Fellow Artist Paul Richmond Takes on eBay & Bootleggers

Thanks Paul for speaking out! I've been honored to be a featured subject of one of Paul Richmond's Cheesecake Boy paintings, and as an artist myself I've also been a victim of eBay and their role as a front for bootlegged artwork. It's frustrating dealing with a big corporation like eBay that has little regard for integrity or intellectual property when it might conflict with their profiteering.

While I used to sell my own work on eBay, I quit years ago due to ever increasing fees from eBay. They get you for listing an item, then selling an item, and then through PayPal which they also own, charge you another fee for collecting the payment. Ridiculous. But I digress. If you ever see my work offered on eBay it's more likely than not a cheap knock off (even though they often use an image of the original artists actual work in the auction listing). Another tip off is that 98% of the time the country of origin is China.

Whenever I encounter bootlegs of my work I immediately get eBay to shut it down.  Though it frustrates me when I see other artist work being ripped off because by eBay's rules ONLY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER OF THE WORK CAN FILE A CLAIM OF INFRINGEMENT. Which makes no sense to me, that's like saying only the victim of a crime can report it.

New Release: Pillow Fight

It can start with a little tease, or perhaps a harmless struggle over stealing the covers, perhaps it's a frisky battle over who's on top and who's on the bottom. Whatever got it started there are few things that combine physical aggression and laughter like a good ole pillow fight. And those are the two best things for relieving any hints of tension or frustration. The combatants end up surrendering to exhaustion amidst a flurry of downy feathers.

  

Pillow Fight is the latest addition to my Seasons of Love show. The original is available for purchase through the Lyman-Eyer Gallery now, but cannot be delivered until after my show ends on August 31st.

Limited edition Gallery and Studio prints are available through my online studio at the Special First Day Price through Midnight ET tomorrow.

Print Donated to Auction/Oscar Party Fund Raiser.

February 27^th 2011 is the Oscar Party held by the Seventh Annual Pride of the Greater Lehigh Valley. I've donated a limited edition print of "Once In A Lullaby" to their super fantastic silent auction table. Proceeds to benefit Pride of the Greater Lehigh Valley's programs, Rainbow Scholarship and Community Giving. If you're in the Allentown area and would like more information visit http://prideglv.org/index.php/component/content/article/42/95

Print Donated To Art Auction Fund Raiser

On March 5^th 2011 the Los Angeles Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence will host Mr. Sister Leather. The event includes raffle prizes and an art auction, to which I've donated a limited edition print. of "Rough Riders".  Proceeds will benefit Lifeworks youth mentoring program of the LA Gay and Lesbian Center (www.lifeworksla.org) For more information on the Sisters visit their website www.lasisters.org.

My Work & Playlist Top 10 - February 18, 2011

THIS WEEK	LAST WEEK	WEEKS	TITLE / ARTIST
1	5	9	“Ace of Hz (Tiésto Remix Radio Edit)” (1 Week at #1)      Ladytron
2	1	8	“Heavy Cross” (1 Week at #1)      Gossip
3	4	9	“We R Who We R”      Kesha
4	3	9	“Not Now” (1 Week at #1)      Little Boots
5	2	8	“Rolling In The Deep”      Adele
6	10	4	“Be Together (Str8jackets Medicated Rub)”      John Jones
7	9	13	“Love You More (Future Freakz Mix)” (2 Weeks at #1)      JLS
8	6	8	“Take Me Over”      Cut Copy
9	14	2	“Dynamite”      Taio Cruz
10	7	10	“Love Kills” (1 Week at #1)      Robyn

on the drawing board: at play

It really does lift my mood when working on a fun themed piece. It seems too often people think art has to be moody (in a somber sort of way) to be legit or held in any sort of high regard.  The darker emotions are certainly valid, but I think wonder, hope, glee, euphoria etc. are equally important to the human experience.  For me it's my upper, my light that helps get me through life.

on the drawing board: lighten up

With my last piece being rather dark, it's time for me to lighten up.   And I mean in several ways, much lighter colors, a much lighter subject and even metaphorically this piece will be 'light as a feather'.  That's a hint.

My Work & Playlist Top 10: February 11, 2011

THIS WEEK	LAST WEEK	WEEKS	TITLE / ARTIST
1	4	7	“Heavy Cross” (1 Week at #1)      Gossip
2	2	7	“Rolling In The Deep”      Adele
3	1	8	“Not Now” (1 Week at #1)      Little Boots
4	5	8	“We R Who We R”      Kesha
5	7	8	“Ace of Hz (Tiésto Radio Remix)”      Ladytron
6	10	7	“Take Me Over”      Cut Copy
7	3	9	“Love Kills” (1 Week at #1)      Robyn
8	6	11	“Who’s That Chick” (2 Weeks at #1)      David Guetta featuring Rihanna
9	8	12	“Love You More (Future Freakz Mix)” (2 Weeks at #1)      JLS
10	16	3	“Be Together (Str8jackets Medicated Rub)”      John Jones

New Release: The Bridge

 

Throughout our lives, when faced with turbulent waters, most of us will follow the rocky shore until we find that bridge that gets us to a better place on the other side. So it's a sad and strange irony that in moments of hopelessness there are some who don't seek a metaphorical bridge to get them over the rough seas, but rather a physical one to leap from, as a means of giving up.

The Bridge is my latest work and will be a part of my upcoming show Seasons of Love in Provincetown, MA at the Lyman-Eyer Gallery. While the original is available for purchase, it cannot be delivered until after my show ends August 31st.

Limited edition Gallery and Studio prints are available through my online studio at the Special First Day Price through Midnight ET tomorrow.