to be annoyed and remove this painting?

[linslime]

friend is an artist (not for money or anything, but she went to art college and enjoys dabbling when she has time around the kids) and for my birthday last month gave me a beautiful painting.

Bro and newish girlfriend were round for dinner recently and she said ‘oh I saw that painting at [art related event] and considered buying it’. I said ‘oh I didn’t buy it, friend painted it for me’ and she looked at me strangely and said oh maybe I’m mistaken etc.

when they left I googled a few key words plus our city and found the REAL artist. Friend has copied the artist’s painting pretty much brushstroke by brushstroke and passed it off as her own. I did consider that maybe she bought the painting from this artist and pretended she’d painted it but on close examination it’s not exactly the same. But a clear copy. She’s signed the corner etc.

i don’t know why I’m so annoyed. I think because I felt like an idiot in front of visitors who knew the original existed yet I insisted ‘no no that’s my friend’s work’. If she’d told me she’d copied it I would still be a bit ‘hmm’ but at least I would know.

AIBU to not want it hanging in my lounge?

Would it bother you if she had painted it from someone else's photo?

In my mind, that's the same thing, she saw something she knew you would like because of the place it is and used it as inspiration and made you something you loved.

Let the idea of it not being original and thus 'ruined' go and enjoy it for what it is, a friend who spent time making you something you love.

OP I often paint birthday cards for my friends and family. None of them are “original”, I follow You Tube demonstrations, which have tens of thousands of views, should I tell people I copied these paintings every time I send them?

@Discovereads Sorry, but this isn't right (or rather, it's right but it doesn't relate to what I said). Section 107 deals with criminal liability only. No one is suggesting that OP's friend has committed a crime. Copyright infringement is also a civil matter- the relevant section of the act is s. 16

www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/48/section/16

(To be clear, I'm not suggesting it's a huge deal or that the artist would have any interest in pursuing this- very hard for her to show any loss, for one thing. But it is a copyright infringement.)

It isn't!
She really should have told you if it was a copy of another artists work. Intellectual property and copyright violation is a big issue in the arts world and she would have known that even if it wasnt done for profit.
You will have to ask her I suppose.

Don't be silly, it's a painting you love and others admire. It a totally reasonable thing for an artist to do. Being able to copy another artist also takes considerable skill and artistry. Painting from a photo could also be considered 'cheating'.

I was asked to copy a painting on a poster for a potential client, but she rejected my offer when I said I was a digital artist, saying she wants oils or acrylics. I did point out to her the original painting was actually a digital painting and the artist was also a digital artist. Didn't hear from her again. Lots of snobbery in the artworld.

Enjoy your painting.

YADNBU I'd feel the same.

I think people are being a bit unfair to the OP. I can see how if you thought it was an original piece then finding out it was a copy could take some of the specialness away from it. I do think the friend should have mentioned it was a copy. It's still a really nice thing to do and to put the time in to create it etc.

It takes an awful lot of skill to replicate a painting. No doubt saved you hundreds of pounds. It's not a rip off, it's a work in its own right is how the art world works

In an earlier post you said you'd met the original artist at a local event? Maybe your friend just assumed you'd appreciate a tribute to an artist you admired? Seems strange though if you have met them and liked their work, that you didn't recognise the style?

This is perfectly normal. How do you think artists learn new techniques and grow into new mediums? By copying, and learning the style of the brushstrokes.

You are totally overthinking this.

It would have taken many hours and a lot of expensive materials to make this picture, which was done with you in mind.

You sound very ungrateful and not a good friend.

OP I understand why you felt embarrassed after what your visitors said.

But you loved the painting and your friend did it for you.

Even van Gogh copied things apparently!

www.dailyartmagazine.com/van-gogh-copy/

I was thinking this too.

Fantasy land? Cautious? Wtf?

I don’t/ didn’t know the original artist’s work, I met her at an event for another artist

Amateur artists copy other artists though. Unless she is a professional and copying stuff and selling it as her own unique work, I really can't see the issue.

I expect she saw the original painting, thought you'd like it and so painted it, signed it and gave it to you.

Not sure at all how that is odd.

@excellentday - I totally agree with that.

I like to paint but really struggle with my own ideas/inspiration. I love to copy other artist's work.

It's somewhere that means something to you, it's a style of painting you like, and she spent a lot of time and effort to make it. Not to mentioned the expense of materials.

Enjoy it as a thoughtful gift. Which is what it is.

You're ungrateful. I used to be an artist - I wouldn't have copied another artist's work when I was selling and had work on-line and in galleries.

Now, when I don't sell or put things online, yes I would consider doing it for a friend's gift. Painting is expensive and time-consuming both to do the actual painting and come up with original ideas. It takes a lot of the strain out if you are just copying something, and she sounds like she is in a position where she is short of time and wants to just enjoy painting.

Producing art is work, she just did something to make it feel a bit less like work. She still spent money and considerable time and thought in producing it.

Have you ever spent hours in producing something for her birthday?

You sound very entitled, OP.

What thoughtful, hand made gifts do you give to her I wonder,