You can read the original post here. I’ve moved it due to the sheer length of the post.
Update:
I was finally removed from the site mentioned and can now move on past it. It’s sad that it took speaking out like this to finally pressure her into complying and removing me (from a site I shouldn’t have even been listed on for the past couple of years). Find it quite funny that as soon as I mentioned that I would soon seek legal advice, suddenly things were coming down off her site. Odd? Just sayin’…
The word apparently spread like wildfire and made her rightly uncomfortable. Well I am glad. I hope she will comply for the other artists who are/may be still battling to get out so they can be free to license with good and honest people . My sympathy goes to them. Playing cover up doesn’t change past wrongs or the fact that they happened but I am glad to be free of it now. Thank you for that much.
To the people who have noted that making this post does me more harm than good – and to the ones who shake their head and think I’ve only ran off any honest/good company who would care to deal with me after telling my story I say: I think you are wrong to tell me to cover up the bad experiences – to go on painting the world rosy for the happy masses. I have a vast respect for the written word and the truth. Unlike some, I am not clawing my way to the top in any way possible and I don’t just take any and every deal that comes my way. I am in no hurry when it comes to my art because I have confidence in the quality of my work. It is what it is and people will see that.
I might add that I had this post hidden for a while. It was not deleted. I just felt that it might be a bit intimidating to have on my front page merely due to the length of the post (it’d be nice if bits could be hidden behind cuts LJ fashion… perhaps there’s some plugin for that… will look into it!). A few people asked about it, wanting to read it. So I’ve unhidden it for now. I plan to add a static homepage soon so folks won’t just be bombarded by long or boring posts when I add them. That should fix the problem…
A friend posted a link to this and it’s truly helpful. It’s also why I’m terrified to tiptoe into the actual art world and play at the fringes of it. I went through similar downtime with the economy and I’m not quite out of it yet, but definitely at times end up feeling my art isn’t good enough to even try. It’s Far too daunting right now to imagine negotiating contracts that I don’t have any funds to fight for if something went wrong. Either way, thank you so much for your article.
I know, sweetie. I have heard this story as you told it to me in the short version. Believe me, it infuriates me that this has happened to you. ((hugs))
As owner of Artistic Dreams Imaging (we represent several artists and exhibit prints and PSP tubes) I am sorry both you and your works were handled and managed so disrespectfully. I truly hope you find what you seek and have a more favorable response in your future endeavors.
Warm Regards,
Linda Childers
Artistic Dreams Imaging
http://www.artisticdreams.us
Wow — that’s a sad situation, and I’m sorry you had to experience it. (I’ve had some minor negative things with galleries, but that’s another story). I hope things will work out in time and you can focus on making the very best art you can — ultimately, that seems to be what solves problems, certain kinds, anyway.
The only other thing I’m concerned about for your career over the long haul: be VERY careful about what you post on your Website. I know you want to warn other artists about what’s been going on, but potential buyers may read the above and feel a bit turned-off. Any kind of complaining, no matter how valid, can and is perceived as unprofessional, and you don’t want to come across that way. On the one hand, I appreciate what you’ve said and it’s good advice to other artists in your genre, especially with the society you alluded to. But, again, it’s all about your image, and you need to guard it zealously.
I hope what I wrote will be taken in its intended spirit and that you can move on with your painting career. Definitely be careful, and know that sometimes no matter how careful we try to be, sometimes a few slugs get through. But doing some homework will minimize — but not eliminate — this. I love your work and have your site saved as an MSN Favorite. I don’t paint fairies very often, but when I do, I need to see work by artists like you to get me past that first scary step of getting started!
Thanks.
I’m glad you like my art so much and I know what it’s like to need inspiration! There are lots of fantasy artists that I love and inspire me all the time. You make a very good point and I mulled over this before I wrote this post… I’ve come to the conclusion that I personally would rather not deal with anyone who would so shallowly judge an artist based on a true experience or one that would discourage artists from networking with and protecting fellow artists. That is exactly the sort of negative environment I experienced with a certain society.
{{{HUGS}}}
It is aqrtists like you that are brave enough to step up and account your experiences honestly that help us other artists navigate past those same traps!
THANK YOU on behalf of all other artists that have the same dreams and might fall for the same hook and line … and I hope that it ceases to be any source of discontent.
Please never give up on your art, you do BEAUTIFUL work and you deserve to be successful and happy with how your art is being represented and distributed.
This is an extraordinary share. Thank you for this writing.