i came home from work today, and found this in my email…..
“I’ve been thinking about a comment you made a few days ago about how all those photos are so special to you. Yet on no photo do I see that you added the artist credit. Image how special those pieces are to the people that actually did the work to create them. In any community where creative work is involved, that’s bad form. The lack of credit creates an illusion that you, and not the actual artist, are responsible for the work. Yes, you have a disclaimer, that’s fine. But that doesn’t excuse you from giving proper credit.”
as you can see it was brought to my attention today that i very well might be stepping on toes by putting art work in my posts……. as i have not been crediting the artists for the work i use on my blog… and i believe in so doing, a valid point was addressed.
i do not ever use work that is noted as copywrited or in any other way owned… i have a brief disclaimer on my site that says this:
DISCLAIMER: all artwork, and, or photography here in contained, i procured from google image searches. whereas, i have not knowingly used anything that is copywrited, or otherwise “owned”, please feel free to inform me if i have used your work without proper credit or permission.
as it is not now, nor has it ever been my intention to market my writing or my brand of thinking… it never occurred to me this was…in bad form…i thought that if the work was on google and not owned it was ok to use it….for non commercial purposes, and not altered in any way….i even have a creative commons notation on my site that says you may use my work, as long as you don’t use it to make money, alter it, or proclaim it your own….
i never in any way shape or form assume credit for the art work or photography on my site…. i enjoy the visual effects. sometimes i am so inspired by the picture,, that it causes me to feel the emotion behind what i am writing ever so much more,, and that is my sole purpose in using the pictures… much like the kinship many of us feel to music… when you hear a song, and it takes you right back where you were at the point in your life that it had meaning for you…. and if i have led any of you to think anything different, i am at a loss for words…..
so from here on out, where ever possible i will make a notation at the end of each post as to where i found the artwork, as well as the author, if known.
the email continued, and i quote once again in part,
” You hide behind a picture of a person that you claim isn’t you. Then who is it? What might that person think, because it probably is a real person, of you hiding behind her? It’s the same, or maybe worse, than a person who hides behind a photo of what they used to be and cannot accept who they are now. I wouldn’t want anyone to use my picture and imply that it is him or her.”
if i have misled any of you into believing that my avatar is me,, once again,, i fully apologize. i write very raw, and i feel more comfortable not publishing my face on my blog…period… that is my option isnt it?? i call myself paisley for the reasons i stated in the first post i ever made on this blog, you may read it here: not some 60’s hippy chick
in addition i did post that i wanted to use the picture in my blog and profile in this post beauty-paisley
and i did today find the original link i used to download the picture and emailed the owner of this blog, cheaptarts.blogspot.com to see if she owns the photo and in the event she does,,, whether or not she objects to me using it…… so i will let you know how that evolves…..
if i have indeed been doing anything underhanded, i did it out of ignorance…and for my ignorance,, i apologize… when i started writing this,,,, it never occurred to me that anyone would ever read it,,, let alone that there was so much politics involved…. but i am enjoying myself,, and for that reason alone,, i will abide by the rules…
the email continued:
“I like that you are not afraid to write about yourself. This is very difficult and often overlooked. The exception here is that you tend to be your only subject. Even when you are writing about someone else. It is in terms of you.”
whereas,, i agree that i am, and probably always will be, a very selfish,, self-centered,, bitch…. when it comes to my writing i write about that which i know… and the only thing i really know…. is me…for that i do not apologize….
todays art courtesy of circusposterus.com. the artist is kathie olivas…thank you
June 3rd, 2007 at 9:18 pm
Wow. Someone really laid into you today. What crawled up their ass? I understand fully about your avatar and don’t worry about the photo credit stuff. The web is full of free content – and those that don’t wish to have their stuff shared should visibly copyright it. That’s the beauty of the web – free info and thought sharing. And no, I don’t feel you’re hiding behind the images. Those of us who know your blog realize that you have NEVER done anything to suggest “underhandedness”.
Jeeze. Your critic should get a life and visit another blog. He (or she) is free to do so…beauty of the web and all.
Keep on doin’ what yer doin, baby!
June 4th, 2007 at 12:49 am
I have to agree with N.B. Goldstien on this one and that your critic should get a life! It is after all YOUR blog and YOU can write about whatever YOU feel like writing even if it is centred on YOU! Practically everybody I know uses free stuff obtained from the internet. In fact you don’t even need to dignify that email with a reply. Have a nice day
June 4th, 2007 at 5:34 am
Tell them to go after Google afterall they are providing the photos without indicating ownership. Some people feel that their opinion and viewpoint is the only one. Somehow I don’t feel we would see anything truly creative on their site nor any glimpse of the person behind it. Life is about self just ask any true artist. Knock em dead Paisley
June 4th, 2007 at 5:41 am
Oh my goodness…
Someone got out of the wrong side of the bed today…
What the hell!!
And I will echo N.B Goldstein’s comments at this point…
Why the hell shouldn’t you write about yourself, by the way…
You are entitled to write about whatever you like.
If that happens to be your feelings and fears, then so be it.
It is the right of every writer to self examine!
God knows I can be a neurotic narcissist at times.
It is a delicious pleasure that I make no excuses for.
Neither should you, darling.
I love your writing.
Most especially because it is about you.
So there!
xox
June 4th, 2007 at 5:49 am
I like you, use Google image search for all my photos or I use some that I’ve taken myself. This debate has come up before and here’s how I deal with it. I consider most of the photos on Google kind of in the public domain so I don’t feel like I’m stealing someone’s art or property if I use them. On the same hand if I see something that is either copy write images or clearly someone’s art, I tend to stay away from it or if I do use it I give credit to the source or author. Plus the cool thing about Google images is when you use a picture off that site, it doesn’t link back to the source which I’ve found out over the years upsets the person more then anything. The person that was banging on you needs to lighten the fuck up. We’re bloggers, it’s not like we’re writing the great American novel and plagiarizing shit.
June 4th, 2007 at 6:40 am
I agree with the previous emotions and opinions. But… still… things like that do disturb a bit, I know. You don’t steal the pictures, you even make the authors known to us readers. Many should thank you for that not critisize to my thinking!
Some people are so angry…
You’re awesome paisley, your page and writing are definitely unique, so don’t pay much attention on such emails.
Muuuaaahhh *-)
June 4th, 2007 at 8:07 am
dood…don’t even worry about this. If you have the artist’s name, give credit, if you don’t… oh well. We (your readers) know you are not trying to RIP PEOPLE OFF, or steal anything. You are using the pictures to enhance or drive home some of what you are posting about. As far as having any personal photos of yourself, DO WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY AND COMFORTABLE! I never once thought the art work you post here was yours. I have never felt deceived by you. You are one of the few HONEST / OPEN people on the internet today! You are an awesome writer and from what little I know about you, I can say that you are an awesomer person. Don’t change who you are or how you run YOUR BLOG.
June 4th, 2007 at 4:15 pm
I have a problem with the part that says
“I like that you are not afraid to write about yourself. This is very difficult and often overlooked. The exception here is that you tend to be your only subject. Even when you are writing about someone else. It is in terms of you.”
Is this NOT your blog??????? Who the hell cares if you are your only subject? it is YOUR blog.. I am often my only subject.. As it is MY Life I blog about and what I go through. If thats selfish.. Then I’m a very selfish person indeed! My blog is about ME and MY thoughts and MY life.. This is YOUR blog.. Your life.. your thoughts.. NO one makes the rules for YOUR blog.. ONLY YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!! This person had no right to critique you the way he did.. Did you ask him for his opinion on your writing? If not.. Thats just very bad form..
June 4th, 2007 at 5:12 pm
You know what I think!???. I THINK THAT PERSONE HAS TOO MUCH TIME ON THEIR HANDS. Oh he ( it sounds like a ‘he”) writes very eloquent. BULsh*t!. That is only one e-mail . You better believe that this guy e-mails people all the time and has made himself Internet Copywrite Cop. Wel F him. Don’t change a thing here, OK? The was ONE e-mail. he is gone and harassing someone else. Somethinh happened to this person that makes hime want excert his will on other.
Well, here this:
You are not welcome here!
I think you should have a KEEP OUT sign just for him.
There!
T.G
I am sooo bold sometimes.
June 4th, 2007 at 5:19 pm
Your images are only the pretty decorations but it is the images created by your words that make me crave them. Don’t ever stop doing what you are doing. My only bit of unsolicited advice is that you follow whatever the rules are (and I don’t pretend to know them). Your blog is definitely finding a following, as it should, and your words are what make it happen. You could have a blog with black words on a white background and I would still drink it up every day.
Have fun!
June 4th, 2007 at 5:48 pm
Hmmm last I knew…this was YOUR blog and what YOU write is up to YOU…the writer…I mean I could be wrong…but geeesh isnt that the point of writing in a blog?
And IF I were to not like what someone is writing I utilize the little x.
As for art….If there is a CC on the page or where someone displays images…as free stock…well, I do believe then they are free and do not require a notation. Unless the creator specifically states a link required or a notation must be made…or permission. As a person who has art online, I do have a CC…I dont mind if people use the art, but a mention is good. But you would know who the artist is…Many images out there do not have an artist listed…
I think you are fine and I enjoy what you write and how you decorate, adorn etc….Rock on!
June 4th, 2007 at 5:56 pm
Okay. I’m pissed. Apparently someone is envious of your talent, Paisley, and is grasping at whatever ridiculous claims they can to try to detract from it. Do not allow this sorry excuse for a “critic” to sway you in any way from sharing with us what you need/want to express – however the hell you feel like expressing it at any given time! (I know you won’t) It’s very telling to me that this individual hides behind an “email” of that nature, instead of posting a comment for all of us to see. That’s what speaks to a person’s character, if you ask me.
June 4th, 2007 at 6:12 pm
What attracted me to your site in the beginning was the honesty and sincerity in which you shared yourself. Wide open for the world to see. To say that you are doing something under handed is just plain wrong. You should ask them who shit in their corn flakes…IDIOTS!!
(Twisted Sister)
June 4th, 2007 at 6:59 pm
Great writing! I always wonder about emails like this. I have been fortunate to have only had a couple. They’re always so strange, considering a blog is a place to think in writing and that no one anywhere is forced to read our writing if they don’t wish.
I’m thinking the sweet bird of paradise must’ve crapped all over that person’s birthday cake.
Carry on!
June 11th, 2007 at 5:31 pm
Paisley-
Tell him or her to f___ off! How dare they comment thusly about one of the best writers I have had the pleasure to discover.
Perhaps telling the artists name is cool.
I want photos to use in my blog too. So where do I get them and do they cost money?