The Truth Of The Issue.
Pat B. asked me yesterday to remove an article about her on my blog and her link to her site, which I did. Her squatch was also used on the "Let's Talk Bigfoot" radio show ads, and those were removed as well. However, since Pat B. gave me the squatch as a gift for my blog and website, I told her that I would not be removing the art. A gift is a gift.
I do recommend though, in the future, that artists clearly state what their expectations of their work is (it's truly a gift; an agreement is in place before use; and/or they receive payment).
While I feel this issue is a private and personal matter between myself and Pat - Pat has chosen to take this public. Im not sure what a business arrangement has to do with the field of Bigfoot Research but none the less, she feels its important that everyone know.
This banner and the artwork on it has been proudly displayed for 2 years, and as such has become a recognized symbol for this site. I am sorry that Pat B. felt the need to use these tatics as a way of getting what she wanted, it truly is unfortunate.
Here are the actual unedited emails exchanged on this issue (I have nothing to hide). Again yes, Pat B. did create the artwork (the squatch) for my banner, but she did not create the banner itself, that was done by someone else. As you can see by reading the emails, I offered to pay Pat B. for her work because the artwork was going to be permanently associated with my blog and website as a recognized banner and logo, she declined more than once.
Melissa Hovey wrote:
Pat,
Whatever you think you want to showcase :) I like your work - so I am good with anything..
Question.. How much would you charge me to create a logo for my blog? Nothing fancy - just a sketch type drawing and i can have the banner created. I think a pencil type sketch would fit in very good with the theme of my blog. Not even all the details - just a sketching of the basics from the shoulders up - does that make sense?
Im asking you because I really liked the non aggressive look you gave to the TBRC squatch -- excellent work pat :) I get so upset by the scary looking ones... :(
Fri, 2 Jun 2006 18:51:35 -0400 (EDT)
Re: Questions
Pat B.
Oh, sure, I'd be happy to do a sketch for you. I'll do the whole banner if you want, or just a sketch, either way ..... but no charge!
I don't want your money. I wouldn't know what to ask anyway, so don't even think about that. I haven't charged anyone for the work I've done on the web. It's all free stuff and I'm just happy to be doing it.
Just give me some parameters on the size, etc. What do you want the big guy to be doing? Do you want a straight on front
view, or something more 3/4 view, or something else? Do you want him to be looking at the viewer....I'm getting ideas right now....maybe a 3/4 view looking at the viewer a bit over his shoulder. It would show his sagittal crest and the nice cape of hair down his head and shoulders. Just brainstorming here. Or it could be more of a front view like in the poster.
Melissa Hovey wrote:
OHH I like the idea of the squatch looking back :) THAT IS AWESOME. 3/4 view of the face is great. I want you to have fun with it.. And please, in the bottom put your name or however you copyright -- as I do not want it misused by anyone, and I don't have the ability to put those things in :(
If you have the time - and really want to do the entire banner, that would be fine by me -- as that is something I can do,, but It wouldn't be as good as your work Im sure. -- I'm very computer slow - lmao.
The banner requirements for my blog are pretty much the standard size, my current ones are 468x60 - but if you can make it larger, that would be great :) my blogger editor will downsize anything too big, and wont just disallow.
You are very sweet to do this at no charge :) I didnt expect that, but I do appreciate it sooo much :) I do love your work - and displaying it for everyone to see daily on my blog -- will be such an honor --- OHHHHHHH (the lightbulb just turned on) Put at the bottom of the banner "Copyright (whatever you use) and then type in your website address :) You are very creative - have fun with it -- I am not picky when someone is doing something for me out of the kindness of their heart :) YOU ARE WONDERFUL to help me this way -- THANK YOU SO MUCH PAT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fri, 2 Jun 2006 23:18:28 -0400 (EDT)
RE: Banner
Pat B.
Melissa, can you give me your blog address again?
Is that 60 px height the highest it can be? Or is there some room for making it a bit higher. 60's pretty small. If not, I'll work with it. I'll stick within the 468 width measurement which is a nice size anyway. It's just that the height is a bit restrictive.
Oh, I wouldn't put my web address on your banner. No, no, no. That would be distracting. It's your site and your artwork so I wouldn't do that. I'll sign it, though. That will be enough.
Now just tell me what else you want on the banner. I have Photoshop and can add in type too.
I probably won't have time to get at this over the weekend, but early this week, I'll do up a rough or two and email them to you to see what you think.
Also, I expect you to give me constructive feedback. I expect to make changes to the rough until it's what you want. Don't think because I'm not charging you that you can't give me direction or say if you don't like something. I would rather you tell me exactly how you want it and not give approval until it's the way you want it done.
And, it can be more than just a pencil sketch if you want. I love painting, so I'm happy to do that too. You think about it and we'll discuss it some more after I do up an image or two. Okay?
Pat
Anyway, sure, and let me know pixel size for the height of the banner so I can send you something within that size range.
Then June 5th after reviewing the sketches (multiple sketches) provided by Pat, I asked her if I could use all of the sketches, or just ones she would select. This was her response:
When Pat B typed:
"It's your site and your artwork so I wouldn't do that. I'll sign it, though. That will be enough."
That gave me clear permission to use this work as I see fit. It had become my property the day she turned it over, and you don't need a law degree to know that.
I am sorry this has gone in the direction it has. I had no prior problems with Pat, and I always enjoyed her work.
I hold no ill will toward Pat, and I wish her all the best in her endeavors. :)
I do recommend though, in the future, that artists clearly state what their expectations of their work is (it's truly a gift; an agreement is in place before use; and/or they receive payment).
While I feel this issue is a private and personal matter between myself and Pat - Pat has chosen to take this public. Im not sure what a business arrangement has to do with the field of Bigfoot Research but none the less, she feels its important that everyone know.
This banner and the artwork on it has been proudly displayed for 2 years, and as such has become a recognized symbol for this site. I am sorry that Pat B. felt the need to use these tatics as a way of getting what she wanted, it truly is unfortunate.
Here are the actual unedited emails exchanged on this issue (I have nothing to hide). Again yes, Pat B. did create the artwork (the squatch) for my banner, but she did not create the banner itself, that was done by someone else. As you can see by reading the emails, I offered to pay Pat B. for her work because the artwork was going to be permanently associated with my blog and website as a recognized banner and logo, she declined more than once.
Melissa Hovey wrote:
Pat,
Whatever you think you want to showcase :) I like your work - so I am good with anything..
Question.. How much would you charge me to create a logo for my blog? Nothing fancy - just a sketch type drawing and i can have the banner created. I think a pencil type sketch would fit in very good with the theme of my blog. Not even all the details - just a sketching of the basics from the shoulders up - does that make sense?
Im asking you because I really liked the non aggressive look you gave to the TBRC squatch -- excellent work pat :) I get so upset by the scary looking ones... :(
Fri, 2 Jun 2006 18:51:35 -0400 (EDT)
Re: Questions
Pat B.
Oh, sure, I'd be happy to do a sketch for you. I'll do the whole banner if you want, or just a sketch, either way ..... but no charge!
I don't want your money. I wouldn't know what to ask anyway, so don't even think about that. I haven't charged anyone for the work I've done on the web. It's all free stuff and I'm just happy to be doing it.
Just give me some parameters on the size, etc. What do you want the big guy to be doing? Do you want a straight on front
view, or something more 3/4 view, or something else? Do you want him to be looking at the viewer....I'm getting ideas right now....maybe a 3/4 view looking at the viewer a bit over his shoulder. It would show his sagittal crest and the nice cape of hair down his head and shoulders. Just brainstorming here. Or it could be more of a front view like in the poster.
Melissa Hovey wrote:
OHH I like the idea of the squatch looking back :) THAT IS AWESOME. 3/4 view of the face is great. I want you to have fun with it.. And please, in the bottom put your name or however you copyright -- as I do not want it misused by anyone, and I don't have the ability to put those things in :(
If you have the time - and really want to do the entire banner, that would be fine by me -- as that is something I can do,, but It wouldn't be as good as your work Im sure. -- I'm very computer slow - lmao.
The banner requirements for my blog are pretty much the standard size, my current ones are 468x60 - but if you can make it larger, that would be great :) my blogger editor will downsize anything too big, and wont just disallow.
You are very sweet to do this at no charge :) I didnt expect that, but I do appreciate it sooo much :) I do love your work - and displaying it for everyone to see daily on my blog -- will be such an honor --- OHHHHHHH (the lightbulb just turned on) Put at the bottom of the banner "Copyright (whatever you use) and then type in your website address :) You are very creative - have fun with it -- I am not picky when someone is doing something for me out of the kindness of their heart :) YOU ARE WONDERFUL to help me this way -- THANK YOU SO MUCH PAT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fri, 2 Jun 2006 23:18:28 -0400 (EDT)
RE: Banner
Pat B.
Melissa, can you give me your blog address again?
Is that 60 px height the highest it can be? Or is there some room for making it a bit higher. 60's pretty small. If not, I'll work with it. I'll stick within the 468 width measurement which is a nice size anyway. It's just that the height is a bit restrictive.
Oh, I wouldn't put my web address on your banner. No, no, no. That would be distracting. It's your site and your artwork so I wouldn't do that. I'll sign it, though. That will be enough.
Now just tell me what else you want on the banner. I have Photoshop and can add in type too.
I probably won't have time to get at this over the weekend, but early this week, I'll do up a rough or two and email them to you to see what you think.
Also, I expect you to give me constructive feedback. I expect to make changes to the rough until it's what you want. Don't think because I'm not charging you that you can't give me direction or say if you don't like something. I would rather you tell me exactly how you want it and not give approval until it's the way you want it done.
And, it can be more than just a pencil sketch if you want. I love painting, so I'm happy to do that too. You think about it and we'll discuss it some more after I do up an image or two. Okay?
Pat
Anyway, sure, and let me know pixel size for the height of the banner so I can send you something within that size range.
Then June 5th after reviewing the sketches (multiple sketches) provided by Pat, I asked her if I could use all of the sketches, or just ones she would select. This was her response:
I'm sending you copies of the two previous banners with no type on them, so you can add in your own.
Have fun!
Use all of what I've sent you, Melissa. They're yours. Of course, the originals are mine, but these images for the banner are yours. And all I ask is that you try to use the ones that have my signature and copyright symbol. I made sure these two have it, and the new ones I sent you earlier have it as well.
As far as changing up your banners, sure, do it if you want to.
Pat
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I complied with that request, as I wanted to be sure someone else did not steal her work, and pass it off as their own original work.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Pat
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I complied with that request, as I wanted to be sure someone else did not steal her work, and pass it off as their own original work.
When Pat B typed:
"It's your site and your artwork so I wouldn't do that. I'll sign it, though. That will be enough."
That gave me clear permission to use this work as I see fit. It had become my property the day she turned it over, and you don't need a law degree to know that.
I am sorry this has gone in the direction it has. I had no prior problems with Pat, and I always enjoyed her work.
I hold no ill will toward Pat, and I wish her all the best in her endeavors. :)
posted by Melissa Hovey @ 1:14 PM
