You are absolutely right to do whatever you can, legally and within reason, to protect your intellectual property (your art).
But what I can’t seem to reconcile is when artists aren’t taking precautionary steps to claim ownership in the first place.
I’m talking about giving yourself credit whenever and wherever you show your art—with your name and a complete credit line—even on Instagram.
Checklist for Crediting Your Art Read
One of the first steps an artist makes when turning professional is to decide on an art business name, and many new artists make this more complicated than it should be.
Allow me to bottom line this entire article: If you are a fine artist, your first choice is to always use your given name for marketing your original art.
And yet you might resist this. Read and listen to find out why I’m right.
How to name your art business (56) Read
The arguments against using your given name are 1) that it’s difficult to spell or pronounce or 2) that it’s too common. Do you see how these two problems are exact opposites: one is too hard and the other too easy.
Would You Benefit From Using a Different Artist Name? Read
Just because you’ve started selling your art doesn’t mean you have a legitimate business. You have to get some things in order, including registering with your department of state. Here’s a list for starting out.
Legal Resources for Starting an Art Business in the U.S. Read
Elsewhere on this blog, I encourage you to use your real name—in whatever form you choose—for your art business. This week I want to give hope to those of you already creating art under a different name or business name. There are two primary reasons for using a name besides your own (aka “Doing Business
R Use Another Name for Your Art Business Read
Art history is a history if individual artists, not of company names. Since my master’s degree is in art history, I naturally want you to use your name when promoting your art. Using a company name puts you in league with all of the companies out there who are manufacturing and promoting unremarkable products. You’re
R Use Your Name for Your Art Business Read
