COPYCATS....

To quote Nick Douglas in his article -
An Artist Explains What "Great Artists Steal" Really Means

'“A good composer does not imitate; he steals,” Igor Stravinsky supposedly said. Faulkner allegedly phrased it as “Immature artists copy, great artists steal.” Steve Jobs put it most simply: “Good artists copy, great artists steal.” The saying regularly inspires artists, thinkers, and dorm-room poster designers. But in practical terms, what does it mean?

There are some definitely wrong interpretations. “Steal” here doesn’t mean “plagiarize;” that doesn’t turn anyone into a great artist. It explicitly doesn’t mean “copy.” So what’s left? Plenty.'

In Nick's article he explores various options...

Make the idea yours...
Follow the pattern...
Be ethical...

Read his article for further info - click on his heading for the link...

One of mine...

A copycat....

One of mine...

A copycat....

So whilst this is an age-old problem, I recently had an artist contacting me off instagram asking me if she could copy my most recent painting for commercial gain... When I expressed that I would rather she not, she sent me some links on another artist who is flagrantly copying my work - with the comment that 'that' artist hadn't asked permission, whilst she had... Whilst I respect that she did contact me, it doesn't grant a passage of right... We all know that copyright laws are notoriously expensive to fight...

We left it that she would copy me but would express to her buyer that she hadn't received my permission...