Other than that, “You go girl!”

Thanks for looking out for me. I’m glad you like the paintings

My point being there is always somebody looking to set an a example. Just be careful.

I really like your newphew painting as well. I think you get a feel for him.

Glad to see you back. Been searching the blogs for you, hoping all was well.

Interestingly though, I’m happier with the Yoof painting I did than the Bob Marley one, simply because I know it is completely original because it was painted using a photo of my nephew. So there’s something to be said for using your own reference photo’s. My 9 year old nephew doesn’t have many fans yet though so I’m not sure how popular that painting will be in comparison!

When I first started college, as an art major — later changed, we had life drawing — but most of the professors at that time, believed only the nonrepresentational could be art in modern times. I remember some fellow student, who already could draw quite well, being mocked by the professor for saying Andrew Wyeth was his favorite artist. Long time ago, but something that kept me from showing anybody my work for a long time.

Thanks for the article information, I went to the site, and will certainly look for that magazine at Barnes&Noble. Angela

My guess is your training that banned photos was either life drawing or for non-representational works?

I think the difference with using the wetcanvas photos for an exercise is that is what it’s intentional purpose was. (and of course that you didn’t become famous for it and make millions.) If that should happen, something more might rise from it’s usage. So yes, my post was about copyright issues. As someone who creates work for resale owning copyrights to what I produce is my number one priority.

But as to photo usage, people ask me ALL of the time whether I use photos. Of course I say I do. I mean seriously. . . if a WCP piece takes 6 weeks to complete exactly how am I supposed to do it without reference. In general I find that it’s the artists who work non-representatinally who make the biggest stink over using photographic reference. They don’t need them so no one else should either.

There is definately a bias, even among my own art group between representaional work and non-representational. I accept it as part of the whole world I live in. There are galleries who tend to prefer the contemporary and abstract and though I attend their shows I never expect an award.

On the flip side, I get awards every year and I have been offered numerous solo exhibition from many well respected art centers and galleries, (some even that my art group applied to as a group and got rejected) so don’t for a minute believe that everyone shares that opinion.

Mostl pet portrait artists state that once they do someone’s pet from the photo supplied, the copyright for the portrait belongs to the artist — which is confusing — but the source needs to agree.

Much of my artistic training banned use of reference photos at all (much of it (not all, though) also banned realism, LOL). I am sensitive about this photograph issue, as I found it refreshing to share doing a photo on wetcanvas as a fun and educational exercise. I know your point is about copyright and I will stay aware. However, I hope all this controversary does not lead to considering art done from photos as lesser art or nonart, as I have seen many people saying that sort of thing lately in forums, also. Angela