When Google representatives recently invited dozens of prominent artists to contribute work to be featured on its new Web browser, the company enthusiastically sold the idea as an opportunity to have artwork shown to millions.
But some, like Gary Taxali, were not impressed. Mr. Taxali, an illustrator based in Toronto whose work has appeared in publications like Time, Newsweek and Fortune, received a call in April from a member of Google’s marketing department. According to Mr. Taxali, the Google representative explained that the project will let users customize Google Chrome pages with artist-designed “skins??? in their borders.
“The first question I asked,??? Mr. Taxali said in a recent interview, “is ‘What’s the fee?’???
Mr. Taxali said that when he was told Google would pay nothing, he declined.
Google, though rebuffed by more than a dozen illustrators, said in its statement that it had plenty of takers.
“We don’t feel comfortable releasing the names of artists who are participating in the project before it launches,??? stated the company, which also declined to give a date when artwork from the program would appear on Google Chrome. “However, we are currently working with dozens of artists who are excited about the opportunity to be involved in this project.???
