“ Yes but, if I word it in a different way, then it isn't really copying is it?”

I am amazed at the response I got from my last post on copying, I opened a Pandora’s Box?

I received lots of wonderful comments and others hoping I would justify their position, “kind of copying but not really, only kind of copying” and lots of emails, again wanting me to give a second opinion on my own opinion.

So I decided I would try and answer some of the challenges.

To start with, I am not a legal expert on copyright law, if you want that kind of opinion then you need to speak to a lawyer.

I am an Art consultant and Artist of 40 years experience, I am giving you my opinion and how I work in this industry.

I am amazed how many artists do copy and want to justify that position.

I am not sure why when there is so much material out there that you can paint without ever having to use another Artists image and there can be no excuse in this day and age with not being able to take a photo of a scene, when we all walk around with cameras in our phones?

I thought about this, most artists want to make the big show and get recognition for their work, understandable. I had one person ask if they do a painting of the Mona Lisa that its ok because it is in a French museum and they would not do anything about it. Maybe so if you are exhibiting it in small town art gallery, but if you did by chance make it really big and this painting when for millions and you do not have permission to use the image, they would be well within there rights to sue and they would win as you never sort for permission. It is always ok when there is no money involved but once the dollars start coming in it all changes and ignorance is no excuse.

Look at George Harrison's song of “ My sweet Lord.” He said he did not copy, he lost, millions changed hands.

I always get Andy Warhol pushed at me when I talk about this subject where ever I go, I do not know if he had permission for the images he made but I consider him a very smart Artist and I do not think he would have done anything that could put in jeopardy his business, I could be wrong.

I stand on what I said, “A copy is a copy and always will be a copy, no matter how you try to explain that it is not a copy, it is a copy.”

Throw bricks at me if you wish but we should all want the best standards in our industry.

If you want to use another Artists image.

Get written permission.

Acknowledge it is theirs on your painting. “ after Picasso”.

Don't just use it because you can, that's not right.

But the best advice I can give you about copying is, don't copy.

Be original and produce your own original art work, do not be a copy be the real thing.

Be an Artist that produces original art work from within your own creative inner self.

I will always hang an original painting, but never knowingly a copy of another Artists image.

Create beautiful original paintings, that's got to be better than being a copy of someone else.

It really is up to you?

A copy is a copy and will always be a copy.

I hope this has made my position very clear, if in doubt, don't.

Love your paintings, love painting, love yourself.

Mark Shellshear.

Art consultant.

The other two posts if you have not read them, please click on the links below.

http://markshellshear.blogspot.com/2015/11/he-was-copied-and-it-nearly-ruined-his.html

http://markshellshear.blogspot.com/2015/11/when-is-it-ok-to-copy.html