Sorry for the short notice, but you can write until TODAY  – and I hope YOU will!! At last the government WANTS to hear from actual artists instead of only big businesses.  Some businesses want to use our work without our permission (or payment) – this has been called the Orphan Works Bill.  I know I want to protect my colorful, vibrant paintings!!  Please read yesterday’s post for details.  My letter is below just as an example.  Thank you! ~ Diane

Summary of issue: Over 85 organizations opposed the last Orphan Works bills, representing over half a million creators. Illustrators, photographers, fine artists, songwriters, musicians, and countless licensing firms all believe this bill will harm their small businesses.

WRITE TODAY – details in yesterday’s post – my letter below!

My name is Diane Clancy from Greenfield, MA.  I create vibrant paintings that feature color and vision to inspire and uplift people.  I work both in traditional mediums and digital mediums.  I also do graphic design and web design.

I sell originals of my work.  But I also use my images (paintings) for prints and on merchandise. I have several online shops where people can purchase my work – both from me directly and through shops that do the printing themselves and send the merchandise and prints directly to my customers and collectors.

On some images I spend well over 100 hours to produce the original painting.  To make a profit in my art business, I need to be able to use and reuse such an image over and over again to make my art business profitable.  That is partly why I sell prints of these paintings and also sell these images on items such as mugs, tiles, journals, calendars and tote bags.  This is how I make my money from such a painting.

As a commercial artist, I have a business plan and much of it is based on reuse of my paintings – by ME!  If other businesses are able to use my images, saying that they are orphaned, I have lost much of my business and income.  My paintings, my images ARE my business.  I have spent much time and effort in creating them and marketing them.  I need to be the one who gets the benefit of my intellectual property rights.

I want the government to protect my copyrights of my paintings … and to not make it easier for others to call my images orphaned and then make money from these paintings.  I am an American micro-business, an entrepreneur – the backbone of the American economy.  I need the US government to be protecting and encouraging, small creative businesses …  I also think this is what is going to help turn around this economy.

Also, I am an artist living with a disability. Having this small art business is what allowed me to move off disability to be supporting myself. Please help me support myself.  I know of many artists with micro-businesses who are living with disabilities.  Creating and marketing our art is what allows many of us to minimize financial support from the government.  To me, clearly, it is evident that is good for the economy.

Thank you for asking artists for our input!  I am greatly appreciative that you want to hear from us,
~ Diane Clancy

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