May's Tip of the Month.... beware of Art scammers!

I had a 'very nice chatty enquiry' by e mail this morning asking if my painting 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, We Love You' was still available for sale.

The name of the sender seemed familar  and my suspicions were confirmed when I googled the name Betty Hammond but just in case it was a legit enquiry from someone with the same name I replied that it had sold a year or two ago at the CWA exhibition but that limited edition prints of the painting were available. I was interested to see  what the reply would be.  Almost immediately I then received a second e mail.

I have decided to share the e mail with you all as I hope, that by me doing so, it might help raise awareness and stop someone from being duped by scams such as this.

This is the e mail I received.... I have highlighted in italics the key areas which everyone should be very wary of if they receive an enquiry and will explain why these should be red flags to you below.

" Dear Ona,

Thanks for your prompt reply. I'm interested in a Limited edition print matted and framed.(1) 

Unfortunately, I'm on my way to France on an official trip (2) (I'm a marketing Executive) and won't be back for another two weeks.

If you'd like to know, I'm relocating to South Africa soon (2) and I'm trying to gather some good stuff for my new abode.

However, I'll have to notify my shipper (3) who's helping me move my stuff to get set for the pick up of the piece from your place as I MIGHT be delayed depending on how things goes.

In the mean time, kindly get back to me with your contact address and phone# so I can get a check prepared and have it mailed out to you right away. (4)

Betty Hammond"

  

Scams like this are the most common scams that hit artists. They presume we are eager for a sale, and move quickly, if we let them.
 
So What are the red flag warnings you should look for in an enquiry?

• The buyer chooses the most expensive option and one that is awkward/costly to ship (1)
• The buyer is in one location, the art is going to another location, and the money comes from a third location (2)
• The buyer selects their own shipping company or private shipper (3)
• There is a sense of urgency and the buyer wants to move quickly. They also issue you a cheque, money order or bank draft from a bank you've never heard of before (4)

The scammer finds an artist's website or other on line marketing site. They will typically pick artwork which is priced highly and/or one that is heavy or awkward to ship. They then pose as a buyer, asking to purchase the work. 

They will offer to take care of the shipping themselves, though their own shipping company or private shipper. 

They will often, but not always, say that they will pay you for the shipping and the art. These shipping cost will almost always be much higher than a standard courier. 

The scammer will very quickly send you a cheque, money order or bank draft for the item plus shipping fee. After you have confirmed that you have cashed the payment, they will tell you that they have had some horrible life event and need the money refunded ASAP.  Because the shipping company never picked up the artwork, you refund the sale. 

The scammer receives your cheque and cashes it before your own bank  realizes that the cheque, money order or bank draft from the scammer is a fake and removes the money from your account. You have now lost the money, with very little possible chance of recovering it!

So How do you protect yourself?  

If you are being asked to ship an item, always use a known courier company and choose that company yourself. You can always give the buyer a couple options so they can choose the fee and delivery style that best suits them. But be in control of the shipping.

Request payment via a credit card using an online payment option like Pay Pal which provide both buyers and sellers with added protection. Although paypal will take a percentage of your sale, it is much safer for you. Any legitimate buyer should not mind paying via credit card because it also provides them with insurance if their item doesn't arrive. Do not accept cheques via mail unless you and the buyer are willing to wait until you know the cheque has cleared before shipping the item. This will typically scare away any fake buyers and encourage real ones to pay with a credit card. 

Always conduct yourself professionally and do not be afraid to lose a sale.

The scammer might send out thousands of e mails like the one above.... most of the time it will be noticed for what it is and ignored. They will continue though because it only takes that 1 in a thousand person who doesn't realise and sends them money to make it worth the scammer's effort. Don't be that person. Be aware!

information source credits: http://stopartscams.blogspot.ca/2013/04/scam-email-betty-hammond.html https://sites.google.com/site/bogusartfair/buyer-shipping-scams
and http://www.artquest.com/artquest/scammer-names.html
Thank you all for your valuable information.

'Collect-Ted' Art Trading Cards Now Available

Do you enjoy my Ted series of watercolours?

 If so, you can now start collecting them. 

Each Trading Card is printed using archival inks on quality fine art paper and is 3.5 by 2.5 inches in size. The photo below shows just a selection of the cards available.

(Please note: some images have been cropped to focus on the bears when dimensions of the original painting do not allow the full image on the trading card).

The trading cards can be purchased in 'Collect-Ted' clear boxed packs of either 10 or 20 assorted cards

A pack of 10 Art Trading Cards is $15.

A pack of 20 Art Trading Cards is  $25.

Prices are in Canadian Dollars and include Free postage to Canada and the US. 

(There will be an additional $5 shipping charge for orders to the rest of the world)

e mail ona@onak.ca with your order. 

Payment is made via Paypal which accepts most major credit cards.

Merit Award LWS 43rd International Exhibition

I have just found out that my painting 'Re Unite-Ted' has won a Merit Award at the Louisiana Watercolor Society 43rd International Exhibition. Thank you to the juror Cindy Agan.

What an amazing couple of weeks this is turning out to be!

The exhibition is open until the 28th of this month

(1332 Washington Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana 70130  •  504-891-3032  •   Gallery Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 11am to 5pm and sundays 11am to 2pm)  

 so if you are within travelling distance do go and view all the amazing paintings in the exhibition

Ona

Donors Award at the TWSA Exhibition

I am honored and thrilled to let you know that my painting 'Bookworm Breakfast' has won The Donors Award in the Transparent Watercolor Society of America 37th National Exhibition.

The exhibition of just over 80 paintings opened this week at the Kenosha Public Museum and runs until August 4th.

Ona

Having fun with friends!

I have had a wonderful week at the Mckay Gallery. Yesterday Birgit O'Connor, who had just arrived from California for a workshop she is teaching this week, stopped in with Tamar from Studio Six to see us and the paintings. It was a wonderful surprise.

In the photo from left to right ... Tamar, Shirley the president of the society, Birgit and I.  'Incriminate-Ted' is lurking in the background too.

Thank you for visiting the exhibition.

Best in Show and Portrait Award!

I have some great news to share :) My painting 'Incriminate-Ted' has won Best in Show at the BWS Luminosity 2013 Exhibition

Our Juror , Bianka Guna, very kindly wrote comments for each award winning painting.

'Watercolour at its best- very transparent layering of light, following an original idea and impeccable technique –what else could a juror ask for? Congratulations!'  Juror, Bianka Guna'

 My other painting 'Content-Ted' won the Portrait Award!

'A peaceful, intimate and skillful portrait of a child sleeping- an instant classic. Masterful description of serenity, a dreamy piece!' Juror, Bianka Guna


 If you would like to see the exhibition it will be open at the McKay Gallery on main Street Unionville all week and then many of the award winning paintings will transfer to the Richmond Hill Centre for the performing Arts for the remainder of May.

Ona

Caffeinate-Ted!

Poor 'Caffeinate-Ted' is trying to study for his exams but he has left it all to the last minute! He is now desperately trying to stay awake and is resorting to coffee, chocolate and cookies to help keep those eyes open while he studies.

Will these desperate measures be enough for him to pass his exams in the morning? ... or will the caffeine fix wear off and sleep deprivation take over?

Transparent watercolour 25.5 inches by 16 inches on Arches 140lb cold press.

Ona

Caffeinate-Ted WIP

 So how many times have you stayed up late to cram for a test the following day or to finish that painting that is calling to you and by 2am when adrenaline alone won't keep those eyes open you resort to a caffeine fix? This is the idea behind the next Ted painting that I am working on. 

I have been developing the scene over the last week, building up the glazes on the background and the table, to create that dim late night feel. Now I am starting to paint in the items on the table. There are plenty of books of course and plenty of coffee beans too.

 Can you guess what else is still left to paint?

Ona

April's Tip of the Month.... helping to protect your copyright and your identity as the artist!

 This is a very sad but necessary job for an artist in today's web wide world. The Internet is a wonderful resource for artists helping them to advertise their artwork and skills as an artist. So many of the public though are  totally unaware of the fact that an image posted on the web by an artist of their painting is not an image that can just be used for any purpose by others.

 Using an artists image for any reason without prior permission from the artist or copying that image for a piece of your own artwork digitally or with pencil or  paint is a breach of the artists copyright.

So how can an artist help to educate the general public, raise awareness of copyright and keep your identity as the artist?

I am still trying ideas and very open to others ideas but...

 Here are some ideas that I am now using that you all are welcome to try too.

1.  An image of your painting on your blog, website,  face book page or art forum page is clearly attributed to you but people share images or down load them from the Internet. Some do ask permission to use your image which is wonderful but when they share and then other people share or save your image and re post in time your identity as the artist can become lost. To stop this happening put your name, the name of the painting and the word copyright very clearly on the actual image.

 Most photo editing programs have the tools to do this. I use photoshop CS3

a. Open the image of your painting in photoshop
b. Click on the T in the tool bar (see arrow on image below down the left hand side) and draw a text box onto your image
c. Type in the name of your painting, your name and the word copyright. This creates a text layer on top of your painting.

d. Now save your image as a jpg in the usual way. Make sure you do not put full resolution images on the web. Keep them between 600-800 pixels on the long side.

2. Don't just put a copyright logo in the bottom corner of your website or blog. Its sad but true that most people don't notice it. Write a sentence explaining at the top of your website face book page, twitter site or blog where it is much more easily seen. This is what I use. Feel free to adapt this for your own use too.

All paintings are the copyright of Ona Kingdon. Please respect this copyright and do not use or reproduce any photograph of a painting or use the idea for a painting or digital manipulation of your own without seeking permission first.

3. Regularly check your images using google image search. Go to the google image page.

a. Click on the camera (see arrow in photo below)

b. This will now appear

c. Upload your image and then press search by image


d. Google will then list web addresses where you image is found. You can also browse through the visually similar images just in case anyone has altered your painting.

These tips wont stop the hardened criminal who is determined to infringe copyright but it will reduce the chances that your image is being used by someone who is less aware. It will also mean that if they do use it your name goes with it unless they choose to remove it and then its not so innocent a use! It will also help to keep you informed of where your images are being used and then you will be able to e mail that person or company and ask them to remove the image. You might think like I did a couple years ago... but no one knows me, they wont use an image of mine. If its there on the web someone will use it for something so please take the precautions to stop, at the very least, your identity as the artist becoming lost.

Let me know if you have any other ideas for helping  artists keep their name with their images and help protect the copyright on their work.

Ona

Mist-Ted

Here's another miniature...

My curious little Ted wants to see into our world in the study or living room because its rainy inside his painting world. He has come really close to the glass to see us and to dream of warm cosy fires and hugs, but the glass keeps misting up. Humidity can be such a problem sometimes!

 Mist-Ted wipes away a small section with his paw so he can see you all.  The painting is 2 and 3/4 inches by 4 and 7/16 inches and its painted on Fabriano hot press paper.

Ona

Publicity for The NWWS 73rd Annual International Open Exhibition 2013

This promotional flyer for the NWWS 73rd International Exhibitioncame in the mail yesterday...

It is a real honor to have my painting  ' baby on Board'  featured on it along with several other beautiful paintings. I hope that those of you within travelling distance will be able to visit the exhibition when it opens later this month. It promises to be well worth the visit.

The 73rd Annual International Open Exhibition 2013

April 15 – May 31, 2013

Mercer View Gallery, 8236 SE 24th St., Mercer Island, Washington 98040

Coded Thoughts

The mysterious goings-on inside teen brains have befuddled countless parents over the years. At times it is almost feels as if teenagers are thinking in an alien or 'coded' language that adults are not invited to be part of or simply do not 'get'. 

The simple fact is that teenage brains are still developing. They do indeed think differently.  So the next time you're ready to yell,

"WHAT in the world were you thinking when you did that?",

remember ...teenagers are not thinking the way adults think.

Tansparent Watercolour 31.5 by 21 inches on Arches cold press paper.

Splash 15 winner Notification!

I was thrilled when I opened an e mail today from Rachel Wolf and Sarah Laichas from North Light books to say....

"Congratulations! We are very happy to inform you that one of your paintings has been selected for publication in North Light Books' Splash 15: Creative Solutions." 

It is an honor to be chosen for such a prestigious book along with so many fabulous watercolour artists.You can see who else has been selected HERE

The painting that has been chosen for publication is the one of my two naughty Ted's 'Intoxiate-Ted and Inebriate-Ted' who found an unopened bottle of whisky in Grandpa's study one day. I sure hope the news of their upcoming fame won't result in more celebrations ;)

The book will be published next year.

Ona

Ona's March Tip of the Month!

This months artistic tip is all about Colour!

Understanding how people see and interpret colour can help you to create a feeling of distance and space or create an enclosed claustrophobic feeling in your paintings. It can make objects jump out at you even though they aren’t in the foreground of your painting or areas closer to you in terms of perspective appear less obvious.

It’s time to get technical and impress our artistic friends and families with some scientific words :) 

Every colour that we see travels to us on a wave…. not a watery wave but a wave of light. Each colour we see has a different wave length (the distance between each peak of the wave).  Warm colours have a longer wavelength (a longer distance between each peak of the wave) than cool colours. 

Our eyes have lenses in them. As the light hits our eyes and travels through these lenses, colours with shorter wavelengths of visible light e.g. blue, are bent by our eye's lenses more than colours with longer wavelengths e.g. red. As a result each colour is focused onto a slightly different place on the retinas at the back of our eyes. This is referred to as Chromatic Aberration.

And now here comes another big word to impress people with…

 Chromostereopsis is an illusion whereby the impression of depth is perceived in a two dimensional object such as a painting. This illusion of depth is attributed in some way to the process of chromatic aberration that I described above. Although there is no clear scientific theory as to exactly why chromostereopsis works but somehow we  perceive the warmer colours with longer wavelengths as feeling closer than cooler colours with shorter wavelengths.

Even though we dont fully understand exactly how and why it works, chromostereopsis can be a fun word to drop into a conversation… try this one ;)

Partner…. "are you still in the studio? When is it supper time?"

Artist….  "I’m very busy exploring the psychology of chromostereopsis. Can you make supper tonight?"

Do let me know if it gets you extra painting  time.

BUT how can we use this illusion in our paintings?

Basically if you paint an object using a colour with a longer wavelength than the colours you have used around it, the object will appear to jump out at the viewer even if it’s further away in the painting in terms of perspective.

Conversely if you use a colour with a comparatively shorter wavelength it will push things back that are actually closer in perspective but that you don’t want people to notice as fast or first.

To illustrate this I want you to look again at the background in the painting I am working on now. I wanted to create a feeling of separation in terms of space and distance in the area that’s actually nearest to Alex. I didn’t want the section of the background to the left of him as you look at it on the screen, or in the bottom section to feel too close to him even though in terms of perspective it is quite close.  I therefore chose an indigo blue as the predominant colour. This helps to push this section further away in our minds. At the same time I also wanted to create the feeling of the binary code coming to us and him from the computerised head in the distance so chose to paint the much warmer compliment orange for a section of the stream of code further away from Alex to help create this effect. So although that part of the binary stream is much further away in perspective distance the change to the warmer orange in this area helps us feel as if it is much closer to us. To some more imaginative souls like me it might even create the feeling as if it’s rushing to us.

 I have taken the above photo and manipulated it in Photoshop so the colours are reversed. See now how close the background nearest to Alex feels to him and how far away that section that was orange and is now blue feels. 

Chromostereopsis is fun isn't it!

 Have a play with colours and explore the ‘psychology of Chromostereopsis’ this weekend. 

I'm going to be trying to finish this painting :)

Coded Thoughts WIP 3

What a difference a day can make...The preliminary washes take a long time to do - glaze upon glaze slowly building up the contours of the face and then with just a few final skin tone washes in one afternoon the portrait then comes to life. I still have the eye brows to darken slightly but this is easier to do once I have at least some of the hair painted in so I'm waiting to finish these for the moment.

Today I also adjusted the pupil on the left side as you look at the painting on the screen because it was looking a little higher than the eye on the right. Its only a millimetre or two down now but in portraiture every millimetre counts.

Ona