What if you do become famous?

Question: “How to distinguish someone who is the genuine painter and not an impostor or impersonator, especially if you are buying art online? Quite obviously this will affect the reputation of the original painter. From my experience I’ve sold some original paintings to friends in Asia and there are troublemakers who alleged that the paintings were not painted by me but theirs. Thanks if you could advice on this.”

As more and more Artists are selling online they will need to make sure they can prove that the painting is theirs in the future. Here are some steps that you can take to protect your work after the sale is completed and prove that you are the Artist.

First I would not only photograph the painting but also you get photographed with the painting in your studio with other work clearly visible.

Every Artist should have a record of every painting that they paint, if you haven't then I encourage you to start.

In his record/catalogue have a small photo of the painting, very important to have a catalogue number, the date it was completed, medium and size. When it is sold record the name of the buyer and the date it was shipped in the catalogue as well, this way you have proof of the authenticity of your painting.

On the card that you attach to the back of the painting, which I have talked about in previous videos, where you have your photo with the painting, all your information, email address, phone number, Facebook page etc also put the title of the painting, the medium and the date, then put the catalogue number so in the years to come it is very easy to prove it is yours.

A good practice also is to ask the buyer to please send you a photo of the painting by email hanging in their home which you can then add to your catalogue, more proof.

This is a small discipline that could save you a lot of heartache in the future and it will also help if someone steals your image by coping it and you have proof that you were the original Artist and you own the image, doing this protects your Art practice, it is not foolproof but it is doing something that most Artists do not do.

I encourage all Artists to please consider this because it is good practice and when you become famous it will stop a lot of fakes getting out of your work because you have clear proof of what is your work.

Please do not say I will never be famous so I don’t need to do it, what if you do become famous?

You need this to protect your paintings from unscrupulous people.

Now, would be a good time to start recording your Art?