So as of late, I've been seeing a lot of my friends on Facebook posting motivational posters.
Nothing serious, you think; it looks good/cute/etc. and there's even a funny motivational quote and you think "Awe! that's so cute, I'm going to share it!". But some of the picture I've been seeing include the art of several artists from an art website I frequent called devianArt. I have come across them on many occasions, having gained much deserved praise; but when I see the art also being used on a motivational poster on Facebook and then shared by many others, I find it also cute and amusing.
But in the back of my mind I'm thinking, "Does the artist know that their art is being used and passed around without their permission?".
As an artist myself I enjoy when people like my art, however, in terms of being used and passed along would greatly disturb me. Sure, you send a link to the artist and tell them "Oh, I shared it BUT I want to know if it's okay with you if I can?", but I sincerely doubt a lot of the artists know that their art has been stolen and passed around the internet in a Motivational Poster meme.
If the artist does have knowledge of what is being done and doesn't mind, then maybe I'm rambling, but the artists I've come across have put up journals saying people do not and CANNOT use their art, for whatever the reason.
You can tell them all you want how you gave them credit and told people to link back to the artist's deviantArt page, but it's still theft.
As an artist, I wouldn't want people using my art without my permission REGARDLESS. And neither do they. DeviantArt is a place for artists to share their work and get constructive criticism, and if people keep stealing their art, it makes them not want to post anymore which a lot of their watchers would hate.
Just saying: respect an artists' wishes.
Love&Rockets,
Lala
