Today I went to a blog to say thank you for visiting and leaving me a comment. This is what I saw, the picture below. There was absolutely no doubt in my mind, this was my dragonfly. I know my own work. I knew this was my dragonfly even though it has glittery bits sprinkled over it and with this background. I think it has probably been cut out, then stuck onto the background. 
So I left a comment. I said did she think I would not recognise my own work. Then I said how I shared my work and was happy it inspired others but I trusted other people not to steal it.
So I left a comment. I said did she think I would not recognise my own work. Then I said how I shared my work and was happy it inspired others but I trusted other people not to steal it.
I told her it made me sad to have to write this.
Yes I do post my work here for the whole world to see.
I will continue to post my work here.
It is a beautiful dragonfly BUT it isn't so beautiful when it is just taken.
So what more is there to say, she knows she did it, passed it off as her own.
At least she has me in her side bar, under inspirational blogs !
There I got that off my chest, thanks for listening.
18 comments:
Oh Milly - that is really too, too bad. Imitation is a great form of flattery, but to take work and re-work it and not ask permission/give credit is just wrong. I hope that this is resolved.
Your work is distinctive, and I think many of us would have said 'that's Milly's work'.
It is so amazing that you happened on your art like this! I hope this person communicates with you. It is always right to ask permission. So sorry you had to experience this.
So sorry this has happened! Some people don't realize there are copyright issues, especially with the internet, they think everything is free for the taking. Hopefully this person will communicate with you. At the very least you have educated them and hopefully they won't do this again.
I'm so sorry, it's horrible when this sort of thing happens! I've come to realise that many people don't even realise they're doing something wrong. It's like Ann says, it's in the web, so it must be free to use. Oh well...
Have you thought about posting your pictures in a resized format? They would show practically the same, only when you clicked on them you would get a smaller, less detailed image. Some artists also use a watermark, to discourage stealing.
Better to have have asked your permission and perhaps explained that the image was just what she needed to complete the artwork - and then accompanied the image with a credit to you, Milly.
I know that this can happen. I also know many people could have downloaded my work, but to actually put it in her painting and pass it off as her own acrylic painting.
I was sad that someone had done that. Yet I do know it happens, I have seen my work on other blogs but people had always credited it or posted a link.
Yes, if she had just asked.
As they say, That's Life.
And I've let it go, I am over it.
I had my little rant.
I will probably delete this post.
Thanks everyone for your thoughts on this.
milly
Do not delete your post--you have said nothing mean spirited, despite having found out that someone was using work without your permission. I have not chosen to display my images small or with a watermark, & always wonder uneasily (especially with photos; paintings at least have an original, undisputed source) if this sort of unauthorised usage is taking place. Perhaps she will give you proper credit, especially since you are on her blog list.
Milly, I agree that you should keep this post ... please do not delete it.
I have over the past year read of others whose content has been "adopted" and truly wonder why someone would do it. Strange.
Your style is unique, and anyone would recognize it anywhere. Rejoice in having that unique visual voice. (Is that a strange mix?)
Keep up those walks and your sensitive observation of natural beauty. You are one of its best translators.
xo
Our lives are so much richer because you post these lovely drawings; it is so important to be honorable in return. Clearly, the person admires your work greatly--I do hope she responds, and appropriately. I'm glad you wrote about this and called it to the person's attention as well.
(I must look for feathers tomorrow at Buttercup, if I go. Funny, but, with such a focus on finding birds, I never thought to look for feathers!)
What a shame this has happened Milly. I think it's so important to ask before featuring someone's work on your blog, never mind going ahead and actually using it without permission and displaying it as their own.
It must have been a real shock to see it there!
Please do keep sharing your wonderful pictures with us, and perhaps you could look into something which would prevent copying.
Hope you are feeling better now you have got that off your chest. Sometimes you have to put your foot down with a firm hand! Also, as people like to use your work in their projects maybe you could contact a scrapbooking company and get them to license your images or offer some printed decoupage sheets yourself?
I am sure your new room and sunshine will do much to lift your spirits. I am guessing that your book is getting full up? What a treasure it will be when it is finished. Maybe you could make some facsimile copies?
I'm sorry to read this, that must feel awful... If at least she would have said what she did, openly, a link to your blog... I'm sorry, I hope she realizes by now what she did and apologizes...
I truly understand how you feel. To be inspired by someone like you doesn't mean one can take your work and add it to one's own without permission at best or a notation of where it came from at worst.
That must have been very upsetting to see and placed so out of context as well.
I hope it doesn't leave too unpleasant a taste...
You have a wonderful blog and I hope you do continue to enjoy posting as we enjoy reading...
Every artist's personal work should be respected, epecially because it is afterall personal...
Best wishes and I hope you manage to resolve it all,
Carrie...
Thank you everyone for your comments on this post.
I hope the person concerned reads my comment and how I felt about it.
A New post to see, my favourite flower.
Milly
Thank you for your sweet comment~ I'm sorry.
It always is like a punch in the stomach when I see this happen with my designs~ sending you a hug across the miles... and APPRECIATION that you shared~
Most of all... thankful that you are going to keep on sharing with those of us to adore your work! Treasure you wonderful details... smile when we see it...
I hope you keep this post. It is important for people to read heart-to-hearts about how important good character is.
You're a gem!
LOVE your new flower...
Hugs!
Michelle
So sorry that this has happened to you. It is almost like a betrayal when people do this. It is unexpected although I suppose we should expect it. Someone did something very similar with two of my pen and ink drawings. I could recognise my work but she had altered it just enough to pass it off as her work. Made me fume I can tell you but there was nothing I could do. Please carry on producing your outstanding work. You have the talent, she doesn't.
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