I specialize in creating mandalas -- and the tattoo crowd loves them. I've had many situations where people think they can come into my booth and take a picture of one of my pieces so they can go show their tattoo artist.
I explain that it is an original design - and that they need to delete the photo and consider purchasing the piece -- but that doesn't go over very well in most cases. The people who think it's just fine to snap a photo and basically steal the design seem to think it's their "right". Amazing!!
My tattoo story is the reverse. One of the young women for whom I am currently building a trick saddle sent me a picture of a floral tattoo and asked me to create the sewn design on the padded seat after it. It's has an Asiatic lily in it which I have used before but fancier. Fun stuff.
Valerie VanOrden > Richard L. ShererSeptember 12, 2013 at 4:52pm
This is an interesting discussion. Truly, one should consider tattoos an art form.
How about artists who have tattoos of their own artwork on them. A friend of mine is a cartoonist who specializes in dragons doing all kind of stuff. He's had his own designs tattooed on his arms.
Basically, what I mean when I say I "let them" buy my images and take to the tattoo artist, is I can't really control what they do with my image. LIke I don't check people's bodies for tattoos and then call the copyright police, if you catch my drift.
If someone wants to tattoo one of sculpted wood boxes on themselves then I have no problem with it at all...heck, they can even tattoo my website address on themselves if they want to
ha ha but...what if they hock an image off of one of your boxes and tattoo that? Charge them? Your boxes don't have images, yes? For visual artists this can be an issue, it is for me anyway.
Well, I guess that is another market to think about. If you have designs that people what to wear forever on their arm or back, go for it. Of course, charge for your work.
Replies
I specialize in creating mandalas -- and the tattoo crowd loves them. I've had many situations where people think they can come into my booth and take a picture of one of my pieces so they can go show their tattoo artist.
I explain that it is an original design - and that they need to delete the photo and consider purchasing the piece -- but that doesn't go over very well in most cases. The people who think it's just fine to snap a photo and basically steal the design seem to think it's their "right". Amazing!!
Maybe people think whatever they see is public domain. I guess the answer is to emblazon "Sample" or such over the piece diagonally to prevent this.
This is an interesting discussion. Truly, one should consider tattoos an art form.
How about artists who have tattoos of their own artwork on them. A friend of mine is a cartoonist who specializes in dragons doing all kind of stuff. He's had his own designs tattooed on his arms.
Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
Basically, what I mean when I say I "let them" buy my images and take to the tattoo artist, is I can't really control what they do with my image. LIke I don't check people's bodies for tattoos and then call the copyright police, if you catch my drift.
If someone wants to tattoo one of sculpted wood boxes on themselves then I have no problem with it at all...heck, they can even tattoo my website address on themselves if they want to
ha ha but...what if they hock an image off of one of your boxes and tattoo that? Charge them? Your boxes don't have images, yes? For visual artists this can be an issue, it is for me anyway.
scan 0309eagle.jpg
Well, I guess that is another market to think about. If you have designs that people what to wear forever on their arm or back, go for it. Of course, charge for your work.
I don't like tattoos yet I allow people to buy my images and take them to the tattoo artist.