How to Write an Art Contract

Time and again, it's been proven to me that even my most knowledgeable colleagues don't know how to negotiate and contract for an art project.

I use something based on this for all projects, no matter the size. Note the instruction that, "If we didn't talk about it, it's not in this contract!"

The bigger the contract, the more loopholes and lawyers. Don't try to INCLUDE everything. Just EXCLUDE everything you won't need to negotiate right at that time.

And it's ALWAYS 50/50%. You're a professional. If the printer, shipper, cameraman, etc., get paid - SO DO YOU. 

If you're a writer - or a fucking FOOTBALL FRANCHISE (ask me how I know) - who tries to argue anything else - SHAME ON YOU.

We can die of exposure.

Keep It Simple, Stupid

A Tail of Jim

Jim are not happy.

Jim's home!

Yesterday we discovered Jim had scraped an inch-long trench in the end of his tail, possibly even broken it.  We thought he'd gotten his tail caught in the door, but now we're not sure.

Anyway, he's home, with stitches in his tail.  

The vet's assistant, Naomi, said she came THIS close to putting a pink ribbon bow on the tail.  So maybe he'd better think next time.  

Vet bill, of course, so am trolling for commissions.  Nice black and white drawings (including rough and scan) for $30.00, $12.95 shipping, handling and insurance (Within the US and Canada -- a bit higher overseas).  If you want more figures, or color, we can talk; hit the email address (on my profile, here).

Or donate a beer at the Desert Peach site!

Note:  PLEASE DO NOT REQUEST COPYRIGHTED CHARACTERS.  Using other people's or company's characters for money is copyright infringement and THEFT.  I hate to have to say this again, but people still need to learn this is wrong and illegal.  I DO NOT STEAL FROM OTHER ARTISTS.

Donna Barr Lets Her Characters Go Play With Fans

I love my agents.  Letter from me to Dave Baxter and Dallas Miller, of Killing The Grizzly.

"Hi, D & D:

I would like to extend a huge gift to my fans, but I want to ask you first.  You know how Gene Roddenberry allowed anyone to sell any Star-Trek-related things they created themselves?  I'd like to do the same with my work.  Not the old stuff you're representing -- anything THEY make, new and pretty.  I'll let you hyperventilate for a bit, and then get back with me."

Dave Baxter:

"Hyperventilate?  Hell, no, that sounds fantastic.  I mean, personally, I think every creator should pirate their own work and stick it out on torrents and forums and P2P sires.  Anyone who downloads the work there and reads it on a computer (un-ideal) wasn't going to give you money anyway, either due to not having any money or just being a stubborn ass, but either way I don't believe you actually lose anything and you gain word of mouth and exposure.

Creator-approved fan-fic (even for profit) is a profound idea, and can do nothing but good.  It's free marketing and reader engagement for publishers, too.  On paper they all have to poo-poo these kinds of ideas, but if they're already in motion.... :)

Dave Baxter (of Dave Baxter and Dallas Miller, of Killing The Grizzly).

So there you go, folks.  Go nuts.  Send me stuff (email files, copies, links) to read or enjoy.  Sell it without worrying about paying me.  Invent new characters, whatever you want to do.  It's a big desert out there (and Gene was usually right).

Cool Facebook Thread about this.

Poor Clueless Pimples

My answer to:  http://blog.copyrightalliance.org/2010/02/pilfering-copyrighted-images-mock-freedom-and-respect/

"Oh, come on, my fellow authors/artists.  Haven't we all met the trembling fan-boy at the conventions who has a picture of our art or a photo of Betty Page in the alltogether and acts like he pooped it out of his own butt?  Or the quivering fan-girl who pretends to be us at trade shows -- or even goes into bookstores to sign our books?  Hey, we used to call them Trekies.  Give these poor, talentless, uncreative people a break.  They can't make it themselves.  Most of them never got near an art class because our schools don't provide them any more; they've been harnessed mind and soul to work on factory lines or punch out code.  The best they can do themselves is make bath bombs or Martha Stewart Halloween potpourris.  Poor things. have some sympathy; what else have they got?"