ART post cards for ARTchix studios swap/contest--Discussion and Pics

For anyone familiar with ARTchix studios, you know Helga (owner) runs swaps/contests for the best images to be added to her collage sheet collection. The main winner wins a shopping spree, the rest of us, get copies of the sheets she's made.  I have only entered a few of these swaps/ contests.  I would enter more if they were JUST SWAPS.  There are many superbly talented artists in the group.  But I do not think favorably, of the contests. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.  The voting I will not discuss, as it might start some rumors or worse arguments. but I will discuss, the art the players make and what happens with it.

The first time, I entered such a contest was a few years back when Helga was looking for mermaids to make a "faux poste" sheet.  My husband pointed out, the "unjust-ness" of it...but I pointed out how having my name appear, is publicity as it were, and the hopes of getting more and more recognition kept me entering.

Here is what happens, if something you make is chosen to become part of her collections to sell and make a profit off from now til whenever. You get 3 copies of the sheet she as created with your art and all the other art she chose from the dozens of applicants. Additionally you get a blurb about you on her website for this sheet. I am not sure how long these blurbs stay up there.  That is it, she now owns the rights to that piece of art, and she gave you the rough equivalent of $15.  Each time she sells she sheets, she makes the rough equivalent of $5.  Again, if you are familiar with ARTchix studios, you KNOW she is selling hundreds of these sheets.  EVERONE who plays gets 1 sheet. (which is nice).  But what about those Artists whose work is chosen? Is $15 a fair price, to sign over their rights to their own piece of work?  I'd really like to hear other people's opinions on this.  My husband has been saying no, ever since the first one I joined...mermaids faux poste.  My children starting chiming in a little later, especially my son--agreeing with their dad. Recently I have had the opportunity to discuss this at length with someone who has actually graduated from art school, they also think there is something not quite right with this.

IN Helga's and ARTchix's DEFENSE, I will say, that the most recent swap/contest sheets she has produced have the artists names ON THE SHEETS, which to me, makes a BIG difference.  So adding this new factor into the mix, I'd really like to hear from all you fellow artists out there, on your opinion, of signing over the rights to a piece of your art for you name being on the sheets (so people purchasing them, know where they came from) and the equivalent of $15.

I want to also point out that there are rules to these swap/contests...you must use ARTchix items...and in the beginning it was "one of the following", and you'd have a few choices to choose from.  However the last few there have been at least 3 items that you MUST use, so inevitably you must purchase from ARTchix to even ENTER the swap/contest with no guarantee-- obviously that your work will be chosen.  So she is making a profit from the artists even before their work has been signed over to her, and then of course if your work is one of the "lucky ones" to be chosen- you sign over your rights, and she continues to make a profit.

I wasn't going to do anymore of these swaps/contests...but the last one which was Gothic arches I really enjoyed, and I'd LOVE to do it again...as just a SWAP.

This post card swap, we had to purchase 3 of the ARTchix collage sheets to be used on the post cards. I wasn't going to do, as I really wasn't in the mood to spend more money for a swap at that moment.  But I had never made post cards, and when I looked  at the one sheet needed for the swap (make art, create happiness), I liked it...I already owned 1of the three sheets, so I decided to go for it.  I am pleased with my results, and I made 2 for me.  I also made sure I signed my work on the front...very tiny, but it is there, and I signed the back.  I did not put any other info on them, because I have a "Post card" stamp, and I used that, and a blank "stamp" stamp and put that on there, and I drew a line straight down under the words "post card" so that they look identical to real postcards.  I might put a post-it note on the back of each with all the other info.  I bet, because my signature is on the fronts of these, none of mine will be picked.  Just a prediction.  I also made 2 sets, this is the first time I have ever joined any of the swap/contests making more than 1 set.

so....Please give your opinions on how you feel about the rights to one's art, as listed above.  and I also wouldn't mind opinions of my art post cards.  :)  LOL

Set one:

Set two:

With all being said and done...I do want to say that I LOVE ARTchix studios and Helga is awesome, I am merely looking at the 'rights to the artist's work' angle here.  They are closing the Yahoo group down, which is most, most sad!  They are moving everything to Facebook, I am a member of FB, and like FB, but I PERSONALLY know at least 5 people, who have gotten hacked and or viruses and worms from items on FB or thru FB. Due to this, I do not do much on FB...I play (and actually I haven't played it in months) --Bloodlines, and I play Zoo World(again haven't played in a while). Otherwise I chat occasionally with art friends, old classmates, some family members, and friends of my kids.  I limit what photos I put up.  I am very leery of putting up art photos. Therefore the closing of the Yahoo group is making many of us,  Thinking very carefully if we are continuing our membership and participation, again...very sad.  One of the members created a flickr group, so we could do the bi-weekly ATC lotteries, which I have joined.

QUICK ADDITION:   YES, she notifies us of how it works, and we have to sign a release.

Ok, waiting to hear from all my art friends. :)
Susan