Remember when I made
reference to an illustration of a CD cover I was working on? I've finished it and I'm now happy with the results. I've left header room for the title.
I've had to place a copyright on the illustration which I've found I have to do more and more. Recently I found out that in China, someone using an online store (very similar to Ebay) illegally downloaded and posted
my illustration and used it to help sell some Aerapostle jeans they had for sale. Everything on the website of course was in Chinese which didn't help and I had to log in and register to communicate with them. Easy enough if you could read their language. Now how does one go after someone who breaks US law internationally? They never asked nor had my permission to post my artwork and have clearly broken the laws of US
copyright infringement. I'm disgusted to say the least. but let's not dampen the day. So please try to understand when you see that I've added copyright to my illustrations.
I headed to Parables for book browsing and grabbed one off the shelf to sketch. I haven't read it, but liked the cover so it became part of my prop along with my new handbag and leather pencil case which I carry with me at all times. I love to capture moments whenever I have the opportunity.
Today it rained and snowed simutaneously and was relatively warm (low 40's) and you needed and umbrella however by the time I left the office for home it had turned to freezing and I had to scrape the windows. I cranked up the heat and my feet have finally thawed. Not a good idea to stand in snow and ice while scraping your windows. I should have had boots on but who was to know?
This falls under the heading of self-care for introverts. As in, I am needing some bad! I've had a blast these last few weeks with school visits, book signing, speaking at conferences, traveling, working, and writing. I am hugely grateful for each opportunity and all the great people I've met. This is what pro-motion looks like. Selling your next book one relationship at a time.
Each event generates a flurry of emails from kids or students, which I love, but it is depleting. I have one more school visit next week, and then I am signing off for a bit. Going to say no (Introversion 101) to a couple of new event requests. Time to refuel. I don't have a single, solitary toot left in me right now. Maybe one pathetic raspberry, but that's about it.
This week is going to be about napping, journaling, restorative yoga, an artist date or two, and I want to catch a few of the great movies that were awarded last night at the Oscars.
And then there is one of my favorite renewing activities-- tooting my horn about someone else!
Which brings us to National Independent Bookseller's Appreciation Month which is coming in May. Robin and I have begun making plans! For those of you that have been visiting us for a while, you will remember that last May, we dedicated the month to honoring our Indies. (For our new friends, check out some of the fun we had at this link.) We are going to do the same this year, only we'd like to expand the scope and reach. We are hoping to get into the Chase Book of Days so that May will be officially designated for Indie appreciation nation-wide and forevermore. They truly deserve that. Indies are to the book world what introverts are to the human race-- don't you think?
And, we absolutely can't make this happen without you. Yep, you. Will you help? It can be something as simple as visiting your Indie in May and thanking them for their great work. Or, you may want to do something a bit grander. Maybe sponsor a weekly book drawing of local authors? Or, run an add in a local paper thanking them for their work. Perhaps you will be inspired to bake the staff some cupcakes or muffins. Right now, we really could use some of your brainpower. What ideas might you have for actively supporting and expressing your appreciation?
Robin and I sent an email out to about eight of our favorite booksellers and asked them to give us some feedback about some of our ideas. If you have a connection with your local Indie, would you gather some intelligence for us from them as well?
Thanks, everyone. This is our opportunity to give something back to them. Let's put a strong think tank together on this, shall we?
And speaking of horn tooting, it's Monday and that's the day we love to celebrate milestones around here. Anyone have anything they'd like to share? Could be a milestone of any size from finishing a challenging scene to winning the National Book Award. We're open. :-) All entries will be entered into a random drawing to win a copy of Donna Gephart's As if Being 12 3/4 Isn't Bad Enough, My Mother is Running for President, which we blogged about last Thursday.
Hope you all have a renewing kind of week--
Mary Hershey
Joining in the fun of the
Self Portrait Party. Ok, so my chin is not that saggy but what do you expect from a half of a blind contour?
While in a business meeting offsite I noticed the decorating style of the room I was in and fell in love with the wall lighting fixtures and thought they would be perfect in one of the new rooms in our home so I quickly did a sketch on the hotel's signature paper they supplied for the meeting. Don't you just love it? And I have the perfect spot for it.
Ok, so your thinking I should have been paying more attention in the meeting? I was! I actually have created some of my best illustrations while watching a movie or listening to a program or music. It's part of my multi-tasking personality. And, the CEO was watching me sketch and seemed to like the sketch too when I showed it to him.
Remember when I made reference to an illustration of a CD cover I was working on? I've finished it and I'm now happy with the results. I've left header room for the title. 
I love this - it's going to look great on the cd. I'm so sorry you've had to deal with people pirating your work!
Dear Maggie! This is excellent! I can't imagine anything better. I'm sorry you've had those problems with people filching your stuff. I WILL say they have good taste,even if they have no scruples ;D.
great job, and way to go for tackling people for stealing. I would totally do the same thing!! They don't seem to understand that, that is the same thing as walking out of a gallery with someone's painting without paying for it!
Maggie, The CD cover looks wonderful, it will be interesting to see it with the text as well.
This is a great rendering. It's so bluesy looking.
I have no idea how to chase after international sketch-nappers, but I would think even adding a copyright to your work won't stop them. But, I know how frustrating it can be. I had a local gallery steal 8 actual pieces from me, which I was never able to get back. In fact, the woman has shut down several galleries and stole more work from people, and is now involved with a new gallery.
It's terrible that we go through all of this creative work, and people can just take it.
Awesome illustration. Actually a lot of artists find their work being used/sold overseas in China the most. The copyright laws are different country to country. But, you would most likely have to have had an agent who works on these types of things and knows what to do. In reading a book on copyright. When you write or create, put that symbol, date, name.Things sare copyrighted from the moment they are created, but more protection when you actually go to library of congress..I think right oplace and copyright your material, you have a better leg to stand on legally
Been thinking of you lately! The CD cover is great! You are so talented. Hope everything is good with you...love,