Copycat Suing Original Artist

... yes, that's right, and guess what for?  For the rights to mass produce and sell the items he copies, basically.  Mr. Rick Wittrig, owner of FirePitArt.com has been selling pretty much exact copies of the beautiful firepit sculptures created by the wonderful, talented, and hardworking artist, John T. Unger.

What if this was you?
John, who owns the copyrights to his firepit sculptures (which he's made since 2005) is being sued by Mr. Wittrig to have those very copyrights overturned!  This is not a case which is likely to hold up in court, and I'm sure Mr. Wittrig is well aware of that fact.  However, it seems clear that he intends to 'outspend' John, since he is in a position to do so.  John's already spent over $50,000 of his own money in court cases fighting Wittrig, and if he cannot come up with the enormous funds necessary to defend his copyrights, a default decision means Wittrig wins.  That simple, and infuriating.  This cannot happen.  The Law needs to protect artists better than that.  There but for the grace of God go any one of us small-time artists who come up with an idea some big business man decides to seize as his own money-making scheme, and while I do not know this artist, I intend to help.

I hope some of you do as well.  Donate.  I just did, it was easy and safe.  Give a dollar.  Give five.  If you feel more strongly, give $75, and for that price take a sculpture of your choosing from this first set of 100 sculptures made from the firepit cutout scraps.  John lets you reserve the exact one by simply saying so in a comment to it's Flickr pic in the set.  (Each 100-piece set will be made in a different color of steel.  This one is colorless, or natural.  Red, orange, yellow, white, and black are also available.)

Put one in your studio or work area as a reminder of how we need to support each other, and that in doing so we make the ability to make a livelihood at being an artist a more attainable goal, not an idea easily desecrated by some unethical thieving businessman with fat pockets.  I've had my work stolen and sold, and not just once.  Many of us know how this feels, and it's not nice.  United States law needs to be more supportive and strong in this regard, and our assistance in helping to establish precedence in these cases might be the step in the right direction towards that end!

As The World Flickrs: Snailbooty!!

There is no other doll photographer out there which can send my nerve endings into a delighted tizzy like a person who goes by the moniker 'snailbooty' on Flickr. Scenes from elaborate to simple are the settings for Snailbooty's fantabulous collection of bizarre doll-creatures. It's quite clear to me that much time is taken to set up scenes and lighting, and hours upon hours of shooting takes place. My favorites are the black and white 'film noir-esque' ones, which are at once jolting and comical (in fact, you'll find a lot of humor as you browse through the pages of Snailbooty's Flickr stream!) And the talent doesn't just end with the camera, no, Snailbooty is an artist as well. I invite you all to check out this wonderful body of work.

[**OFF-TOPIC NOTE ..... I am still without access to most of my files from the old pc. Two of my seven external hard drives died on the same day, and my images now only remain on the pc's internal drives (I had 3). It is seeming like an eternity for which I wait while external enclosures for those 3 drives arrive in the mail. Until then, I am unable to do much of my work, and going absolutely bonkers in the process!!]

Donald Sultan

I have only recently discovered his work. It was by accident, while killing time recently in a bookstore, a big coffee table book's bright cover caught my eye. When I opened it, immediately my lips parted, and with each turn of the page, I am sure you could have fed me, oh I don't know, say donut holes (if you're so inclined) through the gaping hole I left open. My jaw agape, my eyes feasted. The charcoal and tar....tar? He uses tar? And spackle! Rich, rich blacks, full of deep sooty lushness. Creamy whites. The lemons. The black eggs. Vinyl floor tiles, rather than traditional canvas. Simple shapes, organically rendered. I sink in this beauty and disappear into an inspiration-vortex. The book goes on my wishlist.

Let’s See, Etsy!

(She Ain't No Junkyard Gal)


Junker Jane is the 'handle' used by a wonderfully talented lady named Catherine who makes some beautiful, whimsical, and definitely unusual dolls. To some the term creepy might be more fitting, but you will never hear me characterize them in such a way, I think they are adorable times a hundred. I discovered her shop when she was featured on the front page of Etsy, where I also sell, and I sit here now and announce my endorsement of these soft little wonders made with an eclectic variety of fabrics, patchworked together.

Here are two I own which I've named Winky and Bunny-Cat. Every day when I come home from work I am met by their innocent faces. They make any black clouds disappear, and have absolutely won my heart!

Hows About a Little Smooch?

, originally uploaded by mia.in.the.sky.

I really love the work of this artist I discovered not too long ago on Flickr. Her name is Maya Bloch and I find her style speaks to me in my language. She calls herself mia.in.the.sky there on Flickr- - check her out!

As The World Flickrs

The Inescapable Scatter, originally uploaded by panic-embryo.

One of my very talented Flickr contacts uploaded this incredible image. It feels like the '40's to me. This needs to be hung on a wall to be sure!

Let’s See, Etsy!

Theme: Clean and Simple

(Etsy is a site where people who make things can sell them. It’s an online shopping mall. Hundreds of shops offer wares unlike any you might see offline, so from time to time I will feature some of the items which have caught my attention. Prices are very reasonable, and I encourage any who are interested to consider shopping at Etsy the next time you have a gift to buy.)

Back in May I made a trade with another Etsy seller who makes wonderful soaps. Her name is Amanda, and her shop name is Long Winter Farm. Trades between sellers are a great way to share what you make with someone while benefiting from their art or craft. My package arrived from Long Winter Farm revealing a collection of the most delicious smelling cakes with names like "Porridge", "Spiced Rice", and "Bloody Lumberjack", each in their own individually labeled muslin drawstring bags. They are the perfect gift or stocking stuffer for that person who has it all. (Great tip: I keep mine in my lingerie drawer and it makes everything smell so nice.) At $4.50 per bar, how can you say no? I doubt you’d ever consider store-bought soap again after giving these wonders a whirl!

As The World Flickrs

white hearts on a string 6/27/08, originally uploaded by gary isaacs' photos.

My 'Flickr friend' Gary is a creative master of word and image. Not one thing I've seen him do fails to inspire and awe me. Please take the time to look at his work.

In Awe and In-spired

So I have a small shop where I sell a small portion of my art and photography, and there’s so many other wonderful artists there who do the same. The temptation to spend as much or more than what you earn since we who sell there are surrounded by a plethora of wonders is great, but I have discovered that one way to have your cake and eat it too is to make a trade. Once established that a trade would be agreeable to both parties, items of similar values are swapped.

There is an amazingly creative artist on Etsy who goes by the name of Sushipot. Her name is Suzanna Scott, and I am just so moved by what arrived in the mail from her the other day that I simply must share. I traded my print called Porridge, for one of the items from her Petit Four Series, a camel figure on a block with the letter “C” on it and antique dictionary snippets. It arrived so beautifully packaged, every detail attended to from the round antique ephemera sticker on the envelope which held a thank you note, a vintage game card and two of her wonderful magnets, to the dainty kraft jewelry box tied up with simple black string. Even the way she ‘signs’ her work is beautiful!

And the whole thing was shipped in a nice, roomy box filled with plenty of white tissue. I swear, I feel like I’ve robbed a bank.

As The World Flickrs

Episode 2: Brett Walker's Freak Show
(Flickr is an international photo-sharing site which is directly responsible for inspiring me to be better as a photographer, and to see things with new eyes. The source of impressive talent is vast and continues to show me how much more there is to learn. Each week I will be featuring one or more of my ‘faves’ or a specific artist.)

Entering Brett Walker’s Flickr stream is like being let into an exclusive fine art exhibit on another planet without having to pay the fare. You’ll feel honored. You’ll feel stunned, (often freaked out) in a very good way. You’ll never look at faces or photography the same way again. And you’ll want to keep coming back. [This last is easily accomplished by the sidebar link under my banner.]

Let’s See, Etsy!

Theme: What’s New, Pussycat?

(Etsy is a site where people who make things can sell them. It’s an online shopping mall. Hundreds of shops offer wares unlike any you might see offline. Each week I will feature some of the items which have caught my attention. Prices are very reasonable, and I encourage any who are interested to consider shopping at Etsy the next time you have a gift to buy.)

Today I am featuring some kitty cat items from my list of favorites for sale on Etsy. I’ve never considered myself a cat person most of my life, (and am, in fact, deathly allergic to them) but I am lately so fascinated by these creatures. I wish I could have one of my own. Perhaps that is why I’m drawn to these.

[from top to bottom: 1. Kitten with Scissors by Suspect Shoppe, 2. Little Kitty Aqua by Chet and Dot, 3. Cheeky Blue Cat by Anke Weckmann, 4. Cat Bird by boygirlparty, 5. The King of Swamps by Annejulie's Garden, 6. Cat’s Pyjamas by Yellow Monday, 7. Grumpy Blue Cat by Anke Weckmann, 8. Cleo by Suspect Shoppe.]

As The World Flickrs

Episode 1: The Beautiful ‘Problem’ with Film

(Flickr is an international photo-sharing site which is directly responsible for inspiring me to be better as a photographer, and to see things with new eyes. The source of impressive talent is vast and continues to show me how much more there is to learn. Each week I will be featuring one or more of my ‘faves’ or a specific artist.)

This week I’m featuring three of my favorite examples of light entering the camera where it should not. The results could potentially ruin an entire photo, or even a roll of film, but in some cases, it actually works to become part of the composition in such a lovely way, either by leaving images of the actual film’s paper backing on the photo itself, or by leaving a simple light leak. These ‘problems’ happen quite commonly with plastic, or ‘toy’ as they are known, cameras. I have a few, myself, and some need lots of duct tape, while others I allow to leak. [top to bottom: Untitled, by Nicolai Morrisson, N°5, by RougeRouge, and Summer Dreams in Japan, by Jordi Gual.]

Trading With The Bucketman

Danny Hoskinson is a wonderfully creative talent who I discovered accidentally while browsing Flickr (a photo-sharing site where I am a member.) His claim to fame (and he is well-renowned in the arena of folk art) is his medium, and his method of using and creating with it: I’m talking buckets. Yes, I said buckets. The big industrial plastic ones. He melts them down and creates wonderful, delightful, frightening, and wild creatures which decorate his home (even his truck!) and its surroundings. I imagine anyone visiting him deep in the woods of Polk County, Tennessee will wonder if they are dreaming. But you can see for yourself at his website that I am telling it like it is.

I am the proud owner of his lioness knife with sheath (pictured here) which I traded two prints of my photography to acquire (also pictured.) The photo does not do it enough justice, it has a lot of weight, and the smooth glossy, though wrinkly texture is beautiful! It hangs on my wall, and blows me kisses every time I look at her, and should I ever need protection, there is a knife hidden in that sheath, and I mean a KNIFE. Think Crocodile Dundee.