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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Artist selling drawings of my house

529 replies

TechGinny · 07/09/2021 12:43

I've just discovered that an artist local to the area is selling drawings of my property on her website. It's not easily viewed by the road, which means she would have had to enter the land to draw it.

I'm feeling quite annoyed about this, as she has never made contact to ask permission.

AIBU unreasonable to feel like this, and would you make contact to ask her to remove it from her website?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
7
montysma1 · 07/09/2021 12:44

Can't see your problem really.

Ifailed · 07/09/2021 12:45

She holds the copyright to the image, and so can sell it.

Bobsyer · 07/09/2021 12:45

Can’t see that I would care tbh.

woodfort · 07/09/2021 12:48

Depends on whether you think she entered your land without your permission or not. If she entered under a previous owner with permission or just painted it from a photo this is fine. I live in a fairly picturesque area and there are postcards and cards for sale in shops etc of individual houses and roads and things, often in the snow etc.

Mybalconyiscracking · 07/09/2021 12:49

I would buy one , how lovely!

ApolloandDaphne · 07/09/2021 12:50

How do you know she entered your property? She may have a photograph she was working from.

Mumteedum · 07/09/2021 12:51

I think you need to work out what you're unhappy about. Is it that you think she's trespassed? Or you just find it weird? Perhaps you could ask her about the image without demanding anything to start with and see how you feel?

"Dear artist

I see you are selling pictures featuring my house. As someone who values their privacy, could you clarify how you selected my house as a subject and how you came to view it as it is not visible from the road? I would appreciate it if you could respond as I'm feeling a bit uncomfortable about it. "

Something like that?

Original poster
TechGinny · 07/09/2021 12:53

It's a house that has been in the family for over a century, so she definitely hasn't had permission from a previous owner. As I say, it's not easily visible from the road, particularly at the angle it's drawn at, so I would be very surprised if she hadn't trespassed to gain access.

@Mybalconyiscracking The drawings are £40! I definitely won't be buying one.

OP posts:
TwooThirty · 07/09/2021 12:54

Is it that she (potentially) came onto your property or it is that there’s a painting of your house for sale that you feel uncomfortable with?

Blossomandbee · 07/09/2021 12:54

Are they just using it as an example of their work? I'm wondering why they would choose your house to draw and sell, and why would anyone buy a drawing of someone else's house?

Fernando072020 · 07/09/2021 12:55

@Mumteedum

I think you need to work out what you're unhappy about. Is it that you think she's trespassed? Or you just find it weird? Perhaps you could ask her about the image without demanding anything to start with and see how you feel?

"Dear artist

I see you are selling pictures featuring my house. As someone who values their privacy, could you clarify how you selected my house as a subject and how you came to view it as it is not visible from the road? I would appreciate it if you could respond as I'm feeling a bit uncomfortable about it. "

Something like that?

This is a good idea
ditalini · 07/09/2021 12:56

You have no possible leg to stand on here. By all means ask her about how she was able to view your property in order to paint it, but her reply will not change the fact that you have no rights over other people's images of your house.

DeepaBeesKit · 07/09/2021 12:57

I think if you can prove she trespassed to be able to view the house to draw it you may be able to take her to court? I think all you could is use the image to argue about the trespassing though, not sure if you could stop them selling the picture.

I dont know if physical property is different to an image of a person, but maybe its a bit like when people take photos of the royal family, generally if there was an expectation of privacy (the house not being visible from the public road means you had an expectation of privacy I think) they can't publish the photos usually, at least not in the UK.

Fabbydabbydoozey · 07/09/2021 12:58

Let’s see the picture.

TwooThirty · 07/09/2021 13:00

The drawings are £40!
That really isn’t a lot at all for a hand drawn picture. (Unless it’s shit?)

But back to the point... If it’s the trespassing that’s an issue then I would contact her and say something like;
‘I’ve noticed you have created artwork of my home. As the view you have drawn isn’t visible from public land then I’m slightly uncomfortable with the thought that you trespassed in order to get it. I value my privacy highly. Please could you reassure me that you did not enter my private property, or if you did so unknowingly, that you will not do so again.’

Itsbeen84yearss · 07/09/2021 13:00

I think you’re getting a bit of a slating here. We used to get people stopping and posing for pics outside our house and I found that a bit annoying. Not sure you can do much about it though

Original poster
TechGinny · 07/09/2021 13:02

@Mumteedum That's an excellent message to start with, thank you Smile

I think it's the lack of permission and trespass... it is a notable house in the area, but it's our family home and I do feel uncomfortable about it. This is just my gut reaction though, I genuinely wanted to see how other people might feel.

OP posts:
daisypond · 07/09/2021 13:02

I’m a bit taken aback by some of these responses. You are well within your rights to ask how she got close enough to your property to draw a picture? Are you sure the artists didn’t work from a photo? My MIL lived in picturesque house that appeared on postcards and tourist items, but her house was directly on the main street and completely visible to all.

WorriedWishingWell · 07/09/2021 13:02

You've no claim in copyright. Not much you can do about a one time alleged trespass either. You could point out to her that as a matter of courtesy you would have appreciated her contacting you, and perhaps a gift of one of her pictures would be welcome.

RiversideAnne · 07/09/2021 13:04

She doesn’t need permission and you have no recourse to stop her.

It’s just one of those things you’ll need to let go! Really not worth being upset over.

SirVixofVixHall · 07/09/2021 13:04

If there are no public footpaths that she could have used , or photographs in the public domain, then I would send the message above and see what she says.
If your house is a manor house, or listed building etc, then there may well be old photographs online, google your house and see what images come up. eg Family member has an old family house that will come up in various searches, news from a century ago, garden parties, all sorts of things including an image taken by aeroplane. Does she name your house in the pictures ?
If she has come onto your land to take pictures of your house I can understand completely why you are concerned.

VienneseWhirligig · 07/09/2021 13:05

Could it be Google Earth that has given her the details? My back garden and garage are easily viewed on GE despite having a mid terrace with gated entry which only me and three neighbours have keys for.

SusieBob · 07/09/2021 13:06

You can feel slightly annoyed if you know for a fact that the artist had to trespass - are you sure though there are no pictures online or anything that she could have worked from?

You have no recourse at all about the pictures themselves, other than appealing to her best nature. At £40 a pop though I would suspect they are a bit shit though.

Original poster
TechGinny · 07/09/2021 13:07

@TwooThirty

The drawings are £40! That really isn’t a lot at all for a hand drawn picture. (Unless it’s shit?)

But back to the point... If it’s the trespassing that’s an issue then I would contact her and say something like;
‘I’ve noticed you have created artwork of my home. As the view you have drawn isn’t visible from public land then I’m slightly uncomfortable with the thought that you trespassed in order to get it. I value my privacy highly. Please could you reassure me that you did not enter my private property, or if you did so unknowingly, that you will not do so again.’

Oh, I know, I do appreciate the value of art (although no, it's not amazing, but then the house is very special to me so I may be overly critical). It's more than I don't have a spare £40 for a picture of my own house Grin

I don't want to take her to court, I don't think it's serious enough for that. I think I'll send her a message along the lines of what's been suggested and take it from there.

OP posts:
mygenericusername · 07/09/2021 13:07

Google earth has a 3D view. Have you googled the property to ensure there are no public images?

All of that aside, £40 is nothing for a hand drawn picture. In fact it’s a bargain. Maybe share her page so we can all buy some cheap artwork.