I see several journals floating into my inbox every week of artists reminding their audience/watchers that their artwork is theirs and no one elses; sometimes reminding them with a threat of the iron fist. The journals usually just spout the usual "you may no use my artwork without permission" or the "these works are COPYRIGHTED".

The reason why I am writing this journal is because I want to show people that not all artists are in agreement. We don't all want the law to crack down and fight off people using our work. This journal is a bit different. I'm not going to remind you that my artwork is copyrighted or that you're not allowed to use it or copy it, etc. Because that's not true. I'm not going to stop anyone who decides to take my artwork and alter it, sell it, claim it as their own. I really don't care if anyone decides to do that. It's hard to explain why, my reasoning is still a little disorganized, but I'll try to do my best to explain why.

Contrary to what some artists say, I don't make artwork for myself. I mean I do, to an extent. I do make art to express myself and my ideas. I do it out of a primal spark inside me but if I did make artwork only for myself then I wouldn't post it online. I wouldn't show it to other people. I wouldn't go to critiques and be getting my BFA. I challenge the notion that some people make art only for themselves. If you did, why bother showing it to the world if you don't care what the world thinks? I think you do care. I care. I want to be somewhat selfless. I want my art to function somewhere beyond the bubble of my mind. That's why I make artwork for myself but also for you and everyone else. If you see as I see, if you feel as I feel, if you connect to my artwork in some way. Then I've done my job. Even if you connect to my work negatively or positively. If challenged your way of thinking or if I just simply made you laugh or cry then I view it as a success. My art is yours and I want you to use it in any way you see fit.

This means if you become inspired by my work and you want to draw over it and re-post it in your own gallery, go for it. If you want to change the colors and call it a new piece, go for it. I love the idea of the remix. Remix a song, a movie, or a photograph. Nothing should be off-limits. Use it anyway you want. I love the idea that my artwork is floating about somewhere and someone is using it for another purpose. They chose my piece out of millions of others. I'm humbled. I want my art to serve the public.

My political stance is the free exchange of information. Artwork is exactly this. Information, especially when it comes to the digital realm. Taking one of my images and posting it on your website, blog, or printing it out and sharing it with your friends isn't stealing. Either is taking one of my images and selling them on a website somewhere. I didn't lose anything. If you took a sculpture I made in real life, that would be stealing because I don't have my sculpture anymore, but taking a digital image from me leaves me with the same digital image I had moments ago. This is copying. Copying is not theft in my book. This is probably one of my most controversial stances/opinions when it comes to copyrights, etc. I give my art work to the public domain, I kind of view the notion of posting it online as such. It is no longer mine, it is everyone's. I have this rule for my artwork and also at the stock group I manage, #nocreditstock

It is impossible to stop anyone from taking my artwork anyways. Watermarks can be photoshopped out (no matter how intricate they are), digital watermarks can be erased, disabling right click on your website can be evaded. Often in attempt to stop thieves, people sacrifice the mission of their artwork. At the end of the day, if a thief really wants your artwork, they are going to get it. I could buy a small 5 x 7 of your artwork on deviantart, scan it into the computer at a high resolution and start selling 30 foot prints of your work if I really wanted to. The nature of the internet and age of technology we live in gives us this ability. There is nothing you can to combat it. That's why I don't even begin to try. Because it futile and I don't find it to be a cause and movement I want to be apart of.

If someone started claiming my artwork as their own, it would never work. No one can take away my ability to create artwork and come up with ideas. The only thing this person could do is pretend that they made my work. I will always make artwork. They can't make my artwork, they can only steal my identity temporarily. Considering how the internet works, everything is connected. People will find you out so your claim to my artwork will always be shortlived. I'm not threatened by thieves.

I want my artwork to be accessible. That's why I provide full 300dpi and high resolution downloads of every art piece I make. I want you to be able to print it out yourself and hang it on your wall. I'm also willing to print one out for you a ship it to you (in case you don't have access to a high quality printer). Now some of you are probably wondering why I sell prints here on deviantart if I just give away the full quality images as a download. Well, when you buy a print from me I consider it a donation. You willingly purchased a print from me despite being able to just download it for free and much cheaper print it off yourself. I consider it a kind gesture or sorts. I imagine you saying "Hey, I like your work, please use this money to make more of it."



In conclusion, I don't agree with those other artists! You're free to have your own rules on your own artwork. You're free to use your work if any way you desire. I just wanted to get this out there that not all artists are of the same philosophy.

-Sissorelle

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