Recently I changed my views about copyright, largely due to the persuasive and intelligent arguments of artist Gwenn Seemel (this is only one sample!)

I agree with the copyleft movement, in that I think copyright has gone to far.  It has stifled folks through fear of retribution from inspiration, discussion, and innovation, all of which art should stimulate!

I’ve begun to notice artist’s sharing their personal journals, and taking the time to give elaborate information on the photograph.  WTF?  The other day I was annoyed by the fact that an artist noted the photographer they sketched from whilst stuck in a snowstorm (and their sketch looked little like the image), but following the link to the photographer’s site that same photographer had not given the architects their due while taking pictures of their creative works, the buildings.  If a photographer makes money taking pictures of Frank Gehry’s museums, shouldn’t Frank be given a royalty check?  Or the owner of the building?  Where does it end?

It is nice, of course, to give credit where credit is due if you are appreciative.  All artists need to make money to live and create more art.

AND, all art is derivative!  Somewhere, somehow, 99.99% was influenced by someone else’s art.  Art should be a conversation, it should be shared, it should be inspirational!  I would be honored if another artist was moved by what I painted and then went on to paint something that was influenced by my art.  It is hard to create when you are in fear that you will be sued for copyright, even when your work is steps away from the original, or in the case of a photograph to a drawing, in a very different form.  Hearts and minds vibrate an interpretation of their horse, their bull, their missions and barns et all, and if it looks a bit like mine, then it does.  I inspired.

If you repost my work please link back to this blog.  It’s just a nice thing to do.  I’d do it for you!

My older work all says “©D.Katie Powell” and it is just too much work to change a hundred images.  However, I am now agreeing to the  Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial 4.0 International License, which you can learn more about by visiting the site, or, visit my web page for a more user-freindly summary on my terms.

Finally, if you want to offer a donation, buy art cards and send them off to friends!  Help spread my images, which will be the ultimate thank you!