Etsy Updated!
Cheese Days has come and gone, and with it my last show/convention of the year. I am still not sure what next year will hold as convention dates continue to elude my schedule. I'll keep you all updated as I know 
In the meantime, I did update Etsy. I updated the HECK out of Etsy! I had not realized there were so many pieces that I had never made listings for! But they are there now I also updated the shipping for almost everything so it is calculated by location, made the listings auto-renew (no more "Oops! That one expired!) and added some better photos to older listings.
www.etsy.com/shop/Arikla
Anthrocon was great!
I arrived on Thursday and picked up the Shuttle to the hotel. Due to all the traffic and construction the driver took the scenic route, which was actually kinda pleasant. Little long, but apparently the highway would have been longer anyway. Arrived at the Westin and started to wrangle roommates. Casidhe was already there, very nice person I must say, and Folix was nearby at the convention center. I plopped my stuff in the room and then headed over for registration. I intended to volunteer for ArtShow set up, but by the time I had everyone wrangled they didn't need any volunteers. Coconut arrived a bit later and got him situated as well. (Fruit loop smelling soft fursuit, very cute!) I was able to hang my own and Cara's art in the show then get most of my table set up. That huge room was very intimidating! I had dinner that night at Ten Penny, a little pricey, but the food was delicious!
Crashed to bed fairly early that night.
Friday I was glad the Den opened a little later, so I could sleep in. Coconut is apparently a morning person! Felt bad that no one was going to breakfast with him, but too exhausted to get up. I plunked down at my table and prepared for the day. Which went well! Mostly small things sold - pathtags, Celtic Critters and Pins. I did a couple badges and one sketch. (Badges and sketches will be posted later). Dinner was at Bill's in the hotel that night due to rain. Friday night was the Art Reception, which is a nice idea for those who can't get away easily for check out the art show and bid. I wandered there for an hour or so and adored some of the pieces but those I really liked were too large to get home. I was also a little nervous about spending as I hadn't reached break even yet. Hibbary has done some amazing growth in the last few years and I was especially drawn to a couple of her pieces. Noted some of Cara's already had bids, yay! Back to the hotel to crash
Saturday I had to get up a bit earlier. Went to Crazy Mocha for morning steamed milk... frankly, I like Crazy Mocha over StarBucks, they actually know what a steamed milk is without having to explain it and get funny looks. Back to the den. I usually walk around for 30 minutes or so before sitting just to get a bit of exercise and see what everyone has. Saturday was actually a little less busy for me than Friday. I still did a couple badges, but toward the end of the day as "homework". The fursuit parade I think played a role. It went right in front of my table, which was nice. Did have a dog (actual dog) poop during the parade right in front of my table which I knew was going ot go bad quick. So, I grabbed one of the ziplocks and picked it up quick... except one piece that got kicked into the little hole of the access hatch, so I had to notify someone about that since I couldn't get to it. It was, however, at least out of harms way. Apparently this was t-shirt worthy, which was awesome, but made me laugh. I don't get t-shirts for picking up poop at work! The rest of the night was uneventful. I wound up at Henry's with some of the Dorsai for dinner (tasty turkey burger and AWESOME sweet potato fries.) Then went to the zoo for a bit to finish my "homework". I'll admit, those blue lights in the zoo are harsh on the eyes
Sunday I was up at the same time, though was able to get coffee with Coconut this time. "Coffee" = "Steamed Milk" I've never liked coffee. Back to the Den. I realized I had bought one more Red Bull than I needed, and not wanting to lug it back to my room I had two that day. bad idea. I was SO fidgety! I had one more badge on Sunday. I was able to buy "The Seventh Bride" from Ursula Vernon (yay!) to read on my way home. Den closed and I realized I had not only passed my previous sales record at FC in 2013 I had actually probably broke even after taxes and fees (this is not a common event for me). I went to pick up art in the Art Show and found 3/4 of Cara's pieces had sold! Sweet! i didn't sell any of my own, but that means i don't have to scramble as much for pieces for the shows in August and September (local arts and crafts faires). Since I had great tale sales, I didn't mind that much. I was able to get everything packed up decently and quickly. I had wanted to eat somewhere new, however most of the restaurants around closed on Sunday
So I wound up at Fernando's with Folix. It was ok, but not great.Monday everyone slowly drifted out. I was able to check out without any issues, catch my shuttle, and get to the airport. Security was very quick! and for only the second time ever my carry-on was NOT searched. Usually I have so much stuff in it it does get searched. Once home, Wolfy made me an awesome chicken Wellington and I was able to relax before work the next day.
All in all, a great con. Will I go back? yes... however, again, another con that fall on my On-call weekend next year. *sigh* It is looking like I will probably not be doing any cons next year, in which case I will have to focus on networking/advertising. Which I hate and suck at... but I need to get better somehow.
DA Artist Questionnaire
November 2003, I think... sometime 2003 at least.
2. What does your username mean?
Arikla is the name I chose for myself way back in 1998-ish. It sounded good.
3. Describe yourself in three words.
Neurotic art dabbler
4. Are you left or right handed?
Right
5. What was your first deviation?
It is the oldest in my gallery, however I don't think it was my first deviation. I think I removed some of my older pieces.6. What is your favourite type of art to create?
Celtic colored pencil of mammals. I love both knotwork and working with fur textures.
7. If you could instantly master a different art style, what would it be?
That tight yet sketchy acrylic look. I love what other people do with it, but just don't seem to have teh skill myself.
8. What was your first favourite?
9. What type of art do you tend to favourite the most?
Realism and pieces with an emotional pull. I do not have a big list of favorite pieces.
10. Who is your all-time favourite deviant artist?
I think that would go to ursulav . Her art is often so whimsical I can't help but be happy looking at it.
11. If you could meet anyone on DeviantArt in person, who would it be?
Um... Gray-Ghost-Creations I think would be my choice.
12. How has a fellow deviant impacted your life?
All have inspired me to continue to get better
13. What are your preferred tools to create art?
Colored Pencil, some ink.
14. What is the most inspirational place for you to create art?
Anywhere outside, especially with trees and woods and happy...
15. What is your favourite DeviantArt memory?
My first DD. It was something that said I am ok and doing alright.
#DeviantArtistQuestionnaire
Think of the Orphans!
Ok, so I started researching the orphan Works Act as it is currently making the go round and here is what I discovered:
1) If you want to read the actual document please go here: copyright.gov/orphan/reports/o… This is actually the 234 page review and recommendation to congress about revisions to the current copyright acts.
2) This was a report and recommendation put together by the Registrar of Copyrights after collecting roundtable conversations, reports and looking at current and past as well as foreign copyright laws in general and in relation to "Orphan Works". This is NOT a bill currently before congress as has been commonly touted. It is also an addendum to the current copyright laws/Act and not a replacement. It is solely intended to cover "Orphan" works as those had not previously had any coverage under the prior Acts but are covered in other countries.
3) Starting on page 114 is the actual Act as recommended to Congress (note the blank date and congress number...it is not currently before Congress, thus has no number.) This is the "meat" and has some interesting things I should point out:
a) It will not allow anyone to steal your art and put it on anything they want commercially. There is actually a part under Section 1(f) that reads "EXCLUSION FOR FIXATIONS IN OR ON USEFUL ARTICLES
The limitations on remedies under this section shall not be available to an infringer for infringements resulting from fixation of a pictorial, graphic, or sculptural work in or on a useful article that is offered for sale or other commercial distribution to the public. " This is specifically saying that the previous limitations on liability for people who use "good faith" orphan works do NOT apply to commercial products (mugs, tshirts, etc that are offered for sale)
b) You are not losing your copyright if works are not registered or considered "orphan". You still have legal recourse though it is limited depending on certain circumstances. However, the definition they provide of "reasonable compensation" is pretty much what you would have charged that person to use the work in the manner they did. Essentially to make the artist whole. However! In the very next part it says the limitations do NOT apply if the "infringer" fails to negotiate "reasonable compensation" or fails to PAY "reasonable compensation". It is not a free for all on your art.
c) It's actually a fairly lengthy list of what an "infringer" has to prove in order to qualify for a limitation of liability under the Act. They have to perform a diligent search and be unable to find the owner of the work AND file a Notice of Use with the Registrar of Copyrights AND provide what attribution is known about the piece AND mark the work as "orphaned" with a mark (to be determined by the Copyright office), AND must provide detailed documentation of the initial search to any Civil proceedings resulting from use of the work.
d) I know the "search" has been a sticking point for many. How do they know where to search? What databases are acceptable? Why can't they just say "I looked hard, really!" The recommended Act does say what constitutes a "diligent search" and it is thus: Search of the records of the Copyright Office AND "reasonably available" sources of copyright or licensure information (likely private or public registrars) AND technologically tools or expert assistance AND appropriate databases including those on the internet. What is really important is that Failure of the Copyright holder to respond to an inquiry or that a particular copy of the work is not labeled is NOT sufficient to deem it "Orphaned" and qualify for limitations of liability if used. This means if you usually have a watermark on your art, but one person removed it and reposted it, lack of that identifying information on that copy is not enough to call it Orphaned. Also, with all of that, just lacking registration does not make it "orphaned" and there is a provision for increased compensation for infringement if a piece IS registered.
e) The Registrar of Copyright has to create a searchable database for the Notice of Use declarations. While not perfect, this will allow artists to search the database for their works.
So, while this has gotten rather wordy, I think that covers the basics. Yes, artists should keep an eye on any changes to the Copyright Acts especially as this is not the final bill, but a recommendation made. No, it is not perfect. However, after reading through it, I would hesitate to push the panic button a this time. My work is still mine.
Anthrocon! and other stuff
And other stuff... why suddenly so many round/square Celtic pieces? Mostly because I discovered Strathmore Artist tile. They are little 6 x 6 squares of paper. Originally intended for doodling, but they take colored pencil very nicely! I *may* have a table at a Renaissance faire this fall so trying to up the amount of Celtic pieces I have. However, I really have two anthro pieces I want to do next, so they will take longer, but will be a break from All Celtic All the Time!