using parts of magazine pages in my paint and collage canvases for sale

by Patricia Mortensen
(Dargaville, New Zealand)

I use portions of magazine pages for my collage pictures. I don't cut the pictures out, I use portions of a complete page and randomly paste on canvas. Then I paint, do mono printsing in the gaps, blob, stamp, add my own papers I have painted, collage textured stuff here and there, rub on crayon, pastel etc,use phrases out of context etc and in the end you might see parts of a bookcase, high heeled shoes, a hot air balloon or the likes but not be able to say that came from 'whatever' magazine. I make and sell a limited amount I'm certainly not in business on a large scale. Am I infringing on copyright issues, and if so what do other people do? Great to find this site will keep it on favourites. I don't actually have anything to show you at the moment, and actually will have to learn the whole process of loading on anyway - but I will in time. Thanks in advance. Patricia Mortensen, Dargaville, Northland, New Zealand.

Hi

as far as I know images from magazines and other such publications always have a full copyright on them , so it is fine to use them for artworks, collage projects etc that are for personal use but I would caution against using the images for commercial purposes.

In my opinion commericial use is any use that brings in money ..however little .. so even display on websites which have adverts on them for the purpose of earning income can be deemed as commercial use ...

It is a bit of a mind field so if in doubt always try and use your own photos or images especially advertised as copyright free and fro commercial use avaialble ..

I am no copyright expert by any means, but for my personal experience I would not use any commercially printed magazine images if I intend to sell/display the artwork for profit ..

Hope this helps
..milliande