Are You Paranoid?

The fact that the world just doesn't care that much might be the reason for paranoia.
If more people cared, there would be a lot less to worry about.

Perhaps Joe, my point is the world does not care enough to spend the time plotting how to get you or in this case how to make the big bucks selling your art.

Paranoid?! Why are you asking...?

Reasonably paranoid. But not overly, but it would depend on the situation, but about visitors not too much unless given reason to think to think otherwise. And either too lazy, or realistic enough not to worry about it or pursue any action. I might to some degree if the principle bothered me enough, but likely as not if not much could be done.

“Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't after you.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch 22

~Richard
reevephotos.com

Yeah its hard to sell art until someone steals your art and suddenly its easy for them to sell it.

I never look back over my shoulder....those peeps are BEHIND me.

"The world does not care enough to spend the time plotting how to get you."

Not normally. However, there is the occasional outlier... "Even paranoids have real enemies."

If you have real enemies, people who are in fact out to get you, it's not a bad idea to notice their malicious intent *before* they do real damage. Cluelessness is not a great survival strategy if someone really is out to get you.

That said, if people are selling my art online, I would assume that's driven more by opportunism or greed than enmity.

(Quote source: Henry Kissinger, or Golda Meir, depending on which quote-source website you look at LOL)

I always wonder about people who use every avenue they can think of -- shady and otherwise -- to plaster their art into every corner of the internet, obsess over their number of visitors, followers and retweets in a massive effort to "get known" -- then panic when they see their email address in a forum post. "Take that off! Make this thread private!" LOL.


Dan Turner
Dan Turner's Seven Keys to Selling Art Online

No paranoia here Ronald, I think it's only the artistically frustrated that complain all the time about such things.

That said, if people are selling my art online, I would assume that's driven more by opportunism or greed than enmity.



I agree with Cheryl. Good to see you Cheryl, been wondering where you were.

I have one image that was a mistake. Someone saw it a week ago and forward it to his managers for use. I have not heard back yet about what will happen. That could take months or never happen. Them's the breaks. The whole thing is above board and honest, so it is not on topic here exactly.

Thing is artists do not know what image will sell necessarily. Produce and show enough some artists make a good living. I would never find fault with their efforts. Never mind calling it paranoid.

A few artists seem to be able to make a lot of money going after infringers. Not to open up that can of worms, but more power to them.

In my case with this singular image, it has nothing to do with paranoia. In this case it has to do with getting scene by the right person, which is next to unexpected.

You only miss 100% of the shots you do not take. Those are words to win by. Gretzsky would know.

Ron, people have different levels of job security. Some have different levels of worry about making a living. I do not want to fault that.


Dave

Seems to largely be a waste of time and effort most of the time. Make more art and keep going!

"I know people who think the world is out to get them, but the truth is the world just doesn't care that much!"

Totally agree!

"Reasonably paranoid."

Is that like being a little bit pregnant? We know there is no such thing.


Also agree with both Dan and Mario.

"Seems to largely be a waste of time and effort most of the time. Make more art and keep going!"

Time spent chasing down every violation that is probably a 1000 or 10,000 - 1 shot that is going to really cost you any real hard money lost is time wasted.

Create more art and promote it with that same time and in the long run, you will be money ahead.

"Yeah its hard to sell art until someone steals your art and suddenly its easy for them to sell it."

This one is worth mentioning in detail.

There was discussion one time a year or longer back, maybe two years that hit on this exact thing.

A guy was talking about chasing down some Chinese company that had several of his images on their phone cover site. Some of you may remember it.

The guy went on and on about how he had to chase this down to find out who the people were and how to stop them and had still not gotten it done.

Finally, someone asked him if these were his best selling image and it that was the reason he was woking so hard at trying to reach a company that was basically untouchable because they were China.

He as much as admitted that he had never sold any of them himself but surmised that the Chinese company was doing well with them. When asked how he knew that his answer was because others they would not leave them up there if they were not selling. But yet he had them on his own site for well over a year.

He could not see the flaw in his logic.

That guy is no longer a member incidentally.

I call that kind of logic, tripping over dollars to pick up pennies.

The act of creation is a private matter. Bombarding the internet afterwards is very public.....but like getting lost in a crowd.

Deciding whether the effort is worthwhile is an existential battle not paranoia. JMO

I do not sit in my stuff. (child friendly language)

Dave

Each artist makes the decision if something like that is worthwhile, that is true. I just think that most of the time it is wasting valuable time and possibly money. As I grow older time spent seems more important to me, but it is your choice.

La de da, I'll worry about it tomorrow.
I figure if someone stole one of my pieces and it sold, at least one of us would be making money on my art.

If you are filling your time with creating art, you won't have time to sit idle and dwell on piddly things. If your art causes paranoia, you don't belong in the art world. Simple.

"I want to be a prize fighter but I am afraid to get hurt."

"I call that kind of logic, tripping over dollars to pick up pennies." -Floyd

"If you are filling your time with creating art, you won't have time to sit idle and dwell on piddly things."-Danal

My thoughts exactly and I would add to the above, if you make original art they can steal a copy, I'd like to see them come and steal my original and even if they do, I'd like to see them steal them as fast as I can make them! -Mario Lol.

This reminds me the customer I have to see this morning, his name is Mr. PoupArt, I think it's pronounced (Poop Art), no kidding, I hope he never sees this.

Paranoid, no, protective perhaps. Nothing in life came easy for me including my art so I hold it very dearly. My art journey was not even possible until about 15 years ago because of struggling to raise my children alone so I hold it in very high esteem and to let someone just 'usurp' what I struggled with is unacceptable. So if that makes me paranoid, pass the Prozac! Lol

Phyllis, are you losing sales and money due to this ? If so same question but is it st a rate that makes it worth dealing with?

Not at all Ronald. I only run google image searches when I am tired before bedtime in which case I would never be painting anyhow. I look at it as having a camera in a supermarket. There has to be some form of theft prevention just do not go overboard with it. I probably do this a few times per month. No big deal but if I find my work being 'used' in a wrong way, I will spend extra time taking care of the matter without a doubt.

I usually spend six days out of the week and probably 8-10 hours a day painting. The other day, cleaning and going to the grocery so no, it does not effect my time or money. As I said above, I hold my art very dearly and think of it as a long lost loved one that finally returned...

Thinking that the reason your art isn't selling is because someone is stealing it and selling it themselves, pretty much defines paranoia. The other half of that is that, if I were an art thief, I would be stealing images that do sell, not those that don't.

The solution is simple

Create Art no one wants to steal

Lol Roger!

I have to agree with Phyllis.
There is a world of difference between not caring, not checking or responding in kind and being paranoid.
If I smile at someone who has just insulted me, am I passive aggressive?
If I take a few hours off during the day to catch up on some sleep, am I depressed?
If I share good news with a friend too enthusiastically, am I a narcissist?

Nah....

These behaviors/issues/problems are all extreme and unhealthy.
I'd like to think I'm responsible when I do an occasional check on who is using my image without permission and follow up if I deem it worth my while.

Another issue totally overlooked is the assumption that someone who steals your work plans on making a million off that one image.
Don't be naive...they are stealing from everyone and a little here and a little there sure does add up.
If that ilk wasn't successful in what they do, surely they'd be on to another activity that was more profitable.

I always groan when I hear someone respond to an obvious scam by saying "who would be so stupid to fall for that?"
Well, guess what? Plenty do...they don't need you to fall for it, cuz tons of other people are. They continue sending out those e mails, cuz they work.

Hi David B:
Glad to know someone noticed I was AWOL. I had a big commission, multiple art shows, I took on some extra responsibilities with one of my art guilds, and had to deal with some nuisance health issues (no big deal)... so FAA had to take second chair for a while. That, and when I tried to log in once or twice, I couldn't get into my account -- probably something at the FAA end, maybe it was whatever is going on with Chrome. Whatever-it-was I didn't have the bandwidth to try to figure it out.

You'll all probably hear less from me for a while, I'm up to my ears busy. Don't everyone cheer at once... LOL
--Cheryl

:::cheering for Cheryl::::
Don'tcha just hate it when real life gets in the way of a quality forum experience?

Cheryl,

Thanks for the update.

Dave

Not Paranoid , but pass the Prozac anyhow please........

Thank you Marlene! :)

Janine, lol, pass it here pleeeaaaase!

"Thinking that the reason your art isn't selling is because someone is stealing it and selling it themselves, pretty much defines paranoia. The other half of that is that, if I were an art thief, I would be stealing images that do sell, not those that don't."

Doug's message is so brilliantly stated that it deserves repeating.


Dan Turner
Dan Turner's Seven Keys to Selling Art Online

Marlene: (-:

Cheryl, I am so glad that you are doing well with your art! It is nice to hear the positive! :) I too have been busy busy this week and probably should not even be in here or even on the computer! I had a VERY nice Uptown New Orleans gallery owner contact me last week who noticed my Oyster Compositions and loves them. She wants to meet either Friday or Monday. I am painting a large 36x48 Oyster shell painting to hopefully blow her away. This is one of those rare opportunities that I have been hoping for. The intricacy of the composition calls for frequent breaks or else scream! Lol Fingers crossed that I finish a painting that would normally take two weeks by tomorrow night!

OMG, you're all talking about me behind my back aren't you? AREN'T YOU??? I KNEW it!!

Nope... not the least bit paranoid. At least not as far as anything to do with art, anyway. Otherwise I find myself much more paranoid than I've been for decades, but I'm pretty convinced my new-found paranoia is completely justified.

___________
Susan Maxwell Schmidt
So-so Board Moderator and
Artist Extraordinaire
Fortunately mass quantities of adult beverages are an awesome, though temporary, cure for that. May I interest ya'll in a mug of vodka?

I hear Roger speaking to "me".

Back in 1991 I was packed and ready to go from California back to Kansas to do my grad show. This included all my paintings for the exhibit. The night before leaving someone smashed my car window and broke into my car. They tore the radio out but did not touch or harm a single painting. I do create paintings no one would want to steal!

Ron,

My mother very wisely told me from an young age when not to comment.

LMAO

Dave

Thanks to everyone and remember we are watching you!