to read more posts. I am looking forward to your comments and
thanks for sharing this great information on social media.</span></h4>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><b>Make my day!</b> and Buy me a cup of coffee (PayPal Link in right side bar, you don't need a PayPal acct.)<br /><br /> Don't want to miss the good stuff? Sign up for my <a href="http://anngraphics.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=386037d2b202c4c81cf52f0b0&id=16d8b5f196" target="_blank">newsletter</a> ;-)</span></h4>
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Annie - http://www.blogger.com/profile/10394158441508885491noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107407447262846085.post-2649832588229830052017-07-14T13:04:00.000-05:002017-07-14T13:04:33.149-05:00Agent Spotlight - Art House Design<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
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<b>How long have you been in business and how did you come to be an agent? </b> </div>
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I started my business in Hong Kong in 1991, I wanted to live in Asia for a while and I noticed that a lot of publishers moved their printing from Europe to Hong Kong. Subsequently there was a lot of demand for good quality European designs.</div>
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<b>Who are the manufacturers you work with - how did you establish those relationships? </b> </div>
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We work with all the main card publishers in Europa, US and Australia. From small players who supply the small tobacco chain to Hallmark licensees.</div>
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<b>Do you have employees/help? </b></div>
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We work with salesmen in Asia and Latin America, all the designers we work with are freelancers although with some we work for 25 years already.</div>
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<b>How do you market artists? </b> </div>
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We exhibit at several fairs like Frankfurt, New York, London. Further I still travel a lot to visit clients so I can emphasize new lines and designers. I still feel that in this time of internet it is still important to have personal contact with clients.</div>
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<b>What do you look for in an Artist? </b>We prefer commercial artists over niche styles since we sell all over the world.</div>
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<b>How much work do you expect an artists to create?</b> <br />
At least 50 a year but some arts may take more time.</div>
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<b>Any great news you would like to share? </b>We just released our new web page with over 20,000 arts. When the client logs in, it has a unique filter that filters out designs that were licensed in the country of the client. Therefore, clients are never frustrated that part of their selection is not available.</div>
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<b> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CLTm1XxC-eg/WV50uIq3TeI/AAAAAAAAG7s/qkRqlilKwpkgftRugzcRAOupoiTXfbYpACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/PH%2B8923.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CLTm1XxC-eg/WV50uIq3TeI/AAAAAAAAG7s/qkRqlilKwpkgftRugzcRAOupoiTXfbYpACK4BGAYYCw/s320/PH%2B8923.jpg" width="320" /></a></b></div>
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<b>How has the Art Licensing business changed over the years? </b><br />
Of course the internet has changed the business dramatically but it also helps to be in business 24/7 all over the world.</div>
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<b>Any advice or information you would like to share? </b><br />
Travel, visit prospects and believe in what you do.</div>
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<b>You can find Art House Design</b> </div>
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<a href="http://www.arthousedesignimagebank.com/" target="_blank">www.arthousedesignimagebank.com</a></div>
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Art Licensing Show:<br />
<a href="https://artlicensingshow.com/members/arthousedesign/profile/" target="_blank">https://artlicensingshow.com/members/arthousedesign/profile/ </a></div>
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Want to be spotlighted?<span style="font-weight: normal;"> email me <a href="mailto:info@AnnGraphics.com" style="color: #af4040; text-decoration: none;">info@AnnGraphics.com</a>. I am looking forward to your comments and
thanks for sharing this great information on social media.</span>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><b> </b></span></h4>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><b>Make my day!</b> and Buy me a cup of coffee (PayPal Link in right side bar, you don't need a PayPal acct.)<br />Don't want to miss the good stuff? Sign up for my <a href="http://anngraphics.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=386037d2b202c4c81cf52f0b0&id=16d8b5f196" target="_blank">newsletter</a> ;-) Really looking forward to your comments below!</span></h4>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P8sXnsLhOL0/WV50dULIkdI/AAAAAAAAG7k/qOyrpZ6yxbMjG92DhNNcrNQGrxdDtlI7wCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/Annie2014-web%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P8sXnsLhOL0/WV50dULIkdI/AAAAAAAAG7k/qOyrpZ6yxbMjG92DhNNcrNQGrxdDtlI7wCK4BGAYYCw/s400/Annie2014-web%2Bcopy.jpg" /></a> </span></h4>
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Annie - http://www.blogger.com/profile/10394158441508885491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107407447262846085.post-87262615648433464802017-07-07T11:17:00.001-05:002017-07-07T11:28:30.939-05:00Artist Spotlight - Pencil Parade Collective<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-0de88849-ef91-5afa-6dd2-b9781024bca2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JycMWNXNH-c/WVlqNxbkOXI/AAAAAAAAG6c/BGUJ8bxrGdc6VP7YIoOL-M-pYLq8mXL8wCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/Pencil_Parade_SquareLogo.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="269" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JycMWNXNH-c/WVlqNxbkOXI/AAAAAAAAG6c/BGUJ8bxrGdc6VP7YIoOL-M-pYLq8mXL8wCK4BGAYYCw/s320/Pencil_Parade_SquareLogo.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QnT5C0i1gDY/WVlqSlKWpII/AAAAAAAAG6k/BFUvkt_b0Nciu6G1aTGodwQMDhInV8JvACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/betsy.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QnT5C0i1gDY/WVlqSlKWpII/AAAAAAAAG6k/BFUvkt_b0Nciu6G1aTGodwQMDhInV8JvACK4BGAYYCw/s320/betsy.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-0de88849-ef91-5afa-6dd2-b9781024bca2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><b>Tell us a bit about your collective:</b></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Pencil Parade met in an online class in 2015. Our personalities clicked while chatting in the private Facebook groups and thought it would be a good idea (and fun!) to join forces as a collective. We use Google Hangouts for formal meetings about once a month and have a private Facebook group that we are active on daily. It wasn't until May of 2017 that we finally met in person, to exhibit at Blue Print trade show in New York City.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Tell us a bit about yourselves: Did you go to school for art? Are you self taught?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">None of us went to school for art, but we all did creative majors: Betsy and Megan went for Photography, Brooke went for film (and taught Paint and Sip classes!), and Katie majored in theater! We’re all self-taught in art and have lots of individual experience that help in our collective.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Do you work in just one medium? Several?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">We all have a range of styles and sometimes we like to change it up! We work with watercolor, gouache, india ink, and even digitally: painting in Photoshop, Procreate, or vector-based artwork in Illustrator. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">What inspires you / where do you get inspiration from?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Betsy: Having little kids around invites lots of colorful patterns, books and doodads into my house. I also like to pick up vintage cookbooks and fabric at thrift stores when I see something I like.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Brooke: I get inspiration from exploring my city and trying new experiences. Recently I did an Escape room; the set design of the room was so cool and I found an old book that had amazing patterns on the spine. I was also inspired earlier this year by the tiles in the bathroom of restaurant by the beach. I guess it's just being curious and paying attention to the little details of the spaces around me.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Katie: I'm often inspired by what's in my own "backyard." From my literal backyard garden, to the nature that surrounds me, objects in my home, vintage textiles, and children's books.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Megan: Living with an engineer is quite inspiring in itself. Every project he does is very detailed and logical - this often works its way into my artwork as fun little details and interesting ‘ah-ha’s! I also enjoy practicing yoga which has a way of making you stop and breath and allowing your mind to think of things in a different way.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Pbm71zgsc8/WVlqlsk23WI/AAAAAAAAG60/kkgXGtCRVPE_aURasYfd-A_MYKDcSiNkACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/brooke.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Pbm71zgsc8/WVlqlsk23WI/AAAAAAAAG60/kkgXGtCRVPE_aURasYfd-A_MYKDcSiNkACK4BGAYYCw/s320/brooke.jpg" width="320" /></a> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">How did you start licensing your art?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Betsy: My first license was with a sock company. I sent in some designs for a contest but didn't win, but a few months later they got in touch to ask if they could license one of the patterns I submitted.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Brooke: Of course, I've started business relationships by sending new art to companies on a regular basis, but the Pencil Parade art collective has really helped me in my art career. As a group we're able to send out postcards more frequently, have a really well curated instagram account, and reach out to potential clients with a much larger selection of artwork. I think all these efforts combined has resulted in people paying a bit more attention to us. And in essence, it's basically doubling our marketing efforts as an individual.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Katie: I opened an Etsy shop to start selling art prints, tea towels, and stationery items. The first thing I licensed was with a company that found my work on Etsy. Around the same time I was also developing an online portfolio and starting to actively contact companies that I hoped to work with.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Megan: I began licensing when my eyes were opened to it while working in-house at a textile company in LA. I didn’t even know it was a thing until I saw the work artists were getting after they submitted. My first license was and is with a greeting card company who I still work with today!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">What are you working on now?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">We’ll all knee-deep in holiday designs for clients and also some personal work here and there when we can fit it in.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JP-QVzjIHfQ/WVlqrghbu9I/AAAAAAAAG68/9Y4tDt78r1gK_4JDQWNTPpqxwtBXftPyACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/katie.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JP-QVzjIHfQ/WVlqrghbu9I/AAAAAAAAG68/9Y4tDt78r1gK_4JDQWNTPpqxwtBXftPyACK4BGAYYCw/s320/katie.jpg" width="320" /></a> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Any great advice for our readers?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Betsy: I have an alarm on my phone that reminds me to submit to 2 companies every Monday. I don't always do it if I'm busy with other work, but it's a great reminder to share my work.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Brooke: Find ways to connect with your artist community! It gets lonely working alone and having people you can bounce ideas off of or ask questions, is so important.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Katie: I struggled for years trying to find a style or feeling anxious that I didn't have one. My biggest piece of advice for people in the same boat is to keep making work. It's in there already, you just need to work and it will come out all on its own and then continue to evolve and change. Also, find a support system. Joining my art collective, Pencil Parade, has been one of my best decisions yet. We support each other, help each other, and push each other too.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Megan: I agree with everyone else, and in addition, I actually have some online tutorials and classes to help intermediate to advanced designers. A lot of them are more technology oriented. I talk a lot about using Photoshop and Illustrator to their fullest and how to work like a graphic designer and not just an illustrator.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Anything else you would like to share with us? </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Betsy Siber is really excited to share her first fabric collection in a few months! In January, she signed on with Michael Miller Fabrics as an exclusive designer, and it has been a wonderful experience so far! All four of us have recently signed on to a photo card company, too, which we're all excited about!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Are you all early risers? or night owls?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Betsy is the only night owl of our collective (the rest are early risers!), but Katie enjoys the quiet of a not-too-late night.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">What is your favorite food?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Being in Southern California, Megan enjoys fabulous Mexican food, Betsy likes buttered toast and sushi (though not together!), and Katie says her weakness is French Fries.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sZ_qfBl1dEU/WVlqdPb5xXI/AAAAAAAAG6s/hL48Qb1LpmAjC-yakKnY0132o9xjrhEQACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/megan.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sZ_qfBl1dEU/WVlqdPb5xXI/AAAAAAAAG6s/hL48Qb1LpmAjC-yakKnY0132o9xjrhEQACK4BGAYYCw/s320/megan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Pencil Parade:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Website:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://www.pencilparade.com/" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">www.pencilparade.com</span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Instagram:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://www.instagram.com/pencilparade" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">www.instagram.com/pencilparade</span></a></div>
<br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Betsy:</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Email:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="mailto:%20info@betsysiber.com" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">info@betsysiber.com</span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Website:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://www.betsysiber.com/" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.betsysiber.com</span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Instagram:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/betsy_siber/" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.instagram.com/betsy_siber</span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Facebook:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/betsysiberart/" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/betsysiberart</span></a></div>
<br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Brooke:</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Email:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="mailto:hello@brookeglaser.com" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">hello@brookeglaser.com</span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Website:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://www.brookeglaser.com/" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">www.brookeglaser.com</span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Instagram:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://www.instagram.com/paperplaygrounds" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">www.instagram.com/paperplaygrounds</span></a></div>
<br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Katie:</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Email:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="mailto:hello@katherinelenius.com" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">hello@katherinelenius.com</span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Website:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://www.katherinelenius.com/" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">www.katherinelenius.com</span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Facebook:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/katherineleniusdesign" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">www.facebook.com/katherineleniusdesign</span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Instagram:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://www.instagram.com/katherinelenius" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">www.instagram.com/katherinelenius</span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">LinkedIn:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-lenius-b0052b114/" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-lenius-b0052b114</span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Etsy:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/katherinelenius" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">www.etsy.com/shop/katherinelenius</span></a></div>
<br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Megan:</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Email:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="mailto:hello@megandunagan.com" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">hello@megandunagan.com</span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Website:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://www.megandunagan.com/" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">www.megandunagan.com</span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Instagram:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://www.instagram.com/megannicoledesigns" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">www.instagram.com/megannicoledesigns</span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Linkedin:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/megandunagan" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">www.linkedin.com/in/megandunagan</span></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Classes:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://www.megandunagan.com/tutorials-classes/" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">www.megandunagan.com/tutorials-classes/</span></a><br />
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Want to be spotlighted?<span style="font-weight: normal;"> email me <a href="mailto:info@AnnGraphics.com" style="color: #af4040; text-decoration: none;">info@AnnGraphics.com</a>. I am looking forward to your comments and
thanks for sharing this great information on social media.</span>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><b>Make my day!</b> and Buy me a cup of coffee (PayPal Link in right side bar, you don't need a PayPal acct.)<br />Don't want to miss the good stuff? Sign up for my <a href="http://anngraphics.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=386037d2b202c4c81cf52f0b0&id=16d8b5f196" target="_blank">newsletter</a> ;-) Really looking forward to your comments below!</span></h4>
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Annie - http://www.blogger.com/profile/10394158441508885491noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107407447262846085.post-44619156088174229812017-06-19T14:32:00.000-05:002017-06-19T14:32:21.496-05:00Bo's bLAWg - Copyright Registration of Published and Unpublished Works<br />
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<i><b> </b></i><span style="font-kerning: none;"><i style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.52400016784668px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">MJ
Bogatin (“Bo”) of Bogatin, Corman & Gold, is an Arts and
Entertainment Attorney in San Francisco. He is also a long-time President of
California Lawyers for the Arts. <a href="http://www.calawyersforthearts.org/" target="_blank">www.calawyersforthearts.org</a><a href="http://www.calawyersforthearts.org/" style="color: #af4040; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">.</a> Bo is available to answer some of your questions surrounding the business of Art Licensing. - THANKS BO!</span></i></span><br />
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<i><b>Dear Bo, I just sold a new original painting (I also license my art on products). Is selling the original painting considered “publishing” it? I haven’t had a chance to copyright the image yet. I am hoping I can include it in a group copyright with several unpublished, un-sold images. If I add the new painting/image to a site like Pixels.com for print sales, is that considered “published”. Thanks in advance, Bo! Terri</b></i><br /><br />Good questions, Terri. “Publication” is an important term in the Copyright Act. You appear to be aware of the fact that as an Artist you can save a good deal on Copyright Registration fees if you can register multiple images together as a group, and that it is easier to group unpublished imagery than published imagery for registration purposes.<br /><br />Before I answer your question about whether your sale of the original painting constitutes Publication under the Act, I want to address one particular in your email: “I haven’t had a chance to copyright the image yet.” You most likely mean that you have not had a chance to register your copyright in the image yet. However, not everyone knows that they ‘have’ a copyright in their image as soon as they have created it. As long as the image has sufficient creative original material in it, it is immediately subject to a claim of copyright by its Author/Artist. So, to be sure, you have a copyright already. Registration adds specific important statutory protections for the benefit of the Copyright registrant. (See <a href="http://annietroe.blogspot.com/2015/01/bos-blawg.html" target="_blank">http://annietroe.blogspot.com/2015/01/bos-blawg.html</a> )<br /><br />“Publication” is defined in the Act as “the distribution of copies of a work to the public by sale or other transfer of ownership, or by rental, lease, or lending. The offering to distribute copies to a group of persons for purposes of further distribution, public performance, or public display, constitutes publication.” (See the alphabetical definitions section of the Copyright Act: <a href="https://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap1.html#106a" target="_blank">https://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap1.html#106a</a> )<br /><br />So, there is a quick answer to your first question. Yes, sale of the painting is deemed a “publication” under the Act even though you have not “published” it in a conventional sense by making copies and distributing them.<br /><br />The more intriguing question these days is whether artworks posted online are deemed to have been “published” under the Act. Interestingly, when you post online yourself, even though theoretically you are displaying your imagery to the whole world, the mere “display” of a work does not of itself constitute publication! “Mere display” has been deemed to include showing your artwork in a gallery or museum as well. It is only when the gallery sells the artwork, or the museum purchases it for its collection, is that artwork will be deemed to have been “published.” <br /><br />When it comes to registration, one of the Application questions is when the artwork was first published. If you are selling your works individually, and not registering them prior to sale, then they likely will all have different publication dates. That means separate registrations at $55 a pop.<br /><br />However, it is possible to include multiple published works in a registration application if they were all originally published at the same time. Circular 1 from the Copyright office says multiple published works can be registered as a group “if they are all first published together in the same publication on the same date and owned by the same claimant.” <br />(See https://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ01.pdf page 8.)<br /><br />Your recently sold artwork would not need to be registered individually if you actually published it prior to its sale as part of a group. How might that have happened? I’ll tell you. <br /><br />You indicate that you list your artworks on pixels.com. By posting the imagery at that website, if I am not mistaken, you are offering it with the purpose to distribute copies to people who will license it for merchandise and further distribution, right? Well, that is specifically a kind of “display” that fits within the Copyright Act definition of “publication” (above). So, if you were to post a bunch of previously unpublished images together on pixels.com for such purposes, then I think you would qualify for registering them all together since they share the same publication date.<br /> <br />Alternatively, you can register a group of unpublished artworks together for one fee as well. These can be registered together as a “collection” if they satisfy all the following criteria:<br />1) The elements of the collection are assembled in an orderly form; 2) The combined elements bear a single title identifying the collection as a whole; 3) The copyright claimant or claimants for each element in the collection are the same, and 4) All the elements are by the same author or, if they are by different authors, at least one author has contributed copyrightable authorship to each element. (Note: Works registered as an unpublished collection will be listed in the records of the Copyright Office only under the collection title.)<br /><br />Hope this is helpful, Terri and that these tips save you a lot of registration application fees. We give the Feds enough in taxes as it is! <br />
<br /><i><b>Disclaimer: The information contained in this website is not intended as legal advice. Because the law is not static, and one situation may differ from the next, we cannot assume responsibility for any actions taken based on information contained herein. Also, be aware that the law may vary from state. Therefore, this website cannot replace the advice of an experienced attorney. Receipt of this information does not create an attorney-client relationship. MJ Bogatin, Bogatin, Corman & Gold, www.bcgattorneys.com<br />© 2017 mjbogatin</b></i><br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Have a legal question? email it to <a href="mailto:info@AnnGraphics.com" style="color: #af4040; text-decoration: none;">info@AnnGraphics.com</a>.
I will forward it to Bo. It might be a blog post! You can search "Bo's
bLAWg" to read more posts. I am looking forward to your comments and
thanks for sharing this great information on social media.</span></h4>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><b>Make my day!</b> and Buy me a cup of coffee (PayPal Link in right side bar, you don't need a PayPal acct.)<br /><br /> Don't want to miss the good stuff? Sign up for my <a href="http://anngraphics.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=386037d2b202c4c81cf52f0b0&id=16d8b5f196" target="_blank">newsletter</a> ;-)</span></h4>
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Annie - http://www.blogger.com/profile/10394158441508885491noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107407447262846085.post-36342916501736140792017-06-09T12:19:00.000-05:002017-06-09T12:19:45.059-05:00Artist Spotlight - Irina Trzaskos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J3uyl3LjYxc/WTbgPM9aWgI/AAAAAAAAG5M/6sO7FUW0vvgWK88rwFkCL6EAzjrc6U2KQCK4B/s1600/Birds-and-flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J3uyl3LjYxc/WTbgPM9aWgI/AAAAAAAAG5M/6sO7FUW0vvgWK88rwFkCL6EAzjrc6U2KQCK4B/s320/Birds-and-flowers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Tell us a bit about yourself: Did you go to school for art? Are you self taught? </b><br />
Annie, thank you for the opportunity of being featured on your wonderful blog.<br />
I have a degree in Interior design and I have painted and drawn since I can remember. During my school years I would go to after school art programs to paint because I was enjoying it so much. I always knew that my career would be somehow connected with art. <br />
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<b>Do you work in just one medium? Several?</b><br />
I mostly work in watercolor. It is my favorite medium since I was little. I was always exploring different mediums, and I am familiar with some software which makes life easier for me and my agent when I have to prepare my art for licensing. <br />
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<b>What inspires you / where do you get inspiration from?</b><br />
My main sources of inspiration are architecture, textiles, ceramics, theater, art history and crafts of different cultures. Beautiful color schemes are also very inspiring.<br />
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<b><br />How did you start licensing your art?</b><br />
When I moved to the US in 2012, I had to decide what direction my career should take; that is when I found out about art licensing. It took me several years to gain confidence, build a portfolio and as a result to look for and find an agent.<br />
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<b>What are you working on now?</b><br />
We just got back from a trip, and I have several projects going on: I am filming my next Skillshare class, developing new collection to submit to my art licensing portfolio and also I started to illustrate a book, my husband wrote.<br />
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<b>Any great advice for our readers?</b><br />
In art licensing, besides being creative it is very important to stay organized, have goals and constantly keep growing your portfolio, even if there are no specific assignments. I found my agent surprisingly easy – after I took watercolor classes I built a portfolio of 25+ art pieces , I picked my 5 favorite of them and started sending letters to licensing agencies I thought could be a good fit to represent my work. In a few days I got a letter from Art Licensing International.<br />
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<b>Anything else you would like to share with us?</b><br />
Besides creating art for licensing and teaching I love illustrating books. My husband writes fairytales and I illustrate them. It is our personal project we enjoy very much. Our books series is called Tales From a Magical Forest. <br />
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<b>Are you an early riser? or night owl?</b><br />
I always considered myself a night owl, but several years ago I noticed that I don’t like to work at night anymore and I really enjoy having breakfast with my husband instead of sleeping in ).<br />
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<b>What is your favorite food? </b><br />
It depends on season, I love seasonal fruits paired with different kind of cheeses. Also, I love fresh bakery items, a croissant and a cup of latte can make me instantly happy.<br />
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<b>You can find Irina:</b><br />
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FACEBOOK <a href="https://www.facebook.com/irinatrzaskosstudio" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/irinatrzaskosstudio</a><br />
INSTAGRAM <a href="https://www.instagram.com/irinatrzaskos/" target="_blank">@irinatrzaskos</a><br />
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OUR BOOKS: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TalesfromaMagicalForest/" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/TalesfromaMagicalForest/</a><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/author/talesfromamagicalforest" target="_blank"><br />https://www.amazon.com/author/talesfromamagicalforest </a> <br />
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For licensing my work please contact Art Licensing International : <br />
<a href="http://artlicensing.com/content/irina-trzaskos-studio" target="_blank">http://artlicensing.com/content/irina-trzaskos-studio</a><br />
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SKILLSHARE CHANNEL: <a href="https://www.skillshare.com/r/irinatrzaskos" target="_blank">https://www.skillshare.com/r/irinatrzaskos</a><br />
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Want to be spotlighted?<span style="font-weight: normal;"> email me <a href="mailto:info@AnnGraphics.com" style="color: #af4040; text-decoration: none;">info@AnnGraphics.com</a>. I am looking forward to your comments and
thanks for sharing this great information on social media.</span>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><b>Make my day!</b> and Buy me a cup of coffee (PayPal Link in right side bar, you don't need a PayPal acct.)<br />Don't want to miss the good stuff? Sign up for my <a href="http://anngraphics.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=386037d2b202c4c81cf52f0b0&id=16d8b5f196" target="_blank">newsletter</a> ;-) Really looking forward to your comments below!</span></h4>
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Annie - http://www.blogger.com/profile/10394158441508885491noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107407447262846085.post-5262190791650715892017-05-26T15:19:00.000-05:002017-05-26T15:19:50.013-05:00Bo's bLAWg - Copyright and Title; Two Distinct Rights<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4V7mVWfBgRc/WSXZVYA2TOI/AAAAAAAAG3c/De6W1icQuLMEuBKHdppD5vx_s3yiLkRugCK4B/s1600/mjBogatin.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4V7mVWfBgRc/WSXZVYA2TOI/AAAAAAAAG3c/De6W1icQuLMEuBKHdppD5vx_s3yiLkRugCK4B/s400/mjBogatin.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.52400016784668px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">MJ
Bogatin (“Bo”) of Bogatin, Corman & Gold, is an Arts and
Entertainment Attorney in San Francisco. He is also a long-time President of
California Lawyers for the Arts. <a href="http://www.calawyersforthearts.org/" target="_blank">www.calawyersforthearts.org</a><a href="http://www.calawyersforthearts.org/" style="color: #af4040; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">.</a> Bo is available to answer some of your questions surrounding the business of Art Licensing. - THANKS BO!</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.52400016784668px;"><i><b>Dear Bo, I sell my original paintings, but retain digital files for licensing use on merchandise. Does the purchaser of my painting have any right to use the image? Thanks. Jerry</b></i><br /><br />Thanks for your question, Jerry. You have identified the basic distinction between “physical property” and “intellectual property” rights. Real property and personal property are ‘physical things’ which can be owned, and transferred in commerce. Real property, of course is a house and the land on which it is located. Personal property, or “personalty,” includes paintings, prints, merchandise, CDs, DVDs and books. Ownership to both real and personal property is indicated by the term “Title.” Just as the purchase of your house by a third party is deemed to transfer your Title to it to the new owner, so too, does the purchaser of your painting take your Title as their own. <br /><br />Intellectual property interests are more ephemeral. They are also your “property,” but they pertain to the artistic works contained in personalty: the imagery contained in the physical painting, prints or on merchandise via license; the underlying composition and recording of music contained in a CD; the movie contained in the DVD, and the story and characters contained in the book of fiction. In non-fiction, the Author’s intellectual property interest is in her written text, apart from the facts contained in the text. All of these intellectual property interests, and rights in derivative works that can be made out of them, are the essence of Copyright.<br /><br />You will recall that I previously provided the list of the Copyright holder’s Exclusive Interests:<br /><a href="http://annietroe.blogspot.com/2016/07/bos-blawg-copyright-and-derivative-use.html" target="_blank">http://annietroe.blogspot.com/2016/07/bos-blawg-copyright-and-derivative-use.html</a><br />With respect to your painting, Jerry, these include the rights to: <br />1. reproduce the work in copies;<br />2. prepare derivative works based upon the work;<br />3. distribute copies of the work to the public by sale or other transfer of ownership, or by rental, lease, or lending, and<br />5. display the copyrighted work publicly.<br /><br />The notion to keep in mind is that <u>these rights all attach to your copyright</u> (your intellectual property in the underlying imagery), <u>but not to the painting</u> (personalty). The people who purchase your painting get none of you intellectual property rights unless you expressly provide such rights to them. An example of that, would be offering the purchaser the right to use the image in a family Holiday Card – presumably on the condition that your copyright notice is affixed! You may also want to pre-approve the quality of the reproduction being made. Clients of mine have provisions allowing for these additional rights and other conditions that they insert into their Art Sale template. <br /><br />I am reminded that one other provision I recommend be considered to include in the Sale Agreement is <u>the right to borrow back the sold painting</u> for a Museum or other show featuring the best of your artworks. Most purchasers are so pleased with the notion that the artwork they are purchasing is one of your own favorites, they do not object to signing an agreement that allows you the right to borrow it back with reasonable notice, and on the further condition that the artwork is fully insured when out of their possession. If you do not include such a right in your sale agreement, you would not be able to make the purchaser loan possession back to you. The exclusive right of possession is the essence of Title to personality, just as Copyright is your exclusive right to the image in the painting. Make sense? </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.52400016784668px;"><br /><b>Disclaimer:</b> <i>The information contained in this website is not intended as legal advice. Because the law is not static, and one situation may differ from the next, we cannot assume responsibility for any actions taken based on information contained herein. Also, be aware that the law may vary from state. Therefore, this website cannot replace the advice of an experienced attorney. Receipt of this information does not create an attorney-client relationship. MJ Bogatin, Bogatin, Corman & Gold, <a href="http://www.bcgattorneys.com/" target="_blank">www.bcgattorneys.com</a><br />© 2017 mjbogatin</i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.52400016784668px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"> </span></i></span></div>
Annie - http://www.blogger.com/profile/10394158441508885491noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107407447262846085.post-12794639722474801902017-05-05T12:15:00.001-05:002017-05-05T12:15:40.708-05:00Artist Spotlight - Judy Reed Silver<div class="" style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
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<b><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span class=""><span class="">Tell us a bit about yourself:<span class=""> </span></span></span></span></b><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span class=""><span class=""><span class=""><b>Did you go to school for art? Are you self taught?</b> </span></span></span></span><span class=""><span class=""> </span></span><br />
<span class=""><span class="">I went to Art Center College of Design in Pasadena and focused on illustration and fine art. While I was much younger I attended Brentwood Art Center for several years - started there when I was thirteen in adult life drawing classes as they didn’t offer any classes for kids at the time. I luckily had a family that allowed me to turn our kitchen into an art experiment. </span></span></div>
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<b><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span class=""><span class="">Do you work in just one medium? Several? </span></span></span></b></div>
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<span class=""><span class="">It depends. If I’m working on canvas or for a fine art print I work with collage using my photography (sometimes steal my husbands as he used to be a professional photographer) and patterns that I created. I print to fabric or special papers. But for illustration, design and licensing I often work solely digital or scan in my drawings and vintage photos, manipulating within Photoshop. I also use cutline filters for a “vintage” effect. For wall patterns or fabrics, I usually use Illustrator, as most companies I’ve worked with prefer art supplied as vector files.</span></span></div>
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<span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span class=""><span class=""> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vvRIWNtm2ak/WQkHzrCHN8I/AAAAAAAAG1M/R9TipvPNn6sEDf5A6FQmQeURk9mlJYXrQCK4B/s1600/Judy_Reed-Silver_Rugs_Walls-spring_600.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vvRIWNtm2ak/WQkHzrCHN8I/AAAAAAAAG1M/R9TipvPNn6sEDf5A6FQmQeURk9mlJYXrQCK4B/s400/Judy_Reed-Silver_Rugs_Walls-spring_600.jpg" width="283" /></a></span></span></span></div>
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<b><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span class=""><span class="">What inspires you / where do you get inspiration from? </span></span></span></b></div>
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<span class=""><span class="">Japanese kimonos, fabrics, textiles, nature, especially anything vintage. I love modern architecture, interior design, fashion and that's what inspires me to incorporate my work for walls, rugs and fabrics.</span></span></div>
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<b><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span class=""><span class="">How did you start licensing your art? </span></span></span></b></div>
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<span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span class="">A close friend and art director was working on a project for clothing and didn’t know the technical aspects of how to create patterns within illustrator. So she asked me to assist her on the project. This was back in 2005 and that job led to another large project with another design firm creating several clothing lines. I realized that between my love for fashion and architecture licensing would be a good fit. I was then approached by a licensing rep that convinced me to move forward and go all in.<span class=""> </span></span></span></div>
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<b><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span class=""><span class="">What are you working on now? </span></span></span><span class=""><span class=""><span class=""><span class=""> </span></span></span></span></b></div>
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<span class=""><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span class=""><span class=""><span class=""><span class=""><span class="">D</span><span class="">esigned another scarf recently for the National Cherry Blossom Festival (held in DC each spring); they sold quite well. I also had fun with nature-inspired imagery for use on cool water bottles produced out of </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class=""><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span class=""><span class=""><span class=""><span class=""><span class=""><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Sausalito</span>. And then I'll work on a collage-y piece for a magazine. It's a nice blend of clients and I value what that diversity brings. Just now, </span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span class=""><span class=""><span class="">my agent, Liz Sanders/Liz Sanders Agency and I have promotional materials we're collaborating on.<span class=""> ...Would like to approach my blank canvas boards <span class=""><span class="">again</span><span class=""><span class="">!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class=""><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span class=""><span class=""><span class=""><span class=""><span class=""><span class=""><span class=""><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tCXIli2XY_k/WQkIsYHRNaI/AAAAAAAAG1Y/7NK4NqSkNfUfpMvAIeos9ToV1fjzswCMgCK4B/s1600/JudyReedSilver-Proverb-bottles.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tCXIli2XY_k/WQkIsYHRNaI/AAAAAAAAG1Y/7NK4NqSkNfUfpMvAIeos9ToV1fjzswCMgCK4B/s400/JudyReedSilver-Proverb-bottles.jpg" width="212" /></a> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<b><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span class=""><span class="">Any great advice for our readers? </span></span></span></b></div>
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<span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span class=""><span class="">When approaching licensing, make sure the contracts make sense and are fair, most are slanted towards the Licensee. All copyright transfers are contingent upon payments in full, which should include a copyright reversion clause if any breach in payment or usage. The “Net” proceeds should be specific. Also the artist credit should be stated on the artwork and advertising/promotions. When seeking a licensing rep, speak to the other artists in their group to get proper background info. </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><b><span class=""><span class="">Anything else you would like to share with us?</span></span></b><span class=""></span></span></div>
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<span class=""><span class="">A few of my images are licensed through a company called, “Soundwall.” They produced this new sound/music technology that is transferred directly through the artwork and not a speaker. I listed their link below.</span></span></div>
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<span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span class=""><span class=""><b>Are you an early riser? or night owl?</b> </span></span><span class=""></span></span></div>
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<span class=""><span class="">Really a night owl. I rarely go to sleep before 2 am. Everyone knows to never call me before 10 am. I do my best work at night.</span></span></div>
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<b><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span class=""><span class="">What is your favorite food? </span></span></span></b></div>
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<span class=""><span class="">Indian food, and Caesar salads.</span></span></div>
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<b>You can Find Judy:</b><br />
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<a href="https://www.judyreedsilver.com/"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span class=""><span class=""></span></span></span></a><a class="" href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span class="">https://</span></a><span class=""><span class=""><span class=""><a class="" href="https://www.judyreedsilver.com/" target="_blank">www.judyreedsilver.com</a></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span class=""><span class=""><a class="" href="https://www.workbook.com/portfolios/view/silver/gallery/collagecut-paper" target="_blank"><span class="">https://www.workbook.com/portfolios/view/silver/gallery/collagecut-paper</span></a></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span class=""><span class=""></span></span></a><span class=""><a href="http://lizsanders.com/j-r-silver/" target="_blank">http://lizsanders.com/j-r-silver/</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_1962092064"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span class=""><span class=""><span class=""><br class="" /></span></span></span></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.soundwall.com/shop/?search_query=&page=1&limit=21&sort=featured&Artist=Judy%20Reed%20Silver&category=18&is_category_page=1" target="_blank"><span class="" style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span class=""><span class=""><span class="">http://www.soundwall.com/shop</span></span></span></span></a></span></div>
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Want to be spotlighted?<span style="font-weight: normal;"> email me <a href="mailto:info@AnnGraphics.com" style="color: #af4040; text-decoration: none;">info@AnnGraphics.com</a>. I am looking forward to your comments and
thanks for sharing this great information on social media.</span>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><b>Make my day!</b> and Buy me a cup of coffee (PayPal Link in right side bar, you don't need a PayPal acct.)<br /><br /> Don't want to miss the good stuff? Sign up for my <a href="http://anngraphics.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=386037d2b202c4c81cf52f0b0&id=16d8b5f196" target="_blank">newsletter</a> ;-) Really looking forward to your comments below!</span></h4>
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Annie - http://www.blogger.com/profile/10394158441508885491noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107407447262846085.post-22266274789701892662017-04-24T15:04:00.001-05:002017-04-25T13:07:46.265-05:00Bo's bLAWg - Copyright Term and Unpublished Works <div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Xdp7HtGJXE/WP5XRP1yw7I/AAAAAAAAGyg/GNy2FufC5r0PkmtHVR9FHSIAMj2VcAqWACK4B/s1600/mjBogatin.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Xdp7HtGJXE/WP5XRP1yw7I/AAAAAAAAGyg/GNy2FufC5r0PkmtHVR9FHSIAMj2VcAqWACK4B/s400/mjBogatin.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.52400016784668px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">MJ
Bogatin (“Bo”) of Bogatin, Corman & Gold, is an Arts and
Entertainment Attorney in San Francisco. He is also a long-time President of
California Lawyers for the Arts. <a href="http://www.calawyersforthearts.org/" target="_blank">www.calawyersforthearts.org</a><a href="http://www.calawyersforthearts.org/" style="color: #af4040; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">.</a> Bo is available to answer some of your questions surrounding the business of Art Licensing. - THANKS BO!</span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.52400016784668px;"><i><b>Dear Bo, I was in my mother’s attic and discovered a box of my Great Aunt's personal writings and illustrations. It appears they date from 1880 and earlier to her death in 1925. I don’t think any were published, but I do not know! I would like to publish them. You indicated in a prior bLAWg that works published before 1923 are in the Public Domain. What about unpublished works from that date and earlier? Thanks! Teri</b></i><br /><br />Good question, Teri. The Term of copyright for never-published works does require a different analysis from that we use for published works.<br /><br />Start with the contemporary Term: the life of the author/artist plus 70 years. Working backwards, <u>if the author/artist died more than 70 years ago – before 1947 – then their unpublished works are in the Public Domain</u>. So, if you knew that none were published, we could conclude with certainty that all her writings and drawings are in the Public Domain (“PD”).<br /><br />Had any been published, and the copyright registered as required under the 1909 Act, you will recall from my earlier bLAWg, that a registration in its Renewal 28-year Term 1923 through 1963 was granted a Term of 95 years after its original publication date. So, were you able to determine that certain works were published, the 1923 rule applies. Those published in 1923 would have their last year of copyright protection in 2018. Works first published in 1924 would be protected through 2019, and those published in 1925 would lose protection as of January 1, 2021. (See <a href="http://annietroe.blogspot.com/2016/09/bos-blawg-copyright-term.html" target="_blank">http://annietroe.blogspot.com/2016/09/bos-blawg-copyright-term.html</a> )<br /><br />I would add that there is a different rule for <u>unpublished anonymous and pseudonymous works, and works</u> made for hire (corporate authorship). In the case of these, <u>the Term is 120 years from date of creation</u>. So, had you found these materials but their author was unknown to you, it is quite possible that those works could still be subject to copyright protection. It is just a matter of knowing when they were created. As of this year, creation before 1897 would make them PD.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.52400016784668px;"><br />Here is an online Chart that addresses this Term information for both published and unpublished works: <a href="http://copyright.cornell.edu/resources/publicdomain.cfm" target="_blank">http://copyright.cornell.edu/resources/publicdomain.cfm</a><br /> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.52400016784668px;">Now, I want to say a few other things about works in the PD. First, while you have an absolute right to use these works any way you want, anyone else who has access to them would have the same right of use. Were you not to grant any third party access – or limit access to those who sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement with you – you could be the first to publish, and thereby have that advantage on any third party who might want to publish or make other commercial use of them. Even better, were you <u>to publish them in a manner that includes contribution of new elements and materials by you, you have an absolute right to claim a new copyright for your additions to the PD material</u>. By publishing a copyright notice with respect to your own contributions, would anyone else necessarily know which is your new material and which your Great Aunt’s? Not necessarily…</span></span><br />
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.52400016784668px;"><br />More likely, however, even if you made known which was your Great Aunt’s original work, it would be impractical for any third party to ‘separate’ the PD material from your own additions and/or material enhancements. For instance, with your Great Aunt’s pen and ink drawings, were you to add colors, they might make a line of beautiful new greeting cards. While third parties would legally be able to strip out your color and look to add their own color choices, more likely than not, they would honor your copyright notice and published efforts. There would be little economic incentive to go to that trouble since your line is already available for sale. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.52400016784668px;"><br /><i><b>Disclaimer:</b> The information contained in this website is not intended as legal advice. Because the law is not static, and one situation may differ from the next, we cannot assume responsibility for any actions taken based on information contained herein. Also, be aware that the law may vary from state. Therefore, this website cannot replace the advice of an experienced attorney. Receipt of this information does not create an attorney-client relationship. MJ Bogatin, Bogatin, Corman & Gold, <a href="http://www.bcgattorneys.com/" target="_blank">www.bcgattorneys.com</a></i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Have a legal question? email it to <a href="mailto:info@AnnGraphics.com" style="color: #af4040; text-decoration: none;">info@AnnGraphics.com</a>.
I will forward it to Bo. It might be a blog post! You can search "Bo's
bLAWg" to read more posts. I am looking forward to your comments and
thanks for sharing this great information on social media.</span></h4>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><b>Make my day!</b> and Buy me a cup of coffee (PayPal Link in right side bar, you don't need a PayPal acct.)<br /><br /> Don't want to miss the good stuff? Sign up for my <a href="http://anngraphics.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=386037d2b202c4c81cf52f0b0&id=16d8b5f196" target="_blank">newsletter</a> ;-)</span></h4>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 13.52400016784668px;"><i> </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.52400016784668px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"> </span></i></span>Annie - http://www.blogger.com/profile/10394158441508885491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107407447262846085.post-55492133413781374052017-04-14T12:03:00.000-05:002017-04-14T12:03:17.752-05:00Artist Spotlight - Jill Craig<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A7Qky-YHjyc/WOvSvbEdqEI/AAAAAAAAGuc/W9M3qprKwJ48ddPlsjZWXP-zYLmxFeM0wCK4B/s1600/Jill%2BCraig%2B-%2BProduct%2BLayout.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A7Qky-YHjyc/WOvSvbEdqEI/AAAAAAAAGuc/W9M3qprKwJ48ddPlsjZWXP-zYLmxFeM0wCK4B/s400/Jill%2BCraig%2B-%2BProduct%2BLayout.jpg" width="370" /></a></b></div>
<br />
<b>Tell us a bit about yourself </b><br />
<br />
There was something magical that would always happen when the paints came out in elementary school. The blank paper, the colors, the brushes, the freedom to let my creativity run wild was irresistible to me. I knew this was the job for me, no question about it; I was going to be an artist!<br />
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But how could I support myself painting and drawing? Although I graduated with a degree in fine art with an emphasis on painting and printmaking, the art gallery world didn’t seem a comfortable fit for me at that time. Therefore, as I considered careers, which would provide financial stability, becoming an elementary teacher would probably be a much better choice. Plus there were those summer vacations! Yes, then I could spend those summers painting and letting all that creativity loose, perfect!<br />
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Unfortunately, summer was never enough time to explore this missing part of my life. In my continued search over the following years for a career that blended creativity and challenge I worked within the interior design and visual merchandising fields. Both careers involved working with color, balance and form which was very creative and fun. Yet still missing was the opportunity to play with a blank canvas, splash in the paint and give life to a vision only I could see.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qMvninWTTcA/WOvS_cJwTZI/AAAAAAAAGuk/0Q0-mj-DJm4kKRLpf33mNXcet22u8aMXACK4B/s1600/Jill%2BCraig%2BGraphic%2BLayout.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qMvninWTTcA/WOvS_cJwTZI/AAAAAAAAGuk/0Q0-mj-DJm4kKRLpf33mNXcet22u8aMXACK4B/s400/Jill%2BCraig%2BGraphic%2BLayout.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>
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Maybe painting and making a product that I could sell would be the answer? Based on my love of textiles I developed a line of hand painted decorative pillows, tablecloths and napkins. Shortly I learned the price I would need to charge per piece would far exceed what the retail market would pay. It was through my research into having these products manufactured that I stumbled into the world of surface pattern design. Enrolled in a series of surface design classes in the mid 90’s I was fortunate to meet two other very talented designers. We formed a studio, created our portfolios and off we marched to exhibit at Surtex. What a grand and eye opening experience for us, this was exactly the career I had been searching for all these years. We exhibited together at Surtex and licensed our work for many years to manufacturers and retail businesses.<br />
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Due to my exposure at Surtex I was hired as an in-house designer for a ceramic dishware manufacturer. While working with this manufacturer I also had the opportunity to work with many freelance designers in providing art direction, not only for our in-house line of products but also for custom designs requested by our retail clients. Each October and May I enjoyed doing the visual merchandising of our showroom during the Tabletop Shows in New York, it was a nice little chance to revisit that creative expression. <br />
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After about 10 years working in-house I returned to freelancing yet continue to work on a contract basis with my former employer. Since my freelancing days of long ago the industry and Surtex have changed. We have gone from hand painting designs on paper to now submitting digital files. Licensing has also changed over the years with options ranging from limited use, exclusive use, and much more common now, flat fee and outright purchase. Freelance marketing strategies now are more varied to include websites, blogs, print on demand, Etsy, as well as exhibiting at industry shows. Becoming a member of artlicensingshow.com has been an invaluable source providing connections with manufacturers, sharing industry news and offering an open and supportive community of very talented designers.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D04Bt6vgwkI/WOvTLMcHwQI/AAAAAAAAGus/awIcY7IkCk85GctGNa6OzCrDBzzmao6iQCK4B/s1600/%253D%253FUTF-8%253FQ%253FJill_Craig_Traditional-Realistic%253Dd%253Da_Layout.jpg%253F%253D" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D04Bt6vgwkI/WOvTLMcHwQI/AAAAAAAAGus/awIcY7IkCk85GctGNa6OzCrDBzzmao6iQCK4B/s400/%253D%253FUTF-8%253FQ%253FJill_Craig_Traditional-Realistic%253Dd%253Da_Layout.jpg%253F%253D" width="262" /></a></div>
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My connection with other designers and various design blogs and websites help me navigate the waters, smooth out the ride and help keep me engaged and positive on this freelance journey. Those who admit to having their doubts about being talented enough to forge through the difficult times encourage me. There are times when that little personal critic sits on my shoulder and tries to convince me to give it all up, tells me I’m not cut out for this business. I cherish and flourish during the days that little guy has no words for me. Maybe success isn’t a measure of what I can do or create on a given day but more about what I learned during the process. Maybe it was the way those colors merged together in that little corner of my watercolor, or how that texture over there created interest. Relying on these examples as measurements of my success for the day, I stockpile them in preparation for the next conversation with that little demon.<br />
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Apart from a specific theme or subject I have repeatedly tried to identify my style and have wrestled with this issue all these years. As it has been with my creative career choices, how could I choose just one area of interest? All these career endeavors have added layers of complementary elements, each supporting the other. As far as branding a specific art style I skip along a narrow path between traditional and painterly to graphic and whimsical styles. Trying to convince myself to let one go and concentrate on the other seems such an impossible task for me. In many ways this split personality of styles has been a positive in my work with manufacturers and retailers. For now, a specific brand style may remain illusive for me but I enjoy having these options for the flexibility and diversity of design work that may come my way.<br />
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So many things can be the catalyst of inspiration for me. Of course nature and our visual world bring countless opportunities for creative expression, but also a memory, word or phrase, even music can take me to the drawing board. I am also inspired by the work of other designers and so thankful they are willing to share information selflessly and offer support when I fear I am off track.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DAgdAkvLZzU/WOvTUtS59lI/AAAAAAAAGu0/ZAy9jxHtV7UoydbElq5zx2lPcO-Dn4qXgCK4B/s1600/%253D%253FUTF-8%253FQ%253FJill_Craig_Valentine_Batik%253Dd%253Da_Layout.jpg%253F%253D" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DAgdAkvLZzU/WOvTUtS59lI/AAAAAAAAGu0/ZAy9jxHtV7UoydbElq5zx2lPcO-Dn4qXgCK4B/s400/%253D%253FUTF-8%253FQ%253FJill_Craig_Valentine_Batik%253Dd%253Da_Layout.jpg%253F%253D" width="262" /></a></div>
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I love watercolor and it’s surprises, but all paints and inks are good for the cause. Chalk and colored pencils have a home here in my studio, add a bit of collage material and stamping tools and the day is never long enough. Needless to say, digital art has slipped in and adds a whole new experience to my creative life. The variety of digital brushes, tools, filters and techniques are so numerous I often feel overwhelmed but am continually curious and anxious to explore them. <br />
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I tend to be a night owl especially if I am working on my own collections, sometimes I just get lost in the process of creating, that rather obsessive drive you just can’t stop. If there is a deadline looming I can be found in the studio early and eager. I guess this goes along with my split personality of style, the chameleon freelancer striving to make it all work. <br />
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Chocolate will always remain a favorite choice to satisfy a moment of craving, just as putting the final touch on a design satisfies the joy of being an artist. I look forward to continuing on this unique journey, with the challenges, the new experiences and especially to breath life into the countless designs dancing through my mind.<br />
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You can find Jill:<br />
Email: <a href="mailto:jillcraig2@comcast.net">jillcraig2@comcast.net</a><br />
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Website: <a href="http://www.jillcraigdesign.net/" target="_blank">www.jillcraigdesign.net</a><br />
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Facebook: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/jillcraigdesign" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/jillcraigdesign</a><br />
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Member: <a href="https://artlicensingshow.com/members/jcraig/profile/" target="_blank">artlicensingshow.com</a><br />
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Want to be spotlighted?<span style="font-weight: normal;"> email me <a href="mailto:info@AnnGraphics.com" style="color: #af4040; text-decoration: none;">info@AnnGraphics.com</a>. I am looking forward to your comments and
thanks for sharing this great information on social media.</span>
</div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><b> </b></span></h4>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><b>Make my day!</b> and Buy me a cup of coffee (PayPal Link in right side bar, you don't need a PayPal acct.)<br /><br /> Don't want to miss the good stuff? Sign up for my <a href="http://anngraphics.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=386037d2b202c4c81cf52f0b0&id=16d8b5f196" target="_blank">newsletter</a> ;-) Really looking forward to your comments below!</span></h4>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xJ0BAFRWCoQ/WOvVdEeXqBI/AAAAAAAAGvA/Qw9zpgFX5y8neccFwZcUyzuzqyBX9RHeQCK4B/s1600/Annie2014-web%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xJ0BAFRWCoQ/WOvVdEeXqBI/AAAAAAAAGvA/Qw9zpgFX5y8neccFwZcUyzuzqyBX9RHeQCK4B/s400/Annie2014-web%2Bcopy.jpg" /></a> </span></h4>
Annie - http://www.blogger.com/profile/10394158441508885491noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107407447262846085.post-71161768685238370272017-03-31T13:42:00.001-05:002017-03-31T13:42:31.508-05:00Bo's bLAWg - Copyright and Useful Items<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z8CV0Shz3r8/WNqd2CpcXuI/AAAAAAAAGsU/5t-FumxOAXUKcVCOh5xPUmdXUKVjkd5YgCK4B/s1600/mjBogatin.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z8CV0Shz3r8/WNqd2CpcXuI/AAAAAAAAGsU/5t-FumxOAXUKcVCOh5xPUmdXUKVjkd5YgCK4B/s400/mjBogatin.jpg" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.52400016784668px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">MJ
Bogatin (“Bo”) of Bogatin, Corman & Gold, is an Arts and
Entertainment Attorney in San Francisco. He is also a long-time President of
California Lawyers for the Arts. <a href="http://www.calawyersforthearts.org/" target="_blank">www.calawyersforthearts.org</a><a href="http://www.calawyersforthearts.org/" style="color: #af4040; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">.</a> Bo is available to answer some of your questions surrounding the business of Art Licensing. - THANKS BO!</span></i></span> </div>
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<i><b>What is this I heard about a copyright and cheerleading uniforms case before SCOTUS? Does it have anything to do with design licensing? (BTW I love your bLAWg, Bo!) Jeff</b></i><br />
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Always happy to discuss copyrights in the news, Jeff! Let me summarize the case to which you are referring. It is called Star Athletica, L.L.C. v. Varsity Brands, Inc. Varsity Brands is one of the largest purveyors of cheerleading uniforms in the country. Star Athletica is a smaller competitor. Varsity registered its copyrights on certain “chevron designs” used in a new series of uniforms. Star’s catalogue the following year included a number of similar chevron designs in its new uniforms. Varsity sued.<br />
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What is a chevron? I didn’t know! Here is a link to some other legal bloggers who dug up the Varsity copyrighted designs and the Star catalogue uniforms: <a href="https://www.knobbe.com/news/2016/11/chevrons-stripes-cheerleaders-and-copyright-supreme-court-hears-oral-argument-star" target="_blank">https://www.knobbe.com/news/2016/11/chevrons-stripes-cheerleaders-and-copyright-supreme-court-hears-oral-argument-star</a> Now I know what a chevron is! <br />
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The matter sounds straightforward enough, doesn’t it, Jeff? What’s the issue that brought such a case all the way to the SCOTUS? It is simply this: Is the Varsity chevron an article that is part of a useful item like a cheerleading uniform, or is it something else; something uniquely creative simply added to the useful article? Copyright does not apply to “useful items”. It has always applied to the sculpture that is turned into a lamp, and the illustrations that are added to mugs, but what about clothing? Historically, clothing and its elements, from zippers to hidden pockets, have always been considered useful items. Some of these items may be entitled to patent protection, but not copyright.<br />
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Copyright is limited to “original works of authorship” that are not in themselves “functional”. (See 17 USC Section 101: <a href="https://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap1.html#106a" target="_blank">https://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap1.html#106a</a> ) Section 101 defines a useful article as:<br />
<br />
an article having an intrinsic utilitarian function that is not merely to portray the appearance of the article or to convey information. <b>An article that is normally a part of a useful article is considered a “useful article”.</b><br />
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Reasonable minds can differ. The Federal District Court in Varsity’s copyright infringement case found that the chevrons had a utilitarian function with respect to the uniforms. Varsity appealed. The Federal Circuit Appellate Court reversed, finding that the chevron was a design that “incorporates pictorial, graphic, or sculptural features that can be identified separately from, and are capable of existing independently of, the utilitarian aspects of the article” per 17 U.S.C. § 101. Star appealed to SCOTUS. Undoubtedly, as indicated by the reversal of the original Judgment, Stars’ attorneys considered this to be “a close question.” And no doubt there were a lot of damages at stake. Remember, having lost on appeal, Star could be liable not only for large damages, but for all Varsity’s attorneys’ fees and costs incurred for bringing their action, as well as Stars’ own.<br />
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When it came right down to it, SCOTUS did not consider this to be such a close question. It applied the usual legal “test”: Do the artistic features of the useful articles includes a separate identification or “separability” requirement and an independent existence requirement. More particularly, “(1) can the chevron designs be perceived as a two- or three-dimensional work of art separate from the useful article and (2) would they qualify as a protectable pictorial, graphic, or sculptural work either on its own or in some other medium if imagined separately from the useful article?”<br />
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Justice Thomas, writing for a five-member majority of the Court, affirmed the Judgment of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. This majority identified the two key requirements – that the chevron features were separately identifiable from the cheerleading uniform, and are capable of existing independent of the utilitarian aspects of the uniform. It also reasoned that removing the surface decorations from the uniforms in the abstract and applying them in another medium would not replicate the uniform itself.<br />
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So, Jeff, you want to make a million bucks? Attach some of your original artwork in ambiguous fashion to a top-selling article of clothing. Register your copyright, and let me know when you someone infringes on your design. We’ll rack up.<br />
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<i><b>Disclaimer: </b> The information contained in this website is not intended and should not be relied upon as legal advice. Because the law is not static, and one situation will differ from the next, the results will differ as well, thus we do not assume responsibility for any actions taken based on any information contained herein. Also, be aware that the laws vary from state to state. Therefore, this website cannot replace the advice of an experienced attorney who practices within the jurisdiction involved in your issue or dispute. Receipt of this information does not create an attorney-client relationship. MJ Bogatin, Bogatin, Corman & Gold <a href="http://www.bcgattorneys.com/" target="_blank">www.bcgattorneys.com</a><br />© 2017 mjbogatin</i><br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Have a legal question? email it to <a href="mailto:info@AnnGraphics.com" style="color: #af4040; text-decoration: none;">info@AnnGraphics.com</a>.
I will forward it to Bo. It might be a blog post! You can search "Bo's
bLAWg" to read more posts. I am looking forward to your comments and
thanks for sharing this great information on social media.</span></h4>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><b>Make my day!</b> and Buy me a cup of coffee (PayPal Link in right side bar, you don't need a PayPal acct.)<br /><br /> Don't want to miss the good stuff? Sign up for my <a href="http://anngraphics.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=386037d2b202c4c81cf52f0b0&id=16d8b5f196" target="_blank">newsletter</a> ;-)</span></h4>
Annie - http://www.blogger.com/profile/10394158441508885491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107407447262846085.post-89100190040772242782017-03-24T12:08:00.001-05:002017-03-24T12:12:40.557-05:00Agent Spotlight - Brenda Manley Designs<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s81FAEwHHPM/WNAW-ohG0zI/AAAAAAAAGpE/s9ekDx_dsd02Zs79Fnm2Mzd-BrON-EDrgCK4B/s1600/Brenda%2BManley_Booth.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s81FAEwHHPM/WNAW-ohG0zI/AAAAAAAAGpE/s9ekDx_dsd02Zs79Fnm2Mzd-BrON-EDrgCK4B/s400/Brenda%2BManley_Booth.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>How long have you been in business and how did you come to be an agent? </b><br />
I worked 16 years for a paper tableware manufacturer in multiple positions. Started as a graphic designer for catalogs, then promoted to designer, senior designer, assistant manager and finally design manager. I created trend briefs, art directed and was an art buyer/licensee. I had been attending Surtex for 10+ years. At each show without fail, I was in complete awe of all the insane talent oozing from each booth. The creativity was intoxicating! I have always had the entrepreneurial spirit so I decided to switch sides of the proverbial table. Since I am an artist first, my original intention was to freelance on my own. Along the way I met emerging talent who had little experience in this industry. In my attempts to help some of them my agency developed organically. Some may see me being an artist as confusing while being an agent at the same time. I reassure them that my art directing skills are stronger and that my creative output is rather infrequent. I truly feel being an artist combined with 16 years of manufacturing experience is a win/win situation. I understand the demands of manufacturing deadlines and know the challenges designers face. I thrive being the conduit to both sides! So while we are in our 3rd year of business I bring over 28 years of design experience to the table with 19 of those years specializing in the social expressions/surface design industry. </div>
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<i>(Editor's note: you can click images to view larger)</i><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5lSJ8hVkk-A/WNAaMTtzAXI/AAAAAAAAGpw/_KxZQBMxxZsjpvpNygYOZvlnFw8vxy-9wCK4B/s1600/AG_0042_Joy%2Bto%2Bthe%2BWorld_CS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5lSJ8hVkk-A/WNAaMTtzAXI/AAAAAAAAGpw/_KxZQBMxxZsjpvpNygYOZvlnFw8vxy-9wCK4B/s400/AG_0042_Joy%2Bto%2Bthe%2BWorld_CS.jpg" width="273" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Angel Gerardo - AG_0042_Joy to the World_CS </td></tr>
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<b>Who are the manufacturers you work with - how did you establish those relationships?</b></div>
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Relationships have been established via exhibiting at trade shows. I have had the pleasure working with many outstanding manufacturers, some of which have requested to remain anonymous. However, the following have granted permission to publish: Amscan, Apache Mills, Claire’s Accessories, Clever Factory, C.R. Gibson, Demdaco, Design Design, Design House Greetings, DesignScapes, LLC, Groupe-Editor, Hallmark, Igloo, International Greetings, Michael Miller Fabrics, Mohawk, National Imports, Northcott Fabrics, Jillson Roberts, Lenox, Pier 1, Seaman Paper, Sterling Brands, Sullivan Paper, The Lindy Bowman Co., TJX, Unique and Wigwam Mills.<br />
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<b>Do you have employees/help? </b></div>
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I have recently been employing the help of a contractor who helps with admin and accounting. This frees me up to do what I do best - support my artists, art direct, network and secure projects for our talented team!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WhEto8FQFKY/WNAZ5xHM2WI/AAAAAAAAGpo/S8ly3HtkpsgxL6wjHhGSTFrxbFI20xXHgCK4B/s1600/AKD_15C001_Candy_Christmas_Train_Card_OP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WhEto8FQFKY/WNAZ5xHM2WI/AAAAAAAAGpo/S8ly3HtkpsgxL6wjHhGSTFrxbFI20xXHgCK4B/s400/AKD_15C001_Candy_Christmas_Train_Card_OP.jpg" width="273" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alyssa Kays - AKD_15C001_Candy_Christmas_Train_Card_OP</td></tr>
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<b>How do you market artists? </b></div>
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Many ways! Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, newsletters, advertising in trade publications and exhibiting at trade shows. Oh, and several interviews here and there ;-)<br />
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<b>What do you look for in an Artist? </b></div>
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Passion, design style, originality, color sense, technical skills (PS and AI expert level) and authenticity as an individual.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rheAiBNd3Lc/WNAZnllqd7I/AAAAAAAAGpg/7fbt2S3ltsEHXYH8rk0vMNTo24FLq-OwgCK4B/s1600/ASM_16078_Baby%2BCollection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rheAiBNd3Lc/WNAZnllqd7I/AAAAAAAAGpg/7fbt2S3ltsEHXYH8rk0vMNTo24FLq-OwgCK4B/s400/ASM_16078_Baby%2BCollection.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amiee Sue Malott - ASM_16078_Baby Collection</td></tr>
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<b>How much work do you expect an artists to create? </b></div>
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I ask that they produce 12 new designs a month. While this may vary per designer due to design style, it is a suggested guideline. This helps them develop as an artist (the more we create, the more we develop). It also helps keep our portfolio fresh so we are relevant to manufacturers who have little to no development time. <br />
<b><br />Any great news you would like to share? </b></div>
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We have a very desirable booth location this year at Surtex. We are in booth 2707 - right in front of the entrance! I’m so excited I can barely stand it! Oh, and I also I have some very exciting news but it’s too soon to share. Stay tuned!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c3vvoWwjQ50/WNAZKocEu7I/AAAAAAAAGpY/Xtat8j5kegcB-TMqoVu7m3RJ1CL2Ld4gACK4B/s1600/ES_EXG16_005_Exotic_Garedn_01_OP_B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c3vvoWwjQ50/WNAZKocEu7I/AAAAAAAAGpY/Xtat8j5kegcB-TMqoVu7m3RJ1CL2Ld4gACK4B/s400/ES_EXG16_005_Exotic_Garedn_01_OP_B.jpg" width="273" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emma Schonenberg - ES_EXG16_005_Exotic_Garedn_01_OP_B</td></tr>
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<b>How has the Art Licensing business changed over the years?</b></div>
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I’ve seen a shift in manufacturers moving away from licensing and procuring artwork via purchasing artwork out right - full buy out. This works well if manufacturers are equipped with an in house team to manipulate the artwork. However, on the flip side, there are still many viable licensing opportunities available. Each has it’s advantages and disadvantages.<br />
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<b>Any advice or information you would like to share? </b></div>
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I would say the most valuable piece of advice is to show up everyday no matter the circumstances. Release the outcome of what you think it should look like. Just keep creating, dreaming, journaling and keep doing the necessary actions to achieve the next level on one’s goal/bucket list DESPITE the challenges, mistakes and disappointments. For it is in these trying times that our character develops. One with character, preparedness, and quality content rarely relies on luck to succeed - THEY FLOURISH!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1MErMPVy3LI/WNAY7AZWl0I/AAAAAAAAGpQ/9PEXHV8xMfEqz8D2qaBGwNEEV4LJkQ_ZQCK4B/s1600/logo_color%2B1up.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1MErMPVy3LI/WNAY7AZWl0I/AAAAAAAAGpQ/9PEXHV8xMfEqz8D2qaBGwNEEV4LJkQ_ZQCK4B/s400/logo_color%2B1up.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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You can find Brenda Manley Designs:<br />
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website: <a href="http://brendamanleydesigns.com/" target="_blank">brendamanleydesigns.com</a><br />
instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/brenda_manley_designs/" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/brenda_manley_designs/</a><br />
facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/brenda.manley.102/" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/brenda.manley.102/</a></div>
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Want to be spotlighted?<span style="font-weight: normal;"> email me <a href="mailto:info@AnnGraphics.com" style="color: #af4040; text-decoration: none;">info@AnnGraphics.com</a>. I am looking forward to your comments and
thanks for sharing this great information on social media.</span>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><b>Make my day!</b> and Buy me a cup of coffee (PayPal Link in right side bar, you don't need a PayPal acct.)<br /><br /> Don't want to miss the good stuff? Sign up for my <a href="http://anngraphics.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=386037d2b202c4c81cf52f0b0&id=16d8b5f196" target="_blank">newsletter</a> ;-) Really looking forward to your comments below!</span></h4>
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Annie - http://www.blogger.com/profile/10394158441508885491noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107407447262846085.post-9691551770950871512017-03-03T13:01:00.001-06:002017-03-03T13:01:56.730-06:00Artist Spotlight - Randi Zafman<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nwENHUq4kyY/WLN8kGCAFqI/AAAAAAAAGk8/Uzmn08yuH1EO4-x6hb16dthDCsNlJK4iwCK4B/s1600/randizafmanrainbowcitruswatertdacWEBC.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nwENHUq4kyY/WLN8kGCAFqI/AAAAAAAAGk8/Uzmn08yuH1EO4-x6hb16dthDCsNlJK4iwCK4B/s400/randizafmanrainbowcitruswatertdacWEBC.jpeg" width="400" /></a> </i></div>
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<i>Annie, thank you so much for inviting me to be part of your Artist Spotlight. I am honored to be included among so many talented creatives.</i><br />
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<b>Tell us a bit about yourself: Did you go to school for art? Are you self taught? </b><br />
I have been drawing my whole life. One of my earliest, art making memories was when I was about four years old. I remember hiding my crayons and markers in my bed, under the covers. Once my parents tucked me in and left my room, I stood on my bed and colored on the wall. The next morning, my parents came in and saw my artwork and although they were very pleased with what I created, they just wished it wasn’t on the wall. That very day, they repainted, bought a huge roll of white butcher paper, and created a place for my daily murals. I was lucky to always have a lot of support from my family in my art endeavors. I was the kid that used to take the jar of peanut butter and the cereal box, and draw it. This was my first, early interest in package design. I have been obsessed with the anatomy and structure of letterforms ever since. While still in high school, I started taking college-level art classes in design, typography, and watercolor. Armed with a professional set of Winsor & Newton watercolors, sable brushes and an Arches block, I began my life-long, love affair with watercolor. I then studied drawing and painting, graphic design and illustration, and received a BA in Fine Arts. <br />
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<b>Do you work in just one medium? Several?</b><br />
I was trained in many artistic disciplines, but watercolor is, and always will be, my favorite. My watercolor illustrations and lettering are created traditionally, by hand. I crave that tactile sensation of brush, paint and paper. I draw and paint everything in watercolor, gouache, and ink. I then scan my artwork into Photoshop and edit with the Apple pencil on my iPad Pro.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jopqVSJTrCE/WLN864YBC4I/AAAAAAAAGlM/Ac9xdJD8oNkajCu7WQ13_fYaZFC2esgPQCK4B/s1600/randizafmanpinkgreenleavesWEBC.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jopqVSJTrCE/WLN864YBC4I/AAAAAAAAGlM/Ac9xdJD8oNkajCu7WQ13_fYaZFC2esgPQCK4B/s400/randizafmanpinkgreenleavesWEBC.jpeg" width="290" /></a></div>
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<b>What inspires you / where do you get inspiration from?</b><br />
I was born and raised in Los Angeles, where I still live today. I love to start my day with a long walk. Inspiration is everywhere, from the mid century, art deco and Spanish architecture, to the wonderful shops that are all around me. By the time I get back home, I can’t wait to get working in my studio.<br />
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<b>How did you start licensing your art?</b><br />
I started working as a graphic designer and art director back in the days before computers. I freelanced and worked in-house, and did everything from traditional graphics to illustration for giftware and stationery companies. It was so amazing to see my work in stores and on products. I’ve done artwork for unusual things things like boxer shorts and credit cards to more typical products like packaging and greeting cards.<br />
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<b>What are you working on now?</b><br />
I have this huge list of ideas and things I want to create. I have the problem of too many ideas and never enough hours in the day. I make sketches and color studies, so that they can one day become finished pieces. Every day feels like an exciting, new opportunity. <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NBL_ZeX7NJk/WLN9D3NyJGI/AAAAAAAAGlU/D2tdbQ9oQ3Y6MUeK7g5Y9YUXY06lwKzcgCK4B/s1600/randizafmanearthdayWEBC.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NBL_ZeX7NJk/WLN9D3NyJGI/AAAAAAAAGlU/D2tdbQ9oQ3Y6MUeK7g5Y9YUXY06lwKzcgCK4B/s400/randizafmanearthdayWEBC.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Any great advice for our readers?</b><br />
Life is short, do what you love and follow your artistic dreams. Stay true to your style, but be open to letting it evolve. Enjoy the creative process, be present, and see where it takes you. You never know what you may discover about your art and yourself. <br />
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<b>Anything else you would like to share with us? </b><br />
I am represented by <a href="http://lizsanders.com/" target="_blank">Liz Sanders Agency</a>. Having an agent has been a goal of mine and Liz is wonderful to work with. I am so looking forward to all we can do together.<br />
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<b>Are you an early riser? or night owl? </b><br />
I am definitely an early bird and always have been. I have the most energy in the morning. Some of my best design solutions have come to me in my dreams, so I like to work when the ideas are fresh. <br />
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<b>What is your favorite food?</b><br />
Sushi for sure. The first time I tried it I was at a sweet sixteen in Little Tokyo and it has become my all time favorite food.<br />
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You can find Randi<br />
INSTAGRAM: <a href="http://instagram.com/randizafman" target="_blank">instagram.com/randizafman</a><br />
WEBSITE: <a href="http://randi-zafman.squarespace.com/" target="_blank">randizafman.com</a><br />
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Want to be spotlighted?<span style="font-weight: normal;"> email me <a href="mailto:info@AnnGraphics.com" style="color: #af4040; text-decoration: none;">info@AnnGraphics.com</a>. I am looking forward to your comments and
thanks for sharing this great information on social media.</span>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><b>Make my day!</b> and Buy me a cup of coffee (PayPal Link in right side bar, you don't need a PayPal acct.)<br /><br /> Don't want to miss the good stuff? Sign up for my <a href="http://anngraphics.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=386037d2b202c4c81cf52f0b0&id=16d8b5f196" target="_blank">newsletter</a> ;-)</span></h4>
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Annie - http://www.blogger.com/profile/10394158441508885491noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107407447262846085.post-64511890015448741362017-02-24T11:19:00.000-06:002017-02-24T11:19:07.235-06:00Bo's bLAWg - Continuation Fees to Licensing Agents<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lkuJkIwnzHs/WK2ztAKNPdI/AAAAAAAAGjc/M5xrPWZuBMUWg5vutVlruRXNjJXf2YsVgCK4B/s1600/mjBogatin.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lkuJkIwnzHs/WK2ztAKNPdI/AAAAAAAAGjc/M5xrPWZuBMUWg5vutVlruRXNjJXf2YsVgCK4B/s400/mjBogatin.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.52400016784668px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">MJ
Bogatin (“Bo”) of Bogatin, Corman & Gold, is an Arts and
Entertainment Attorney in San Francisco. He is also a long-time President of
California Lawyers for the Arts. <a href="http://www.calawyersforthearts.org/" target="_blank">www.calawyersforthearts.org</a><a href="http://www.calawyersforthearts.org/" style="color: #af4040; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">.</a> Bo is available to answer some of your questions surrounding the business of Art Licensing. - THANKS BO!</span></i></span><br />
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<i><b>My Agreement with my licensing agent is expiring. It is my understanding that she gets to receive her commission on licenses that she negotiated. Can you tell me how long this goes on? How it works? After we terminate, aren’t I entitled to receive my royalties directly from the licensees and account to her? Trudy</b></i><br />
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All Licensing Agents will include a “Continuation Fees” provision in their Agreement with you as the Licensor Illustrator. The essence of this provision is to give the agent the right to receive their commission on your royalties -- for as long as you receive such royalties -- on a license they placed and/or negotiated on your behalf. The Term of the Agency Agreement may expire (if it is not renewed), but the agent expects to “continue” to share in the benefits of her services for as long as you do. Hence the name “Continuation Fees provision.” <br />
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The provision typically appears in association with the termination provision, but not always. It reads something like this:<br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">“It is further agreed, regardless of termination <b><span style="color: #741b47;">and/or cause</span></b>, Agent will continue to receive its full 50% share of all Gross Revenue associated with all License Agreements procured by Agent during the Term (and any renewals, extensions and/or modifications thereof).”</span><br />
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I have left in the highlighted, “<b><span style="color: #741b47;">and/or cause</span></b>” part of this provision, because this is the kind of term that might be slipped into the otherwise expected provision. You might miss it if you were not aware of the implication. What the “and/or cause” means is that even if the Agency Agreement were to be terminated for breach on the part of the agent, like non-payment of royalties due their illustrator client, they would be able to rely on the contract to continue to collect commissions on agreements they made for you! I say, “No way!” Commission continuation right should depend on the full, good faith performance on the part of the Agent. If they screw up and breach their Agreement, all their commission interests should be put at risk. <br />
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In an analogous situation, the California Labor Commission takes the position that if someone is operating as a musician Booking Agent without a license from the Commission, the musicians they represent can make a claim that all commissions earned be surrendered to them. This includes both past and future “Continuation Fees” that Booking Agents as well include in their Agency Agreements. Why should illustrators be treated any differently.” While literary and illustration agents are not licensed, their clients should not have lesser rights than musicians.<br />
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As for the issue of continued accounting rights, as long as the Agreement has not been breached, and the Licensor Illustrator had all agency rights revert, it is reasonably expected that post-term, the agent will continue to collect royalties due under the licenses they negotiated. They will continue to take their commission due, and then account to their former client on the balance due for as long as the underlying Licensing Agreement continues. Some of the more comprehensive Agent Agreements expressly include this expectation:<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">“Upon expiration or termination of this Agreement, Agent shall continue to collect payments under any and all License Agreements negotiated during the Term (and any renewals, extensions and/or modifications of the same) unless otherwise agreed by the parties.” </span><br />
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And, just in case there is any question of whether the Illustrator should contact the Licensee and request direct payment since they are no longer represented by the Agent, some Agreements also make clear they cannot as follows:<br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">“Artist further agrees that Artist, after expiration or termination of this Agreement, may not make any changes in the payment instructions contained in any License Agreement or other arrangement covered by this Agreement to direct any licensees to make payments directly to Artist.”</span><br />
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I would like to offer one alternative to the standard agent Continuation Fees provision. It is commonly called a “Step-down rate.” In short, if the commission due is 50% when the Agreement is entered into, two years after termination it might step-down to 25%; two years later, 15%, two years later, it might thereafter remain at 5% or expire altogether.<br />
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This compromise term is especially appropriate in those instances when an agent may be taking on an illustrator who already has a significant body of business, but the pre-existing licenses are not necessarily excluded from the Agency Agreement. Perhaps the illustrator is looking to have the agent review license terms when they come up for renewal and/or renegotiate them when possible. I have also negotiated inclusion of a step-down rate where the illustrator’s reputation is already ‘made’ as it were, and prospective licensees are calling her for rights. The agent need not shop her works so much as make the best deals possible. Then again, you might ask for it with any prospective agent. If they want to represent you badly enough in the short term, you might save yourself some significant commission fees over time by insisting on a Step-down commission rate post–term!<br />
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<i><b>Disclaimer:</b> The information contained in this website is not intended as legal advice. Because the law is not static, and one situation may differ from the next, we cannot assume responsibility for any actions taken based on information contained herein. Also, be aware that the law may vary from state. Therefore, this website cannot replace the advice of an experienced attorney. Receipt of this information does not create an attorney-client relationship. MJ Bogatin, Bogatin, Corman & Gold, <a href="http://www.bcgattorneys.com/" target="_blank"><b>www.bcgattorneys.com</b></a></i><br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Have a legal question? email it to <a href="mailto:info@AnnGraphics.com" style="color: #af4040; text-decoration: none;">info@AnnGraphics.com</a>.
I will forward it to Bo. It might be a blog post! You can search "Bo's
bLAWg" to read more posts. I am looking forward to your comments and
thanks for sharing this great information on social media.</span></h4>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><b>Make my day!</b> and Buy me a cup of coffee (PayPal Link in right side bar, you don't need a PayPal acct.)<br /><br /> Don't want to miss the good stuff? Sign up for my <a href="http://anngraphics.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=386037d2b202c4c81cf52f0b0&id=16d8b5f196" target="_blank">newsletter</a> ;-)</span></h4>
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Annie - http://www.blogger.com/profile/10394158441508885491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107407447262846085.post-91853770330244547882017-02-17T09:30:00.000-06:002017-02-23T12:06:27.318-06:00Agent Spotlight - Debby Leggat, Blue Sky Art & Design<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M_l22arrWMs/WKebj1crboI/AAAAAAAAGis/VomgLyzHL6kXs5-o7QXZPDVrfp6OSO60gCK4B/s1600/BluSkyLgo%2Ball%2Binfo%2Bblue%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M_l22arrWMs/WKebj1crboI/AAAAAAAAGis/VomgLyzHL6kXs5-o7QXZPDVrfp6OSO60gCK4B/s320/BluSkyLgo%2Ball%2Binfo%2Bblue%2Bcopy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ek4JbYFBb_4/WKcUkInZmRI/AAAAAAAAGh4/hoqKk0UW24gMD76zomS0APKMNtEGktzCgCK4B/s1600/Howling%2BWolf.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ek4JbYFBb_4/WKcUkInZmRI/AAAAAAAAGh4/hoqKk0UW24gMD76zomS0APKMNtEGktzCgCK4B/s400/Howling%2BWolf.jpg" width="285" /></a></b></div>
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<b>How long have you been in business and how did you come to be an agent?</b><br />
My career as a licensing agent began in 1994 when I started the licensing division at Wild Apple Graphics. Wild Apple was an established poster publisher, and a licensing division was a natural extension since, with a treasure trove of art, manufacturers were already approaching them with requests to use images on their products. It was a wonderful opportunity for me. My first choice would have been licensed artist myself, but a decided lack of ability disqualified me so I got to do the next best thing, which is to find licensing partners for the very talented artists I represent. Before becoming a licensing agent I worked at House & Garden magazine, sold advertising at Travel & Leisure, and handled public relations for an international trade group. All my prior experience has been very useful in what I do now.<br />
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<b>What do you love most about the art licensing business?</b><br />
There are so many things! Among them are:<br />
• Finding talent that I believe has licensing potential and being proved right;<br />
• Sending (big!) royalty checks to artists. Really, the bigger the better. If the artists are doing well, so is Blue Sky;<br />
• Putting artists and manufacturers together. It’s extremely satisfying to find the perfect fit between image and product;<br />
• Developing relationships and friendships with artists, manufacturers, and other agents. There are a lot of wonderful, talented, interesting, and hard-working people in art licensing, and I have enjoyed and continue to enjoy getting to know them through working together.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W6ZwREYamww/WKcU11ptFEI/AAAAAAAAGiA/CfuU3ohqH6o7xoWPHjwbjAXPB0lf76OOwCK4B/s1600/BB%2BXmas%2BFlying%2BSanta.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W6ZwREYamww/WKcU11ptFEI/AAAAAAAAGiA/CfuU3ohqH6o7xoWPHjwbjAXPB0lf76OOwCK4B/s400/BB%2BXmas%2BFlying%2BSanta.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>What do you like least about the art licensing business?</b><br />
No question, dealing with copyright infringement. It quite literally makes me sick. I’m happy to say that often we have been able to convert a piracy to a legitimate license. There are times when infringement is inadvertent and not malicious, and the manufacturer is usually anxious to making things right. However there are also those times when the infringement is deliberate and there’s a ‘guess we didn’t get away with that’ or a ‘we dispute your claim and will keep the dispute going forever until you go away’ attitude, or a ‘we’re too big for you to fight’ approach which is infuriating. Art Licensing is a relatively small field so word can travel pretty fast about the bad actors, but there is still far too much.<br />
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<b>Who are the manufacturers you work with - how did you establish those relationships? </b><br />
We work with manufacturers across the board from stationery to decorative accessories, wall décor, rugs and mats, tabletop and ceramics, gift. Many of our relationships are long—standing, established years ago and are on-going. For the most part they began at a trade show where the licensees were exhibiting or through cold calling and e-mailing. There’s no magic or trick to finding licensees: perusing trade publications, shopping the stores, both big box and small gift shops, and attending the trade shows are the obvious ways to find prospects. After that it’s a matter of perseverance. <br />
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<b>How do you market artists?</b><br />
By attending the gift and trade markets in Atlanta and New York, which gives us the opportunity to meet face-to-face with our licensees. We exhibit at Surtex, but sporadically. Last year was very good for us, so we’ll be there again in May, but we evaluate after every show to determine it’s worth.<br />
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Beyond that we market artists largely through email: I believe in edited, tailored presentations designed to appeal to whichever category or specific licensee we’re targeting. I want my contacts to want to open the submissions that come from Blue Sky because they’re relevant to what the manufacturer is doing. We’re conscious of not wanting to waste anyone’s precious time.<br />
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Finally, we use our website and facebook page as much as possible. Our website is up-dated frequently to reflect the newest images and facebook allows for regular up-dates on what’s happening with our artists and licensees.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KJqQAQNxI0M/WKcVCDxGJoI/AAAAAAAAGiI/O7HXx_bncA8obE0RM98RimvMwFAJ6ygnQCK4B/s1600/Nancy%2BArcher%2BSpring%2BBouquet%2BII.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="326" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KJqQAQNxI0M/WKcVCDxGJoI/AAAAAAAAGiI/O7HXx_bncA8obE0RM98RimvMwFAJ6ygnQCK4B/s400/Nancy%2BArcher%2BSpring%2BBouquet%2BII.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>What do you look for in an Artist?</b><br />
We look for:<br />
• Applicability of the artwork to a range of products. If I can’t easily visualize it on a minimum of three to four product categories it probably won’t work;<br />
• The artist’s recognition that art licensing is a commercial venture. That means the work may have to follow trends, be altered to suit a licensee’s needs and might not be used at all;<br />
• The artist’s commitment to licensing by producing new work regularly, ability to resist discouragement, and patience, since the payoff can be a long ways out;<br />
• An artist that sees licensing representation as a partnership—neither of us works for the other, but we are working together to build something.<br />
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<b>How much work do you expect an artists to create?</b><br />
I’ve never understood this question. It’s a little like asking ‘How successful do you want to be?’ I know that every artist produces new work at his or her own rate, but the simple answer is the more art that’s produced the greater the likelihood of success. That said, one artist can produce ten pieces that don’t go anywhere, another can produce one that gets licensed all over, so in that case it’s a matter of quality over quantity. <br />
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There really is no short answer either, but I will say that Jane Maday, one of Blue Sky’s top artists is also the top producer of new work. She was already an experienced licensed artist when we started working together, but even so, she never stops pushing herself in new directions with techniques and approaches so her licensing program will move into new categories. She treats art licensing as the full-time job that it is and that discipline and ambition are largely responsible for her success<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bxAmOL5lIcA/WKcVPR3bu5I/AAAAAAAAGiQ/g3moJ25anvgqctnRy1xH6iUxKe2MTfk4gCK4B/s1600/Nancy%2BArcher-Spring%2BBouquet.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="326" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bxAmOL5lIcA/WKcVPR3bu5I/AAAAAAAAGiQ/g3moJ25anvgqctnRy1xH6iUxKe2MTfk4gCK4B/s400/Nancy%2BArcher-Spring%2BBouquet.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>How has the Art Licensing business changed over the years?</b><br />
When I started in art licensing there was a lot of resistance from manufacturers to using outside artists. Many companies had in-house design staff so they couldn’t see incurring additional expense for something they already had, they felt the accounting was going to be a hassle, and they’d have to increase prices to accommodate the royalty. Then, as it became clear that certain artists like Mary Engelbreit, Susan Winget and some others were selling a lot of product, those attitudes started to shift; before very long a lot of companies had given up their in-house artists and began to rely exclusively on outside artwork.<br />
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Then the internet provided a huge shift in the art licensing business. The advent of email and the now ubiquitous image software removed any barriers to entry for would-be art licensors. Many bloggers, Etsy shop owners and individual artists with computer connections are now successful art licensors. There’s more competition, but there are more opportunities as well.<br />
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<b>What’s new at Blue Sky Art & Design?</b><br />
There’s always great new artwork. Jane Maday is at work on a wonderful series of Vintage Journal Sketches that she’s painting in an old ledger bought online. There are already over 40 images of wildlife, Spring, coastal, inspiration, and holiday to name just a few of the themes. Veteran licensed artist Wendy Russell is adding to her Bird Dog series which got an immediate and enthusiastic response when first introduced. <br />
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In addition, Blue Sky has recently added several talented, experienced and FUN artists: Swirly Designs, comprised of husband and wife Paul and Lianne Stoddard make bright, colorful and imaginative ornaments from clay. Their work is already being developed for collectibles and gifts. Their images are also translated to flat art for multiple other uses; Nancy Archer is hard at work on new collections of patterns for stationery, fabric, tabletop and more; and artist Barbara Behr, well-known in Germany and new to the American market is making a big impression with her Victoriana collages and imaginative compositions. All this newness keeps things exciting!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ulbnl9SxASU/WK8ke8mlmnI/AAAAAAAAGjw/8GcTF2Ql8qUl9oRI63IGNJtgnbSoY1qZQCK4B/s1600/Bird%2BDog%2BFull%2BView%2Blg%2Bformat%2Bwhite.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ulbnl9SxASU/WK8ke8mlmnI/AAAAAAAAGjw/8GcTF2Ql8qUl9oRI63IGNJtgnbSoY1qZQCK4B/s400/Bird%2BDog%2BFull%2BView%2Blg%2Bformat%2Bwhite.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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You can find Blue Sky Art & Design<br />
<a href="https://www.blueskyartanddesign.com/" target="_blank">www.blueskyartandddesign.com</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/BlueSkyArtDesignInc/" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/BlueSkyArtDesignInc/</a><br />
<b>Surtex 2017 booth #2824 May 21-23, 2017</b><br />
<a href="mailto:debby@blueskyartanddesign.com">debby@blueskyartanddesign.com</a><br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><b>Make my day!</b> and Buy me a cup of coffee (PayPal Link in top-right side bar, you don't need a PayPal acct.)<br /><br /> Don't want to miss the good stuff? Sign up for my <a href="http://anngraphics.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=386037d2b202c4c81cf52f0b0&id=16d8b5f196" target="_blank">newsletter</a> ;-)</span></h4>
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<br />Annie - http://www.blogger.com/profile/10394158441508885491noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107407447262846085.post-20229222482179022242017-02-03T13:27:00.000-06:002017-02-03T13:27:04.224-06:00Artist Spotlight - Amy Kirkpatrick<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mqIijZblGbc/WI5mD1U0fNI/AAAAAAAAGeY/Oehm-6CBLkUYdFTzw1or91Seag-1RolEQCK4B/s1600/AmyKirkpatrick-Images2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mqIijZblGbc/WI5mD1U0fNI/AAAAAAAAGeY/Oehm-6CBLkUYdFTzw1or91Seag-1RolEQCK4B/s400/AmyKirkpatrick-Images2.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div>
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<b>Tell us a bit about yourself: Did you go to school for art? Are you self taught? </b><br />
Art became my passion at a very young age. Living in South Florida, my parents set up a little art desk for me to keep myself entertained during their long hours working at a local newspaper they owned. I went through coloring books so fast that my mother finally gave me a stack of blank paper and told me to make my own. <br />
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I excelled in art through high school and received a BFA degree from Florida State University in Studio Art with an emphasis in graphic design. My first job was at a check printer, John Harland Company in Atlanta, Georgia. I have since created designs and illustrations for many Fortune 500 companies including high tech companies such as Oracle and Cisco, universities, power companies, hospitals and medical companies, industrial manufacturers, including fashion icons such as Adidas and my personal favorite, Ashworth Golf Wear. <br />
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Often my work was done through advertising agencies or design boutiques, but some were full time corporate jobs such as Oracle, where I created illustrations for web-based training. I have designed about every kind of corporate collateral you can think of along with logos, software user interface, and web advertising and design. <br />
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In 2000, I began freelancing and found myself often waiting for proofing revisions. To keep myself busy while I waited, I'd paint. I started selling my art on eBay just to see what would happen and they sold! As my confidence and sales have grown, I am only doing graphic design for my own art business now. <br />
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<b>Do you work in just one medium? Several?</b><br />
I started out painting with acrylic, but after taking a community class in watercolor, I became forever hooked with the way it blends and blossoms. I absolutely love it. <br />
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I have full knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite and spend a great deal of time on the computer. <br />
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I also do a lot of gel pen drawings. After I bought a pack at Costco on a whim, I fell in love with them. However, I have not released my gel pen drawings, yet. There's the issue of reproduction quality because of their reflective nature, so I do them for my own amusement. I have about 100 finished pieces but they are so different than my watercolor paintings that I'm still deciding the best way to market them.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HFg3gT9J3QE/WI5l9bw9R3I/AAAAAAAAGeQ/f6eK_O7KsSgZ37taHP23lG1cCRYe6dDAgCK4B/s1600/AmyKirkpatrick-Images3.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HFg3gT9J3QE/WI5l9bw9R3I/AAAAAAAAGeQ/f6eK_O7KsSgZ37taHP23lG1cCRYe6dDAgCK4B/s400/AmyKirkpatrick-Images3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>What inspires you / where do you get inspiration from?</b><br />
I am mostly inspired by nature. I love painting living things. I also enjoy taking art classes for inspiration and to be around other artists. I am lucky to live in San Diego with access to world class watercolor teachers and the San Diego Watercolor Society that brings in outstanding visiting artists. This year, I took a class with Charles Reid and for the first time, attempted painting portraits of people. Since then, I found a group of artists that meet every Friday at one of our libraries with uninstructed portrait drawing and painting with live models. It has been great fun. <br />
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<b>How did you start licensing your art?</b><br />
My first big break was with Better Homes & Gardens publications in 2011. I had painted a couple butterflies and shown them to a friend who immediately wanted to buy them. She was planning to remodel her kitchen for a BHG publication. My butterflies became the theme of the remodel and ended up in two magazines as well as online. I decided I better paint more before the magazines came out so I challenged myself to paint 100 butterflies in 100 days. My butterflies were immediately picked up by an art licensing buyer and have been selling worldwide. <br />
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More licensing opportunities have come to me directly through my Etsy shop where I sell my originals and signed giclées. <a href="http://amykirkpatrickart.com/" target="_blank">AmyKirkpatrickArt.com</a><br />
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<b>What are you working on now?</b><br />
I have nearly 600 paintings and always have several I'm working on. I do all the scanning and processing for prints myself which is very time consuming. My goal for 2017 is to get them all scanned so I can begin showing them online. They can't sell if no one can see them! All this while I continue to paint.<br />
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I paint what makes me happy and hope my joy shows through to make someone else happy.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yoZ71_0zzY0/WI5lzQ_UB9I/AAAAAAAAGeI/HiWYzpebNqseQOTIfMMrJ0Z0WkqVqL4TwCK4B/s1600/AmyKirkpatrick-Images4.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yoZ71_0zzY0/WI5lzQ_UB9I/AAAAAAAAGeI/HiWYzpebNqseQOTIfMMrJ0Z0WkqVqL4TwCK4B/s400/AmyKirkpatrick-Images4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Any great advice for our readers?</b><br />
A friend and I tease that whoever dies with the most paints wins! But in truth, it's not about how many colors you have, but what you can do with the colors you have. My advice is to always be practicing and try to come up with your own unique ideas and style.<br />
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The best advice I received when I first started selling was from a gallery sales trainer. He told me to decide what kind of artist I wanted to be. There are many paths an artist can take and each requires a different level of skill, subject, style, and self-promotion. For example, what sells in a gallery won't necessarily sell to a product manufacturer. He was the first person to talk to me about art licensing.<br />
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<b>Anything else you would like to share with us?</b><br />
I paint because I love it. I think it may be an addiction. I have so much in my head that I want to paint that sometimes I can become paralyzed with too many ideas. I keep an ongoing list and a sketchbook of my ideas. I surprise myself sometimes when I review them and see something I think is really good that I had forgotten about. I am always grateful for having the forethought to document it, because how many ideas have I lost because I didn't do a quick sketch?<br />
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I do not have an agent. I have done very little self-promotion with manufacturers but have been fortunate for those that have found my art and contacted me. My most recent licensing agreement has gotten my art in the wall art section of Wayfair. <br />
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<b>Are you an early riser? or night owl? </b><br />
I am not an early riser. Since my husband gets up at 6:00am, he thinks I've slept half the day away when, as he puts it, I "finally" get up at 8:00am. To me, that's my perk of self-employment. <br />
<b><br />What is your favorite food?</b><br />
My favorite food is Thai food. I love a good Penang curry!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A-e_TjnV1A8/WI5ls2NVAbI/AAAAAAAAGeA/-pQ6l_2k-SoDMGILfI8impGRnAcOO4-AACK4B/s1600/AmyKirkpatrick-Images5.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A-e_TjnV1A8/WI5ls2NVAbI/AAAAAAAAGeA/-pQ6l_2k-SoDMGILfI8impGRnAcOO4-AACK4B/s400/AmyKirkpatrick-Images5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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You can find Amy:<br />
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<a href="mailto:amykirkpatrick@roadrunner.com">amykirkpatrick@roadrunner.com</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amykirkpatrickfineart.com/" target="_blank">AmyKirkpatrickFineArt.com </a><br />
<a href="http://amykirkpatrickart.com/" target="_blank">AmyKirkpatrickArt.com</a> (Etsy)<br />
<a href="http://amyprints.com/" target="_blank">AmyPrints.com</a> (Fine Art America)<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AmyKirkpatrickFineArt/" target="_blank">Facebook.com/AmyKirkpatrickFineAr</a>t<br />
<a href="http://www.instagram.com/amykirkpatrickart" target="_blank">www.instagram.com/amykirkpatrickart</a><br />
<a href="http://twitter.com/ak_art" target="_blank">twitter.com/ak_art</a><br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><b>Make my day!</b> and Buy me a cup of coffee (PayPal Link in top-right side bar, you don't need a PayPal acct.)<br /><br /> Don't want to miss the good stuff? Sign up for my <a href="http://anngraphics.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=386037d2b202c4c81cf52f0b0&id=16d8b5f196" target="_blank">newsletter</a> ;-)</span></h4>
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Annie - http://www.blogger.com/profile/10394158441508885491noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107407447262846085.post-84894238479927945882017-01-20T09:49:00.001-06:002017-01-20T09:49:59.418-06:00Bo's bLAWg - Online Licensing Websites (VIDA / ShopVIDA)<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PVnhXkXWvr4/WH5bX_VIzxI/AAAAAAAAGZs/OPhpDXQRdEMndRCSieJthpbyM-2AycLTwCK4B/s1600/mjBogatin.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PVnhXkXWvr4/WH5bX_VIzxI/AAAAAAAAGZs/OPhpDXQRdEMndRCSieJthpbyM-2AycLTwCK4B/s400/mjBogatin.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.52400016784668px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">MJ
Bogatin (“Bo”) of Bogatin, Corman & Gold, is an Arts and
Entertainment Attorney in San Francisco. He is also Co-President of
California Lawyers for the Arts. <a href="http://www.calawyersforthearts.org/">www.calawyersforthearts.org</a><a href="http://www.calawyersforthearts.org/" style="color: #af4040; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">.</a> Bo is available to answer some of your questions surrounding the business of Art Licensing. - THANKS BO!</span></i></span><br />
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<i><b>I've known several artists approached by VIDA. I'm attaching their Artist Contract and am wondering what you think of its terms? Montana</b></i><br />
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Thanks for your question, Montana. I have had occasion to consider a few different online licensing websites. Some, like VIDA, promote themselves as a “Manufacturer on Demand.” I doubt that they themselves are manufacturers. They are more likely, the “intermediary.” <br />
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I can see how an online website licensing would be an attractive business model to entrepreneurs who have relationships with manufacturers (or their US tradeshow representatives). If the website can sign up lots of artists, it is possible that they can make a lot of money from the sales of products with artists’ designs, whether to the public – or even more likely, to the very artists whose artwork has been licensed. Many artists just want to see their work featured on products, from placemats to scarves. If the online licensee can entice the artists themselves to purchase enough of a given product – and the manufactured product prospects are unlimited -- current digital imaging allows the manufacturer to easily change out designs. Small quantity orders of a few hundred units can be profitable with overseas, non-union manufacturing, with a generous mark-up on the re-sale of such inventory to artists -- and possibly to retailers.<br />
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As for the licensor artists, I suspect that this not an unduly expensive way to obtain a decent inventory of select products bearing their designs. However, I doubt that there are many commercial success stories generated from sales from these websites. If I am in error on this, I would like to be informed of it!<br />
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When I dig into VIDA’s, not only do I find some <span style="color: #a64d79;">very objectionable terms</span>, I also find an emphasis on asking the artist to invest in the purchase of models promoting their pending product line, and discounts available for purchasing $300+ of the merchandise. If every artist who signs up agrees to the marketing photos and a minimum purchase of select products with their very own designs, clearly, the business model has income potential to the purveyors if not the artists! <br />
<br />
Upon signing up with VIDA and uploading two illustrations, it is my understanding that artists are asked to become “a featured designer on VIDA with a Curated Collection.” In conjunction with this invitation there is an ask for money summarized as follows:<br />
<br />
To claim your curated collection, you can use one of two private codes listed. With “Code Curated 25,” the artist is invited to receive one professional lifestyle photo of a model wearing an item from your collection. Check out with $300+ worth of merchandise in your cart and enter the promo code, “Curated25” at checkout, and 25% will then be taken off your order. You will also get a curated collection page with one professional lifestyle photo of a model wearing an item from your collection, and at least one of your products product featured on the VIDA Shop All page with professional lifestyle photography.<br />
<br />
If you select Code Curated40, you receive three professional lifestyle photos of a model wearing items from your collection. Check out with $900+ worth of merchandise in your cart and enter the promo code, “Curated40” at checkout, and 40% will then be taken off your order, and you will get a curated collection page with three lifestyle photos of a model wearing items from your collection, and at least one of your products featured on the VIDA Shop All page with professional lifestyle photography.<br />
<br />
Again, this is an extremely limited offering since we can only offer curated collection upgrades to a small group of artists. Since we have limited space for curated collections, we are limiting the availability to upgrade your collection until just October 30th, only 4 more days.”<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;">This promotional material is said to be “extremely limited,” but as far as I know, it has been posted indefinitely.</span><br />
<br />
Of critical importance, as always for me, are the terms that are imposed by the website licensee on the artist who clicks “Agree.” As for the VIDA Agreement, <a href="http://studio.shopvida.com/terms-and-conditions" target="_blank">http://studio.shopvida.com/terms-and-conditions</a> , I have a number of concerns about its terms, many of which are <span style="color: #a64d79;">wholly objectionable</span>.<br />
<br />
With reference to my prior Basic Licensing Terms bLAWg, <a href="http://annietroe.blogspot.com/2015/02/bos-blawg-what-should-be-in-art.html" target="_blank">http://annietroe.blogspot.com/2015/02/bos-blawg-what-should-be-in-art.html</a> , note first that the grant of rights to any images uploaded is immediately “exclusive and perpetual.” This means that whether or not anything is made of the artist’s imagery, (and there is no guarantee that there will be!), the artist has no further right of use to it for licensing purposes!<br />
<br />
Furthermore, the artist gives up any right to object to the way in which her imagery may be used on any given product – by itself or in combination with other imagery -- or the quality of the product itself! <br />
<br />
While VIDA requires the artist to provide their photograph and biographical material, there is no obligation on VIDA’s part that it will post or use this information in conjunction with its promotional efforts on behalf of such artist. To the contrary, in an accompanying “Plain English Terms” explanation of the Agreement, VIDA makes clear that artist imagery may be used without a copyright notice or artists brand or logo. This not only deprives the artist of a key reason for licensing her imagery, but suggests to the public that there is no copyright claimed on the imagery used on the products, and the prospect of unlimited “innocent infringement” with minimal damage claims despite artist’s registered copyright.<br />
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A Ten Percent is offered on VIDA’s “Net Sales.” Revealingly, this 10% is offered as a “sales commission” to the artist rather than a royalty. By calling it a “sales commission,” clearly VIDA expects the artist to be the seller – not VIDA or retailers to which it is ostensibly marketing the products.<br />
<br />
The Net Sales definition includes “discounts” and “bad debts,” neither or which would the artist have any control over. Too bad if it was Uncle Lenny who failed to pay for those 500 units that he bought wholesale for resale to retailers of his acquaintance(!) And to make matters even worse, the VIDA Agreement expressly rejects any obligation to verify its listed sales information or an audit, both of which are standard provisions in legitimate licensing deals.<br />
<br />
If these particular provisions are not bad enough, VIDA then states that it “reserves the right to change these terms at any time.” Somehow, I doubt such changes will be for VIDA artists’ benefit!<br />
<br />
It is my understanding that there are a number of such online businesses including Society6, RedBubble, Art of Where, Minted and Bucketfeet. If you have questions about their contract terms, I’d be pleased to comment on those as well.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Disclaimer:</b> The information contained in this website is not intended and should not be relied upon as legal advice. Because the law is not static, and one situation will differ from the next, the results will differ as well, thus we do not assume responsibility for any actions taken based on any information contained herein. Also, be aware that the laws vary from state to state. Therefore, this website cannot replace the advice of an experienced attorney who practices within the jurisdiction involved in your issue or dispute. Receipt of this information does not create an attorney-client relationship. MJ Bogatin, Bogatin, Corman & Gold <a href="http://www.bcgattorneys.com/" target="_blank">www.bcgattorneys.com</a></i><br />
© 2017 mjbogatin<br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Have a legal question? email it to <a href="mailto:info@AnnGraphics.com" style="color: #af4040; text-decoration: none;">info@AnnGraphics.com</a>.
I will forward it to Bo. It might be a blog post! You can search "Bo's
bLAWg" to read more posts. I am looking forward to your comments and
thanks for sharing this great information on social media.</span></h4>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><b>Make my day!</b> and Buy me a cup of coffee (PayPal Link in right side bar, you don't need a PayPal acct.)<br /><br /> Don't want to miss the good stuff? Sign up for my <a href="http://anngraphics.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=386037d2b202c4c81cf52f0b0&id=16d8b5f196" target="_blank">newsletter</a> ;-)</span></h4>
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Annie - http://www.blogger.com/profile/10394158441508885491noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107407447262846085.post-60604016792518546412017-01-06T12:06:00.001-06:002017-01-08T13:24:59.086-06:00Spotlight on All Art Licensing, J’net Smith<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fLz9VgSvecQ/WG6EM146ecI/AAAAAAAAGXE/-6vnwnP7pZkhHpwmEwZotkZBP4kgYlVrQCK4B/s1600/AAL-Logo8-27-14-Med.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fLz9VgSvecQ/WG6EM146ecI/AAAAAAAAGXE/-6vnwnP7pZkhHpwmEwZotkZBP4kgYlVrQCK4B/s400/AAL-Logo8-27-14-Med.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<br />
<b>First tell us a bit about yourself.</b><br />
I grew up in Salem, Oregon. It was a wonderful childhood full of 4-H, beach combing, boating and fishing with my Dad and brother, and crafting and painting with my mother. I graduated with a combined B.S. in journalism and marketing. After a few years at a Seattle ad agency, I moved without a job to NYC to expand my horizons and see what I could do with my life. I worked for a major travel publisher for the first five years and travelled the world, usually taking 10-12 international trips a year. It was a blast! When I went to work for the president of Macmillan Publishing, I began licensing an English as a Second Language television course in conjunction with the USIA (United States Information Agency). This is where I learned about the global power of licensing. <br />
<br />
I pursued a job at United Media (the licensing division of United Feature Syndicate), where all the licensing for Peanuts was done at the time. After being hired, I was asked to work on all the lesser known characters, including Nancy and Sluggo, Marmaduke, Over the Hedge and Dilbert. I built the Dilbert business from its infancy into the first corporate global icon, generating more than $200 million a year in sales in more than 45 countries. <br />
<br />
After seven years at United Media, three years as Vice President Licensing, I decided to start my own business and moved back to the West Coast, where I also started my family. My husband, Ric, and I have a son who just turned 12. At first I worked under the name J’net Smith Inc. and in 2006, I created <a href="http://www.allartlicensing.com/" target="_blank">All Art Licensing</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XNEwH-eMen4/WG6FBKcX6dI/AAAAAAAAGXo/giwFLeVOLIsL1uUEoKNkaLUHJW7vfhqlQCK4B/s1600/ABC_logo11.15.16_FINAL_med.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XNEwH-eMen4/WG6FBKcX6dI/AAAAAAAAGXo/giwFLeVOLIsL1uUEoKNkaLUHJW7vfhqlQCK4B/s320/ABC_logo11.15.16_FINAL_med.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Would you please summarize all that you do!</b><br />
<a href="http://www.allartlicensing.com/" target="_blank">All Art Licensing</a> has two divisions, the ABC School of Licensing, which is currently still in development and includes all of our video and audio products, live classes, eBooks, templates and other educational elements, and our personal services which fall primarily into 3 categories – coaching (I help you decide what needs to be done and teach you how to do it yourself, often providing contacts and information), consulting (I do the work for you) and agenting (I occasionally still represent artists, cartoonists, brands, authors and other creatives to market their work to manufacturers, producers, retailers and others in the position to license their work).<br />
<br />
I am first and foremost a brand developer. With all clients, whether artists, cartoonists, authors and other creators, I help them envision the big picture and then find the most efficient pathway to generate money with their creativity and IP (intellectual property). I can also help them do it. A lot of what I do is eliminate hours of unnecessary work with information, knowledge and connections.<b> I love working with artists and getting them ready for the million-dollar deal, also helping them learn how to become less vulnerable and realize that they have the power to do anything they want!</b><br />
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<b>Do you have employees/help?</b><br />
Yes. I have a number of people I work with on a daily basis, both in my office and through virtual connections. In addition, I have strategic partnerships with designers, cartoonists, manufacturers, retailers, publishers, producers, attorneys, videographers, specialized agents, publicist, webmasters and other experts in their fields, whom I call on for all types of projects. No one is an island, you need relationships and the right connections to get the job done.<br />
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<b>How does Agenting and or Consulting/Coaching work if an artist comes to you for help? What do you look for in an artist/character/brand? </b><br />
When a creator comes to me they usually have an idea of how they want to work. If they are looking for an agent, they say so up front. Agents work on a percentage of the licensing revenue that they bring in for a client and the commission share can vary widely. I try to be very reasonable, and I take on only a few clients at a time. For consulting work, the client usually comes with an idea of what they are looking for and ask if X number of hours will do the job. I guide them, so that they get the most bang for the buck. Often what they think they need/want is different from what they actually need/want. We work through that in the most economical way possible. <br />
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The difference between consulting and coaching is that in consulting I do the work for the client, whereas in coaching I teach and guide the creator so that they can save money and do a lot of it themselves. Honestly, people have talents they aren’t even aware of...and I like to drill down to see what and how much they can do, and want to do. With the right guidance at those critical junctures, many people can do far more than they ever imagined! I have many clients who have been with me for years. They often come once or twice a year for direction and guidance, or for a specific purpose, such as advice on a contract or to prepare for a negotiation. Whatever help they request and need, that’s what I do. <br />
<br />
Artists sometimes come to me for coaching, but if I see they need basic licensing education before entering into the licensing arena, this is why I am developing the <a href="http://www.allartlicensing.com/on-demand/" target="_blank"><b>ABC School of Licensing courses</b></a>. The video courses and eBooks provide very detailed industry knowledge and ‘how to’ information at a price-point that the average artist can afford. I wouldn’t want to steer an artist toward investing in personal coaching, if they can get the information in a more economical format. <br />
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What I look for in an artist/character/brand varies greatly. I am very interested in artists and designers with a specific style and bent, especially those who are on the cutting edge of trends or those who cover a multitude of themes in their work. It’s really exciting to find prolific creators, who also have technical skills. For characters. I look for a well-thought-out concept that has a unique niche. Whether art or characters, knowing your target audience is key. And, of course, I love finding those creators with pure raw talent.<br />
<br />
<b>How has the Art Licensing business changed over the years?</b><br />
Oh, it’s changed quite a bit since I started. <br />
<i><b>First of all</b></i>, there is a lot more information available to artists wanting to get into this business. But I find that creators need more help than ever sorting through the information, identifying what’s valuable (will make money) and making sense of it all. A coaching session 1-2x a year can help a great deal, especially when you have decided to market yourself and not utilize the services of an agent. Or to help you find the right agent.<br />
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<i><b>Second</b></i>, there is a lot more competition in the marketplace today with more artists than ever wanting to get into the art licensing industry, while many manufacturers continue to be risk-adverse and scared to try new artists and brands. <br />
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<i><b>Third</b></i>, the technological advances in the last ten years have made a huge impact on what you can do as an artist. From being able to create your own website and product store to print-on-demand manufacturing opportunities and the ability to broadcast art, cartoons and all types of content to the world platform vs. a local stage. Again, literally, mind-bogglingly amazing! It creates a huge playing field, as never experienced before. For those who are up to the challenges, it’s incredibly exciting. <br />
<br />
<b>What sort of resources do you offer?</b><br />
I think one of the biggest resources All Art Licensing offers, in addition to our training, strategic planning, brand development, contract advice and negotiation services—to name a few—is our <a href="http://www.allartlicensing.com/minicourses/" target="_blank"><b>eighty free Minicourses</b></a> available on our website. Each one is a question I answer, from artists around the world – a kind of bite-size class available all day, every day for everyone. Scroll through the questions and I’m sure you will find something of interest that you can learn from. I find many creators, that are new to licensing, don’t even know what questions to ask and which questions and answers will be most valuable. The Minicourses give you a fantastic place to start and everyone can get a feel for the quality and type of information and advice I provide. We are also offering a great deal of information through our social media platforms. <br />
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<b>Any great news you would like to share? </b><br />
Yes, as a matter of fact, All Art Licensing is creating more training courses and will have more products available in more different learning modes than ever (streaming, video, audio, chat, conferences, etc.), under our new moniker of <a href="http://www.allartlicensing.com/on-demand/" target="_blank"><b>ABC School of Licensing</b></a> (A=Art, B=Brands, C=Characters), so please watch as we develop this over the coming year. And <i><b>I would love to hear from your readers what challenges them and what they want to learn about most. </b></i><br />
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<b>Any advice or information you would like to share? </b><br />
I would recommend creators get advice on how to grow their business sooner rather than later…and focus. It’s amazing what you can achieve when you focus, execute and then move on to the next target, rather than taking a shotgun approach and just seeing what you can hit.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jzLIAqYHtus/WG6ExNV6Z9I/AAAAAAAAGXc/e7h4y-tFCZM-ZKdbKusttAqrJwzkQX_PwCK4B/s1600/jnet%2Bwriting%2Bnotes%2Bat%2Bdesk%2BFINAL.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jzLIAqYHtus/WG6ExNV6Z9I/AAAAAAAAGXc/e7h4y-tFCZM-ZKdbKusttAqrJwzkQX_PwCK4B/s320/jnet%2Bwriting%2Bnotes%2Bat%2Bdesk%2BFINAL.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>
You can find J’net<br />
Website: <a href="http://www.allartlicensing.com/" target="_blank">http://www.allartlicensing.com/</a><br />
Blog: <a href="http://www.allartlicensing.com/blog/" target="_blank">http://www.allartlicensing.com/blog/</a><br />
Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/allartlicensing" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/allartlicensing</a><br />
Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/AllArtLicensing" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/AllArtLicensing</a><br />
LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanette-smith-91ab7a6/" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanette-smith-91ab7a6/</a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dxKlXMWB4n8/WHKR2YneWBI/AAAAAAAAGZE/dEF24nhI830x2UyaFf0sWhaQ2yHNXVv_ACK4B/s1600/2ndThursGroup_Jnet_Promo72.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dxKlXMWB4n8/WHKR2YneWBI/AAAAAAAAGZE/dEF24nhI830x2UyaFf0sWhaQ2yHNXVv_ACK4B/s320/2ndThursGroup_Jnet_Promo72.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>
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<i><b>Note:</b></i> J'net will be answering question live on February 9th in my <a href="https://artlicensingshow.com/groups/2nd-thursdays/" target="_blank">2nd Thursdays</a> text chat group on <a href="http://artlicensingshow.com/" target="_blank">ArtLicensingShow.com</a>. ALL paid members of <a href="http://artlicensingshow.com/" target="_blank">ArtLicensingShow.com</a> are welcome to join us! Send your questions to me, or post then in the comments below. <a href="mailto:info@AnnGraphics.com" target="_blank">info@AnnGraphics.com</a><br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><b>Make my day!</b> and Buy me a cup of coffee (PayPal Link in right side bar at the top of this page, you don't need a PayPal acct.)<br /> </span></h4>
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Annie - http://www.blogger.com/profile/10394158441508885491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107407447262846085.post-30286835328240621042016-12-09T14:09:00.002-06:002016-12-09T14:12:24.497-06:00Bo's bLAWg - Change in DMCA Designated Agents & Takedown Notices<div style="text-align: center;">
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December 1, 2016 Registration Process change <span style="font-kerning: none;"><i style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.52400016784668px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"> </span></i></span></h2>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.52400016784668px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-udxFO2lNa5s/WEsQJHoQXsI/AAAAAAAAGS0/i_ZJ1974V-IugJArONpIpEDjQNbVh_H3wCK4B/s1600/mjBogatin.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-udxFO2lNa5s/WEsQJHoQXsI/AAAAAAAAGS0/i_ZJ1974V-IugJArONpIpEDjQNbVh_H3wCK4B/s400/mjBogatin.jpg" /></a></span></i></span></h2>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.52400016784668px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">MJ
Bogatin (“Bo”) of Bogatin, Corman & Gold, is an Arts and
Entertainment Attorney in San Francisco. He is also Co-President of
California Lawyers for the Arts. <a href="http://www.calawyersforthearts.org/">www.calawyersforthearts.org</a><a href="http://www.calawyersforthearts.org/" style="color: #af4040; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">.</a> Bo is available to answer some of your questions surrounding the business of Art Licensing. - THANKS BO!</span></i></span><br />
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If you run a web page that allows posting of any user-generated content (even comments), it is very important that you have a DMCA Agent designated to handle takedown notice requests and disputes so you are protected under the DMCA safe-harbor provisions. Any operator of such a website is deemed a “Service Provider.” If a Service Provider does not have a registered designated agent and material is posted by one of your Users that infringes a third party’s copyright interest or other rights (i.e. a defamatory statement or violation of a third party’s right to privacy or trademark), <b>then you can be personally liable as the publisher of such material!</b><br />
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However, as long as you as the Service Provider does not actively participate in the illegal posting, or make copies, or determine to whom it is to be shared other than by and through ‘passive’ operation of the website or online bulletin board, then the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (“DMCA”) offers the Service provider legal protection from liability, known as “Safe Harbor,” but only if the Service provider has listed a Designated Agent to receive objections and act in a proper manner with respect to removal of improper postings. <br />
<a href="https://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap5.html#512" target="_blank">(See: https://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap5.html#512 )</a><br />
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As you may already be aware, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, and all the major internet Service Providers have posted Terms of Use that include pages that detail how a person who objects to posted content is to notify them. Perhaps you have had occasion to pursue such a process yourself when one of your copyrighted works was posted by a third party without your permission. The removal request process involves sending what is called a “Takedown Notice.” The specific content of the Takedown Notice is set out in online procedures such as this YouTube page: <a href="https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/6005900?hl=en" target="_blank">https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/6005900?hl=en</a><br />
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However, most website operators are not large enough to have fulltime staff to handle takedown notices. In the absence of specific Takedown Notice procedures, the DMCA sets up a process whereby the website proprietors can register their agent with the US Copyright Office to be contacted for this purpose. Simply by designating the agent and making sure the agent acts reasonably and responsibly upon receipt of complaints and/or a Takedown Notice, insures that the website owner Service Provider will not be held liable as a publisher of the illegal or offensive content.<br />
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Since 1998, Service Providers have submitted paper designations to the Copyright Office, which the Office then scanned and posted on the Office’s website to make them available to the public. Modernizing this practice, the Office has created a new, fully-electronic online system through which Service Providers can more efficiently submit and update, and the public can more easily search for and find, Designated Agent information. The amended rules govern Service Provider use of the new system and update what is required of Service Providers to remain compliant with 17 USC 512(c)(2) for Safe Harbor purposes.<br />
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On Dec. 1, 2016, the U.S. Copyright Office launched its new electronic system to designate and search for agents to receive notifications of claimed infringement. Going forward, all new DMCA takedown notice agent designations must now be made through the online registration system. Additionally, any service provider that has previously designated an agent with the Copyright Office through the old paper-based system will have until December 31, 2017, to submit a new designation electronically through the new system. Until that time, an accurate designation in the old paper-generated directory will continue to satisfy the service provider’s obligations under 17 USC 512(c)(2).<br />
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You can access the new system at: <a href="https://www.copyright.gov/dmca-directory/" target="_blank">https://www.copyright.gov/dmca-directory/</a><br />
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These DMCA filings will expire every three years, so they will need to be renewed. The Copyright Office’s new system is supposed to send out email reminders. We’ll see about that(!)<br />
Filing fees are significantly lower than they were previously: now $6 per entity. All alternative names that the public would be likely to use to search for the Service Provider’s Designated Agent must be provided. There is no limit to the number of alternative names, URLs, service names, software names, and other commonly used names that can be listed on a Service Provider’s filing for this fee. However, separate legal entities must file separately and are not considered alternative names.<br />
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The Designated Agent does not have to be a natural (living) person. Service Providers now have the option to designate a specific person (e.g., Jane Doe), specific position or title of an individual (e.g., Copyright Manager), a department within the Service Provider’s organization or even a third-party entity (e.g., ACME Takedown Service) retained to handle Takedown Notices.<br />
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The Designated Agent’s physical mail address, telephone number and email address must be provided to the Copyright Office, and a Designated Agent may now provide a post office box to be displayed as its physical address. However, in a nod to technological obsolescence, a fax number is no longer required.<br />
<i><b><br />Disclaimer: The information contained in this website is not intended as legal advice. Because the law is not static, and one situation may differ from the next, we cannot assume responsibility for any actions taken based on information contained herein. Also, be aware that the law may vary from state. Therefore, this website cannot replace the advice of an experienced attorney. Receipt of this information does not create an attorney-client relationship. MJ Bogatin, Bogatin, Corman & Gold, <a href="http://www.bcgattorneys.com/">www.bcgattorneys.com</a></b></i><br />
© 2016 MJ Bogatin<br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Have a legal question? email it to <a href="mailto:info@AnnGraphics.com" style="color: #af4040; text-decoration: none;">info@AnnGraphics.com</a>.
I will forward it to Bo. It might be a blog post! You can search "Bo's
bLAWg" to read more posts. I am looking forward to your comments and
thanks for sharing this great information on social media.</span></h4>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><b>Make my day!</b> and Buy me a cup of coffee (PayPal Link in right side bar, you don't need a PayPal acct.)<br /><br /> Don't want to miss the good stuff? Sign up for my <a href="http://anngraphics.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=386037d2b202c4c81cf52f0b0&id=16d8b5f196" target="_blank">newsletter</a> ;-)</span></h4>
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Annie - http://www.blogger.com/profile/10394158441508885491noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107407447262846085.post-34751159278997203232016-12-02T11:31:00.000-06:002016-12-02T11:31:40.376-06:00Artist Spotlight - Steph Calvert<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uX5FaOeQFjU/WDSivfUmBoI/AAAAAAAAGOY/LJFFnxAeQSULNso0RI7fRhfJp72T4f73gCK4B/s1600/steph-calvert-art-stacked-2-merge-color-1-crazyMulti-big-border-SM.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uX5FaOeQFjU/WDSivfUmBoI/AAAAAAAAGOY/LJFFnxAeQSULNso0RI7fRhfJp72T4f73gCK4B/s400/steph-calvert-art-stacked-2-merge-color-1-crazyMulti-big-border-SM.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div>
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<b> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EWPz40rCBZ4/WDSjBfD3fpI/AAAAAAAAGOg/Z_szRLn1AzMzB0Tlnm2blgzlvwxGwj7yACK4B/s1600/steph-calvert-art-2016-round-christmas-friends-illustration-art-licensing.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EWPz40rCBZ4/WDSjBfD3fpI/AAAAAAAAGOg/Z_szRLn1AzMzB0Tlnm2blgzlvwxGwj7yACK4B/s400/steph-calvert-art-2016-round-christmas-friends-illustration-art-licensing.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div>
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<b>Tell us a bit about yourself: Did you go to school for art? Are you self taught? </b><br />
I was the arty kid back in school; I can still remember getting in trouble in seventh grade for looking out the window and drawing instead of paying attention in class. Strangely enough, in high school I was fighting that and seriously thinking about going to school to be a vet - I even took classes like Latin (nerd alert!) that I thought would be helpful in college... <br />
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And then junior year, I remembered that vets deal with blood and needles.<br />
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So that was the end of that. <br />
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I went to Savannah College of Art and Design and graduated with a BFA in computer art in the spring of 1999, focusing on 2D hand drawn animation. When I came out of school, there was less and less traditional animation positions - especially for a newbie with no work experience - so I've been adapting my skills ever since.<br />
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I've worked as an in-house artist for OshKosh B'Gosh, I've illustrated two travel themed coloring books, and most recently I've created repeat patterns and t-shirt graphics for Kohl's as well as created a custom pizza box for a client that's literally COVERED with hand lettering and fun drawings! There's some really exciting new opportunities that have been coming in, but it's a tad too early to mention specifics. <br />
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<b>Do you work in just one medium? Several?</b><br />
As I've grown with my art over the years, fresh techniques get added to my process. Within the last year I feel like I've really honed in on my "style". It's all about digital painting in Photoshop, mixing in layers of hand lettering created with either paint or markers, and bringing lots of hand drawn or painted textures to the party. It's a great way to create pieces that are easy to work with on the production side of things, but I'm not chained to the computer every step of the way.<br />
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20+ years of creating artwork professionally on computers has left me always thinking and creating in layers and workability for production. When I draw with markers or paint in traditional media - acrylics, watercolors, or gouache, I usually play around on paper, and then scan everything into the computer at as high a resolution as possible and pull together my finished pieces there. Live trace, vector bits, and smart objects are my best friends. Outside of my husband of course.<br />
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I really like the control I have in Photoshop - I can call out specific Pantones, I can get more precise, I can edit that one little stray line that isn't quite working with the rest of the piece. Most importantly, everything and I mean everything is separated out into layers so I can go back and change things easily. Photoshop gives my clients peace of mind knowing the ease of production and editing they'll experience while working with me.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-35YSVVmINFs/WDSmk8-pQ8I/AAAAAAAAGPM/h6wjY-5POpwZorKoPX0KZ1BjGjelvg9lgCK4B/s1600/steph-calvert-art-2016-this-is-halloween-collection-1-01-lowRes.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-35YSVVmINFs/WDSmk8-pQ8I/AAAAAAAAGPM/h6wjY-5POpwZorKoPX0KZ1BjGjelvg9lgCK4B/s400/steph-calvert-art-2016-this-is-halloween-collection-1-01-lowRes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>What inspires you / where do you get inspiration from?</b><br />
I pull so much inspiration from my life! I've been a self employed work at home mom since our son Phil was born in 2010. Nowadays, he's in kindergarten, but his little sister Joy will be in the studio with me until she starts pre-K in a couple of years. My family is hilarious - there's lots to get inspired by.<br />
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My latest collection for licensing, This is Halloween, is inspired by some decorations my son Phil and I bought ages ago at a dollar store. My kids love the fun characters and the bright happy colors - even though those little cardboard cutouts have taken a serious beating over the years, they HAVE to have them on the walls every year! I wanted to create a group that made kids smile just as much, in colors that were classic and easy to work with alongside someone's existing Halloween home decor. I've also got a few kids book ideas on tap based on funny things that we've experienced as parents, and don't even get me started on all of the greeting card designs I'm starting to work up based on hilarious one liners that have been blurted out in our house over the years!<br />
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<b>How did you start licensing your art?</b><br />
As I ventured on the path of self employment, I was finding more and more clients were asking for web design. I was happy to oblige; I was great at it and the paycheck was fairly steady. But over time, I was finding that I was becoming more and more unhappy with my work. I missed drawing. About a year ago, I slowly started to pull away from web design; I took advantage of the Black Friday deal on some Make Art that Sells courses from Lilla Rogers, I worked my way through Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way and actually stuck it out through all twelve weeks over the summer... taking the leap of faith is really what helped push me towards art licensing.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xwFe5x4sMfo/WDSjZYtXRjI/AAAAAAAAGOw/mkmOTPpEwFUBZSx8LYt0a91VgjoDfAWJACK4B/s1600/the-solar-system-1-steph-calvert-art-1200px-watermark.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xwFe5x4sMfo/WDSjZYtXRjI/AAAAAAAAGOw/mkmOTPpEwFUBZSx8LYt0a91VgjoDfAWJACK4B/s400/the-solar-system-1-steph-calvert-art-1200px-watermark.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>What are you working on now?</b><br />
I'm wrapping up 2016 with lots of great Christmas art that'll be available for licensing, and I'm fine tuning what art I'll be working on each month for 2017. I'm playing with the idea of working within a theme for each month, a month ahead of time. So January I'll work on all things love, so I have lots of great Valentine's theme art to share all February long.<br />
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I'm also honing in on what I want my Instagram feed to look like, because that's a great way to get exposure. The balance for me is to share enough to get art directors interested, without giving away the really good stuff. One of my strengths after so much time spent working as an apparel illustrator is coming up with funny sayings that haven't been totally overused in the marketplace. It's been interesting trying to figure out how to share without sharing too much if that makes sense.<br />
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<b>Any great advice for our readers? </b><br />
Failure is for quitters - if you don't ever give up on your art, you'll never fail.<br />
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Before I shifted focus to my illustration work, there was a lot of things I was pretty attached to - like my old business name. As I started working with my agent, I quickly started to realize that if I wanted real and drastic change in my career, I needed to be as open as possible to that change! Here we are six months later - I've got a new website, a growing portfolio that's finally showing a cohesive and distinct style, and lots of prospective projects on the horizon. None of this would have been possible if I stubbornly held on to the old ways.<br />
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And keep in mind - an illustration agent isn't the silver bullet that is going to make a deluge of work come busting down your door the second you sign on. When you connect with an agent, marketing your work is still your responsibility, but now the exciting thing is you're part of a team. There's more than one of you working on bringing in projects and licensing deals - they're an advocate for you if a project goes south, and can be an amazing sounding board as you work through the direction your career needs to take. My agent Liz Sanders has been so key in helping to shape my illustration adventure!<br />
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<b>Anything else you would like to share with us?</b><br />
I'm always learning something new - it keeps things interesting. A couple of months ago my friend Kim and I took an oil painting class for the first time, and we were hooked! I don't know how well oils would work for art licensing since it takes such a long time for the paint to dry, but I'm definitely continuing to explore this medium moving forward.<br />
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I have a group of artwork that'll be seen on girls t-shirts in Kohls in Spring 2017, and I'll also be working on a kids book pitch for one of my many ideas to start shopping around next year. I'm looking forward to connecting with a literary agent that works with illustrator authors for some really fun titles!<br />
<b><br />Are you an early riser? or night owl?</b><br />
As much as I'd love to be a night owl... I'm definitely an early bird. Even when the kids don't wake up horrendously early on a summer morning, I'm still wide awake by 8am.<br />
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The upside? There's coffee.<br />
<b><br />What is your favorite food? </b><br />
All of it... Is all of it an answer?<br />
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I just like snacks is all.<br />
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But if I had to narrow it down...<br />
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I'd have to say cookies, coffee, macarons, chocolate, pizza, chips, salsa, donuts, cakes, pies, ice cream, fried chicken, cream puffs, bacon, marshmallows, Jelly Bellys, burritos, hamburgers, spaghetti, crab legs, charcuterie plates, grilled cheese sandwiches, quiche, soup, deep fried Oreos, deviled eggs, the candy parts of trail mix, midnight pancake parties, muffins, steak, and all you can eat buffets. And cheesecake.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HzV1Gx1dZnI/WDSjiu3AdQI/AAAAAAAAGO4/r1UexDjO4kEx324rKTZLXNPZBLAHIwDQACK4B/s1600/u-is-for-unicorn-steph-calvert-art-illustration.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HzV1Gx1dZnI/WDSjiu3AdQI/AAAAAAAAGO4/r1UexDjO4kEx324rKTZLXNPZBLAHIwDQACK4B/s400/u-is-for-unicorn-steph-calvert-art-illustration.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>
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<b>You can find Steph:</b><br />
Liz Sanders Agency: <a href="http://lizsanders.com/" target="_blank">http://lizsanders.com/</a><br />
Email: <a href="mailto:hi@stephcalvertart.com">hi@stephcalvertart.com</a><br />
Portfolio: <a href="http://stephcalvertart.com/" target="_blank">http://stephcalvertart.com</a><br />
Facebook: <a href="http://facebook.com/stephcalvertart" target="_blank">http://facebook.com/stephcalvertart</a><br />
Instagram: <a href="http://instagram.com/stephcalvertart" target="_blank">http://instagram.com/stephcalvertart</a><br />
Twitter: <a href="http://twitter.com/stephcalvertart" target="_blank">http://twitter.com/stephcalvertart</a><br />
Pinterest: <a href="http://pinterest.com/stephcalvertart" target="_blank">http://pinterest.com/stephcalvertart</a><br />
LinkedIn: <a href="http://linkedin.com/in/stephcalvert" target="_blank">http://linkedin.com/in/stephcalvert</a><br />
Behance: <a href="https://www.behance.net/stephcalvertart" target="_blank">https://www.behance.net/stephcalvertart</a><br />
Tumblr: <a href="http://stephcalvertart.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">http://stephcalvertart.tumblr.com</a><br />
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<i><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><b>Make my day!</b> and Buy me a cup of coffee (PayPal Link in right
side bar, you don't need a PayPal acct.).<br />
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Don't want to miss the good stuff? Sign up for my newsletter ;-) Want to be spotlighted? email me: <a href="mailto:info@AnnGraphics.com">info@AnnGraphics.com</a></span></span></i></h4>
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<i><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4L4SkO2FYnw/WDSl7aG2pvI/AAAAAAAAGPE/tbt3YRy1P74WYH63sROSBddVnNvgxhXegCK4B/s1600/Annie2014-web%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4L4SkO2FYnw/WDSl7aG2pvI/AAAAAAAAGPE/tbt3YRy1P74WYH63sROSBddVnNvgxhXegCK4B/s400/Annie2014-web%2Bcopy.jpg" /></a> </span></span></i></h4>
<br />Annie - http://www.blogger.com/profile/10394158441508885491noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107407447262846085.post-36853419992531662932016-11-15T11:10:00.002-06:002016-11-15T11:48:40.434-06:00Bo's bLAWg - Product Liability Insurance: What you should know<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.52400016784668px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wk4fDDF6pQE/WCtAB79LIxI/AAAAAAAAGM8/qTkMgLF8W4s6y-0FnCRSe18J0qTfSD69gCK4B/s1600/mjBogatin.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wk4fDDF6pQE/WCtAB79LIxI/AAAAAAAAGM8/qTkMgLF8W4s6y-0FnCRSe18J0qTfSD69gCK4B/s400/mjBogatin.jpg" /></a></span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.52400016784668px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></i></span>
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13.52400016784668px;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">MJ Bogatin (“Bo”) of Bogatin, Corman & Gold, is an Arts and Entertainment Attorney in San Francisco. He is also Co-President of California Lawyers for the Arts. <a href="http://www.calawyersforthearts.org/" style="color: #af4040; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.calawyersforthearts.org</a><a href="http://www.calawyersforthearts.org/" style="color: #af4040; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">. </a>Bo is available to answer some of your questions surrounding the business of Art Licensing. - THANKS BO!</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b><i>What is product liability insurance and do I need it? Thanx. Liz</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">Thanks for your question, Liz. Way back in my first Illustrators’ bLAWg, I addressed critical issues in a manufacturing license. Product Liability Insurance was one of the more esoteric issues that I did not mention in that bLAWg. </span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://annietroe.blogspot.com/2015/02/bos-blawg-what-should-be-in-art.html" target="_blank">http://annietroe.blogspot.com/2015/02/bos-blawg-what-should-be-in-art.html</a></span><br />
<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://annietroe.blogspot.com/2015/02/bos-blawg-what-should-be-in-art.html"><br /></a></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">Product liability insurance is protection against claims of injury associated with a manufactured product. It is usually purchased by the manufacturer to cover claims that someone has suffered damages on account of some dangerous condition or flaw in the product that has caused injury in the course of use of the item. The short answer to your question, Liz, is “No, you do not need to obtain product liability insurance for yourself <i>unless You are manufacturing products</i>.”</span><br />
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span>
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Nowadays, more and more artists are arranging for manufacture of their own product lines and offering them wholesale or retail. To the extent that an artist is putting herself in the vertical line of sales, it would certainly be prudent to have product liability insurance coverage. Ideally, however, this is not something the artist should have to purchase for herself, but coverage she could </span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;">obtain by and through the manufacturer</span><span style="font-kerning: none;">. Because product liability insurance is a normal business expense of all manufacturers, it is fairly standard for people who make individual contributions to the product being manufactured have the manufacturer make them an “Additional Insured” to the manufacturer’s policy. However, if the manufacturing has taken place in China or some country where the artist cannot rely on Additional Insured coverage to be provided by such manufacturer, (or an intermediary “packager” or distributor), then she may do well to obtain her own coverage if the product involved carries any risk of consumer injury.</span><br />
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-kerning: none;">While it is hard to imagine how an illustrator who licenses an image for use in a given product might ever be personally liable for a product liability claim, it is not unheard of for the illustrator to be named in a product liability complaint. Since product liability insurance includes legal defense representation, being an Additional Insured on the manufacturer’s coverage is an important consideration. <b>The manufacturer can most likely have contributors like an artist added without charge, but having the coverage name you are the artist can be invaluable.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Obviously, the artist would not typically be legally responsible for the harm done by the product. Because a mug with your illustration was poorly made and had a tendency to shatter and cause injury, the artist would not be found liable even if they were sued. The only situation in which an artist client of mine has had to defend, is when a Chinese-manufactured puzzle had been printed with ink that turned out to be the cause of a child’s illness. She had nothing to do with the choice of ink used on the puzzle, and was in short order dismissed from the action by the manufacturer’s insurance defense lawyers. But being named as an Additional Insured gave her a right to rely upon the coverage, without first having to claim against the manufacturer to defend and indemnify her. Were that tender not accepted, in the absence of the coverage, the artist might be out-of-pocket to defend, even if they were not liable for the claimant’s damages.</span><br />
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-kerning: none;">But what if it was the artist who had arranged for the Chinese-publication on behalf of the manufacturer? The product liability coverage could be a financial ‘life-saver.’ The lessons learned were: have product liability coverage in place just in case, and don’t let your child eat puzzle pieces. </span><br />
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span>
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i><b>Disclaimer</b>: The information contained in this website is not intended as legal advice. Because the law is not static, and one situation may differ from the next, we cannot assume responsibility for any actions taken based on information contained herein. Also, be aware that the law may vary from state. Therefore, this website cannot replace the advice of an experienced attorney. Receipt of this information does not create an attorney-client relationship. MJ Bogatin, Bogatin, Corman & Gold, </i><a href="http://www.bcgattorneys.com/"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); color: blue;">www.bcgattorneys.com</span></a></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">© 2016 mjbogatin</span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Have a legal question? email it to <a href="mailto:info@AnnGraphics.com" style="color: #af4040; text-decoration: none;">info@AnnGraphics.com</a>. I will forward it to Bo. It might be a blog post! You can search "Bo's bLAWg" to read more posts. I am looking forward to your comments and thanks for sharing this great information on social media.</span></h4>
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Annie - http://www.blogger.com/profile/10394158441508885491noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107407447262846085.post-36840756142626798722016-11-04T09:43:00.000-05:002016-11-04T09:43:22.544-05:00Artist Spotlight - Cathy Braffet Richardson<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NfQF9-4e18A/WBdVRFcVP5I/AAAAAAAAGI4/sUEGjqnkSqwFPg9Baiuxlqy7onD8AYiDACK4B/s1600/cathyb1.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="335" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NfQF9-4e18A/WBdVRFcVP5I/AAAAAAAAGI4/sUEGjqnkSqwFPg9Baiuxlqy7onD8AYiDACK4B/s400/cathyb1.png" width="400" /></a></b></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Tell us a bit about yourself: Did you go to school for art? Are you self taught?</b></span><br />
<b>Art to me: The constant appreciation of visual awareness is something that inspires me every day... whether working on a freelance project, creating my own line of designs, hosting a workshop or collaborating with my kids on an art project or dreaming about starting a creative business with my daughter Melissa, art and the creative process is part of my soul. </b><br />
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Looking back to my drawings and paintings as a kid, I have always loved bright color, whimsical line and bold shapes. From a very young age I remember creating art.... when ever I could. I vividly remember how I felt looking at colors in the sky at different times of the day, and the negative space/composition looking up into the sky through canopy of leaves in a tree. Nature’s lessons shaping my passion of graphic arts and design before I even knew what that was. I believe my creative connection with others, a relationship with nature and a spiritual trust have all built my foundation as an artist.<br />
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I received my BFA from Syracuse University's School of Visual Art, where I learned creative discipline and confidence that I could be one day be successful doing what <b>I love</b>. THIS, and supportive parents were the key to the start of my professional life as an artist. After college I studied abroad in Europe through a post graduate semester at Parsons and found my passion of printed fabric and architecture. Both geometric, and organic forms and the repetition in both design disciplines have also shaped my style and visual presence. During my early 20s I lived and worked in NYC. My first graphic design position was at Kick Design where I learned what licensed character art "was". The impact of how the design process of licensed consumer goods was a field I would eternally be connected to. In the mid 90s I was hired by The Walt Disney Company in Los Angeles as a staff designer at Disney Consumer Products. This to me was an artist's dream come true. <br />
Learning about licensing, design in consumer markets from my mentors during this time of my life helped me build confidence in own art style and brought me to where I am today. My licensing agents, Paul and Marcy at Creatif have been wonderful helping me grow as an illustrator. My clients help me to grow professionally but also allow me to keep current in market trends and in technology. <br />
Most importantly, my family teaches and supports me daily with creative balance and bless my life. This is an art of itself.<br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Do you work in just one medium? Several? </b></span><br />
On a daily basis I work in Adobe Illustrator and have a love affair with vector points for sure. That said, it is my natural joy to paint and draw in a mixed medium format with acrylics/dyes/pens brushes and textures in my sketch books. Creating art with others in either a one-on-one or workshop format “fills my cup! And gets the creative juices flowing”. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7T24zsG3THI/WBdVdU87CyI/AAAAAAAAGJA/OZKrAEh_6akGkxIeX169hol3p0OLsMzwgCK4B/s1600/cathyb2.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7T24zsG3THI/WBdVdU87CyI/AAAAAAAAGJA/OZKrAEh_6akGkxIeX169hol3p0OLsMzwgCK4B/s400/cathyb2.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #741b47;">What inspires you / where do you get inspiration from? </span></b><br />
I find inspiration from my kids; their interests, their lifestyle markets in apparel, home goods, social media trends, music and actually their dreams and desires. I also have always found inspiration through color palettes in fashion and in nature, amazing visual artists, activists and yogis and of course our beautiful Texas Sky.... <br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><b>How did you start licensing your art? </b></span><br />
Throughout my career I have worked with entertainment licenses ie Disney etc, designing art for a license OR designing art-product for a licensee. I thought for many years, if flowers I create for Minnie Mouse can sell and be admired, "MY" Flowers for Cathy B. can sell too! Creatif, my agents and I found each other at a perfect time and the story moves on and up from there :) <br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><b>What are you working on now?</b></span><br />
Currently I am freelancing for The Disney Stores and saving up my pennies to start a creative business with my daughter Melissa. We are so excited to create & sell "our art line" on t shirts and other products! Its WIP and very exciting!!!! I am also working on a line of baby prints in a watercolor style which is sort of new for me.<br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Any great advice for our readers?</b></span><br />
My advice to any creative person, is DON'T GIVE UP! And to have an open mind to see and hear others in a creative process. I have learned there are MANY ways and many directions to take something and always areas to grow - a project, a career direction and a dream. Knowing or experiencing what you "don't like" is just as important as knowing what you LOVE. Don't be scared professionally to share your art with others. Supporting other artists, trusting in creative collaboration is amazing! Respect, <b>have gratitude</b> and embrace the "art" of communication and connection with others, with your art and with your creative environment.<br />
<span style="color: #741b47;"><b><br />Anything else you would like to share with us? </b></span><br />
<b>I would love to ask the reader a question, What is your life purpose and what is your mission with your art?</b> This is something I have been working on personally for the past few years and has been extremely important to me in my creative and professional journey. What I have come up with is this: AND I LOVE it. It have brought a deeper purpose into my art and my direction.<br />
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<b>care. create. communicate</b> <br />
This is my mission and my creative purpose.<br />
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Gosh, I'd love for you all to check out my website. In the new year, it will be updated with some really fun new and current projects as well as a link to "our store" My daughter and I are opening up a very special little business! <a href="http://www.cathybdesign.com/" target="_blank">www.cathybdesign.com </a><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i_AxqVdrnRY/WBdVmlrWOGI/AAAAAAAAGJI/dLtU-f9f7Mo3s3xz2nskoxxIhERQIfb4gCK4B/s1600/CathyB.CollegeTrunk.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i_AxqVdrnRY/WBdVmlrWOGI/AAAAAAAAGJI/dLtU-f9f7Mo3s3xz2nskoxxIhERQIfb4gCK4B/s400/CathyB.CollegeTrunk.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><b>Are you an early riser? or night owl? </b></span><br />
I am a total night owl and some of my best work comes from working all nighters and sometimes even last minute deadlines! (shhh!) :) Finding your groove with sleep patterns/creative process for sure helps with starting and or finishing a project! Now that took years to figure out.....<br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><b>What is your favorite food? </b></span> <br />
Dark chocolate, my daughter's chocolate chip cookies, "The Fountain" veggie juice from Juice Land and yellow tail sushi.<br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><b>You can find Cathy Braffet Richardson: </b></span><br />
<a href="http://www.cathybdesign.com/" target="_blank">www.cathybdesign.com </a><br />
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I also have a little word of mouth local"ish" side business creating personalized gifts that might be worth checking out: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/cathybdesign" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/cathybdesign</a><br />
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Creatif Licensing: <a href="http://www.creatifusa.com/" target="_blank">http://www.creatifusa.com/ </a><br />
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Lastly, I want to thank Annie for connecting with me through linked in, this is such a powerful networking platform. Used correctly with a little elbow grease and communication skills, connecting with professionals here has been very successful. <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathybdesign" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathybdesign</a><br />
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Annie - http://www.blogger.com/profile/10394158441508885491noreply@blogger.com4