If you change your name when you get married, how should you sign your paintings? Should you continue using the name you had been, or should you change to your new one? In a discussion on the Painting Forum about the issue, Jennifer says: "I have no idea if it's typical not to sign paintings with your real name or not. I'd like to stay with my maiden name, Valentine, just because I like it and it has personal meaning to me to sign my work with it." Trhaug says: "I believe, as women, we should sign our given name as that is who we are and it could become confusing for buyers and for future historians." Jane says: "I wish I had read this discussion many years ago. Now I simply have a general confusion going on as far as signatures go..."
What do you think? Add your thoughts in a blog comment.
See Also:
• Where, How, and Why to Add a Signature to a Painting
• The Current Trend of Not Signing Paintings is Truly Dumb (From The Painter's Keys)
Photo: © kingofcoleslaw, Morguefile
Comments
There are times when I make a stamp to sign my work, especially when I feel so much influence by a (mentor) painter. That way we can both have credit.
With 30 years full time experiece in painting..definetly sign with maiden. My first 10 years I signed with maiden and married…Mary Hagy Smith…and was releasing Limited Edition prints..including my first ..an edition of 2,000..that sold out in 3 months. So I really have my signature out there that way. After divorcing dropped the last. A woman may marry several times and MUST be consistant with her identity for business marketing. Even was seriously dating a collector that mysteriously abruptly broke up after my saying I wouldn’t be signing my paintings with a married name. Hum?
I sign with maiden and married name, but am thinking of using only the married name