Workshops' Copyright Issues

[Bringer]

Hi,

I went to see the work of the artist Stan Sperlak, mentioned by Tressa on the thread about the anti-reflective glass, and his works are really good.
They have an awsome light work.
Anyway, there's something that he says in the section of pastel workshops.

Quote :

«Copyright Issues/Please Read
Many artists/teachers are now emphasizing proper respect to copyright issues and intellectual property rights. An original piece of art is exactly that: wholly original from concept/design/execution and presentation. Artists in workshops need to respect that paintings accomplished in workshops are part of a teachers overall design. These works should not be shown without some sort of credit given to the teacher. (regardless of the attendees experience or time the teacher discussed any particular work).They should NEVER be entered into competitions or galleries or copied and sold as prints. Of course you should frame and keep or give works that you are happy with. Artists should create their own versions for sale from those studies, in new sizes and formats, or work from photos taken at the class on their own time. We should always work from our own photographs when in the studio, or better yet, a life study of the same subject we are developing into a painting. It is very gratifying to see the growth and influence that may come from attending a workshop, and I encourage students to use techniques and advice I may give to further expand their working experiences and fulfill their artistic goals»

End of quote

Regards,

José

[Deborah Secor]

Well put! I may have to ask him if I can borrow that for my classes and workshops.

It never ceases to amaze me that my students have so much trouble understanding what is orignal and what isn't. I think they just end up liking a painting and desperately want to show/sell it, disregarding where it came from, but the photo is mine--they did the painting in my classroom--they had me suggest things or possibly even add a touch or two to improve it--yet in the end it's 'their' painting.......

Thanks for the info Jose'!

Deborah

[PeggyB]

Well put! I may have to ask him if I can borrow that for my classes and workshops.

It never ceases to amaze me that my students have so much trouble understanding what is orignal and what isn't. I think they just end up liking a painting and desperately want to show/sell it, disregarding where it came from, but the photo is mine--they did the painting in my classroom--they had me suggest things or possibly even add a touch or two to improve it--yet in the end it's 'their' painting.......

Thanks for the info Jose'!

Deborah

I can't add anything to this well written piece or Deborah's comments, and I too thank you for sharing José.

Peggy

[Tressa]

Great Jose!! Stan has a wonderful website filled with a lot of info!!
And he is right!!

Deborah, Stan is a really great guy, and you should contact him about using this quote!! He would probably LOVE to get the word out, and be understood!!

I do believe that in a workshop situation where you are plein air, and you pick your subject, and paint, and the instructor critiques at the end of the day should be considered your work.
Tres

[Tressa]

Great Jose!! Stan has a wonderful website filled with a lot of info!!
And he is right!!

Deborah, Stan is a really great guy, and you should contact him about using this quote!! He would probably LOVE to get the word out, and be understood!!

I do believe that in a workshop situation where you are plein air, and you pick your subject, and paint, and the instructor critiques at the end of the day would be considered your work.
Tres

[*Marina*]

I feel I have to give a counter reaction. I take lessons regularly but I do regard the work I am doing as mine. I choose the subject or photo. My teacher never touches my work. He gives advice but that is it. He enjoys it when he has been able to guide his students to a good end result. The students are pleased when their work turns out well. It gives him satisfaction and joy. It is a win win situation. He regularly advises his students to try and sell their work.
One should not be giving lessons (workshops) and earn money with it if one has a problem with the fact that the students want to try and sell their work. Entering in a competition is different matter.
I usually don't react to opinions like this but I feel very strongly about it. If you don't want the artwork made by students to be sold, then don't give workshops.

[Bringer]

Hi Marina,

I guess that what he means more preciselly is when the subject is given by the teacher.
If the set up or photo is yours, then of course that the copyright is yours.
I hope to have interpreted both views correctly.

Regards,

José

[*Marina*]

Jose, what I mean is that if you want to earn money by giving workshops, you have to accept the fact that the students (who are paying the fees) should be free to do what they like with their paintings. If you don't like that then find another source of income.
I am sorry I won't be able to react any further as we are going on holiday tomorrow morning.

[Deborah Secor]

I feel I have to give a counter reaction. I take lessons regularly but I do regard the work I am doing as mine. I choose the subject or photo. My teacher never touches my work. He gives advice but that is it. He enjoys it when he has been able to guide his students to a good end result. The students are pleased when their work turns out well. It gives him satisfaction and joy. It is a win win situation. He regularly advises his students to try and sell their work.
One should not be giving lessons (workshops) and earn money with it if one has a problem with the fact that the students want to try and sell their work. Entering in a competition is different matter.
I usually don't react to opinions like this but I feel very strongly about it. If you don't want the artwork made by students to be sold, then don't give workshops.

I couldn't agree with you more! My success as a teacher is in seeing my students succeed, including showing and selling their work. In fact, I hold shows for my advanced group to help give them more exposure.

What you describe is very accurate. If you work from your own resources, do your own painting with no touches from the instructor, and only receive instruction and critiques from your him, this work is clearly your own to show and sell. I find this is true of my advanced group, too. However, I have students who are in my beginning/intermediate group, or who do workshops with me, who don't meet that criteria. In fact, over the 17 years I've been teaching I've occasionally had students have problems with not understanding.

One entered the professional category at the state fair fine art show--and took a ribbon, I might add [which really pleased me--it was a beautiful painting]--without my knowing that she had used a classroom painting. I was later told that other students, who recognized the painting as being of a photo they had worked from in class, brought it up to the show organizers. I'd like to have saved her the embarassment of having to give back a ribbon--because I really don't think she understood that she was breaking the rules of the show... That's why having a nice statement like the one above might help to clairfy things for people.

Please understand that I want my students to work independently of me, to develop 'muscle', and paint strong, individual paintings that they can show and sell! My advanced group understands and does as you do. [BTW, I have a lot of students who have gone on to become pros...the best compliment I as a teacher can get!!!]

Hope that clarifies some of my thoughts. I don't think we disagree...

Deborah

[MarshaSavage]

Deborah,
I have taught for many years -- classes and workshops -- and feel exactly as you do. In the main scheme of things, most students work from their own resources and I don't touch their paintings, only offer advice and critique as said above. Those paintings are their own. I do tell them I would not enter that painting into competition, but all else is fair game -- selling, creating prints, etc.

When I take a workshop, I don't let teachers paint on my painting -- because I want it to be my own -- warts and all. But . . . again, I would not enter it into competition.

So . . . why don't you contact Stan and ask permission and then do a little more to the quote to reflect this information you are getting here. I think all of us would love a little "quote" that we can give to students to help them understand the finer points of what is good for competition, what is good for selling, or what is good just for framing for our own enjoyment -- or our family's.