How to Copyright Art

With more content being made available on the Internet, including songs, poetry, movies and books, it has become easier to steal the intellectual properties of other artists. Copyright laws are becoming enforced more strictly to protect the rightful owners. There are a number of ways to copyright your art so you can benefit from these protections.

We're not offering legal advise - this is a great article from eHow.com that we wanted to share:

1.  Ensure that the art that you want to copyright is truly your own creation. If anyone else was involved in the creation, she must be included in the registration process of that art

2. Read the useful literature that the US Copyright Office puts out on copyrights (see Resources below). This will help you understand your rights and legal requirements.

3. Pre-register your art with the US Copyright Office. While there is no law that requires you to apply for a copyright, it is a good idea to register your art with this office so that any legal enforcement can be obtained in the future if necessary.

4. Fill out an application to register your copyright with the government through the US Copyright Office. There are different forms for literary works, performing arts, sound recordings and visual arts.

5. Submit your art copyright application to the US Copyright Office. Do not forget to include a copy of the art that you would like to register.

6. Expect to receive a certificate of registration for your art copyright in about 6 to 8 months. It takes time, but it is well worth it. The copyright will last as long as the lifetime of the certificate holder, plus 70 years.

Read more: How to Copyright Art | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_2153636_copyright-art.html#ixzz1RX7FmX7X

For information on art rental, art leasing or purchasing artwork please call Art Rent and Lease - we work with clients throughout the US and provide original artwork starting at just $25 per month.  An example is a 24" x 24" original piece by artist Shawn McNulty shown above, renting for $60 per month.  Visit our website:  www.artrentandlease.com

The Art of Hanging Art #1

Courtesy of Nielsen Bainbridge via: http://michaels.com/The-Art-Of-Hanging-Art/as0108,default,pg.html?sms_ss=twitter&at_xt=4dbd6f5a13e06ecb,0

Hanging art is easier than you think. All it takes is a little creativity and planning. Below are helpful hints and creative ways to make your walls say everything you want them to.

Plan your layout:

	It's important to achieve the right balance between your wall space and the frames you want to display. Larger frames can stand alone, but smaller frames should be grouped together for impact. Clustering several works together will enrich any space. Choose the pieces you want to use. For visual interest, use frames of varying shapes and sizes and hang frames both vertically and horizontally. Lay it out on the floor first. The simplest way to create a grouping is on the floor. This gives you the chance to arrange and re-arrange without making holes in your walls. Think of the arrangement as one large picture. The most effective groupings are large oblong shapes. Arrange the pieces from the border of the shape to equal the space you have measured off. Play with the interior space. Change the pieces around. Check the balance. Step back and look at the arrangement. Make sure you balanced the heavier and lighter pieces, as well as spread color throughout the grouping. How do the frames look next to each other? Re-arrange until you feel the group is visually balanced. Measure the distance between the pieces on all sides. The grouping should be centered in the space (equally distant from the ceiling and the anchoring piece of furniture). Measure the distances between the pieces carefully and write them down. Stay tuned for The Art of Hanging Art #2 & #3!  If you need help with art for your space, call us at (888) 440-9250 - we have art for rent, we lease art and we sell art throughout the US.

Interior Design Trends: Brown and Green

Blue Sky Evergreens by Bonfils

An excerpt from COLOURlovers.com

Green and brown work well in studies, these are the two colors that I automatically think of when a 'study' is mentioned. Of course, they are not limited to only the study. The darker and heavier shades seem to have a traditional feel to me, though I know that is not always the case. There are so many pieces, in so many styles of design, which is absolutely wonderful. So, what do you think about green and brown?

We have a variety of paintings and sculpture in colors of nature, green and brown.  For more information, visit our website at:  http://www.artrentandlease.com/ - we rent art, lease art and sell art!  With over 3,500 original paintings and sculpture, we have just the right piece for your space.

Christmas Tree Made of Lobster Traps - Benefits the Arts

AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty

In this photo taken on Dec. 2, 2010, Albert Carver, looks at a 50-foot-tall Christmas tree made of lobster traps on Beals Island, Maine. Some of the top lobster-fishing ports in New England are claiming bragging rights about who has the biggest and best Christmas tree created from lobster traps. The groups that put up the trees say they draw attention to the ports' maritime heritage, bring people together and raise money for good causes. The tree in Beals helps raises money for the Beals-Jonesport Fourth of July festivities and the one in Gloucester benefits a nonprofit devoted to the arts.

For the full article, visit: http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Most-Emailed-Photos-photo-taken-Dec-2-2010--Albert-Carver-looks-50-foot-tall/ss/1756/im:/101205/480/urn_publicid_ap_org_afdea4882fa246f78b15850cadd56e00/

Merry Christmas from everyone at Art Rent and Lease, your resource for fine art rentals, art leasing and artwork from hundreds of artists throughout the US, much of which is sustainable.  Wishing you and yours a safe and Happy New Year!

2011 Budgets Just Around The Corner

Summer is over, how can that be?  It seems like just yesterday that I was pulling out my white pants for the season!  Now it's time to embrace Fall and Winter, put away those warm weather clothes, summery throw pillows, prune the plants and bring out the warm socks.

For many of you it's time to plan for 2011 budgets, update your space and prepare for the new year.  If you need to spruce up your home or office, re-frame, redorate or you are relocating or expanding, consider working with one of our art consultants to maximize your art budget.

You can check out the website at http://www.artrentandlease.com/ and see over 3,500 original works of art from artists throughout the US.  For more information, please follow our blog - it talks about many different areas within the world of art: artists, artwork, color, design, styles, tax-deductions on art rentals, art leasing, art for your building or office, utilizing art to improve your corporate image and enhance employee morale...all meant to help and inform.

Lisa (888) 440-9260 x710 or lisa@artrentandlease.com

Designers, Architects and Clients: See us at NeoCon and IFMA

Art Rent and Lease will introduce their Fine Art Rental, Sales and Leasing program to designers, decorators, architects and clients at NeoCon in Chicago, June 15th - June 17th, 2009 - See us in booth 8-2113 (8th floor): Visit http://www.neocon.com/show_info/neocontv.cfm for more details!

For Facility Managers, join us in booth #2011 in Orlando, FL on October 7 - October 9, 2009! We're featuring art to enhance the workspace, "Green" art using recycled materials and art that will enhance employee morale. See you there! http://www.worldworkplace.org/

For more information on our designer/architect/decorator program please email lisa@artrentandlease.com or call (888) 440-9260 x710.

Art Rental and Leasing Will Save Your Company Money when You Need Art!

Your company still needs to have art on the walls! Bare walls don't enhance your image and they most certainly don't improve employee morale. Additionally, bare walls don't elicit confidence or encourage creativity - they do just the opposite.

What do your customer's think and feel about you when they walk into your office and see nothing that projects your objectives, strength, stability and style?

Believe it: first impressions really do count!

In these tough economic times, everyone is actively looking for ways to maximize their limited budgets when they need art for their lobby, conference room, offices and hallways. Fine art rentals and leasing can help you meet those needs within a tight budget. Art rentals or leasing requires a low up-front capital expenditure and features art for rent starting at just $20 per month!

www.artrentandlease.com has over 1,200 works of art from over 80 emerging and established artists in virtually every medium. Clients can rotate between different works of art, always providing a fresh new look to their office space. The image above is "Flowing Red Triptych" by New York artist Lynn Dunham at a hedge-fund client's conference room in New York. See Lynn's blog at: http://www.lynndunham.blogspot.com/