My name is Noelle Dass. I am an independent artist and I launched the Artimals® brand in 2004.

Artimals® is the name I gave to my unique style of art - whimsical, stylized animal paintings depicting themes of joy, courage, gratitude, and love. In 2008, I registered the name Artimals® with the U.S. Trademark Office, and it was officially granted. There was no reason for me to believe this trademark was ever a problem to anyone, especially since it was Federally approved, so I embraced this journey of creating and sharing it for over 20 years.

Since then, Artimals® has become more than a brand - it’s been the heart of my life’s work - from paintings, prints and t-shirts to my book, Be Who You Are (“A story about believing in yourself, as told by the lovable Artimals®”) and especially the new books I am currently working on. This name has embodied the soul of my creative life.

But suddenly I’m now facing a legal challenge:

A large corporation that owns the children’s clothing brand Garanimals® has filed a petition to cancel my legal right to use the trademark Artimals®.

Their reasoning? That Artimals® is too similar, could confuse consumers, and is “diluting” their brand - suggesting that the use of the Artimals name is taking away their sales.

I understand and support that companies must protect their trademarks, but this feels like an unnecessary overreach. Their clothing is mass-produced and sold exclusively at Walmart whereas I’m a solo artist creating and selling original work directly to people, often one by one - through the demanding challenges of traveling to art shows, my website, and by donating to organizations I care about. How does a painting on someone’s wall or a heartfelt children’s book threaten a giant retail clothing line?

To defend the name I’ve built, I’ve hired an amazing attorney (and a genuinely good person). This is a complex litigation and, to be honest, this is bigger than me, it’s about protecting the soul of independent creativity. When small artists are silenced by corporate power, it sends a message that only the biggest voices are allowed to exist. I strongly fee that we need to stand up against that.

Indie creators aren’t just part of culture - we shape it, with every brushstroke, word, and idea. As O’Shaughnessy wrote in 1873 in his poem “Ode” - “We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams…we are the movers and shakers, Of the world for ever, it seems.”

With humility and heartfelt sincerity, I'm asking for your support. Either through a purchase on my website (noelledass.com) or this GoFundMe.

This GoFundMe is here for those who believe in independent creators and want to help cover the mounting legal fees involved in protecting myself and the Artimals® name.

Your support will go directly toward:

• Legal representation, fees and filings

• Preserving the rights to continue creating under the name Artimals®

• The Artimals brand

If you’ve ever smiled at one of my paintings, read Be Who You Are with your child, or felt the magic of independent art - please consider supporting or sharing this campaign.

I will also be using proceeds from my art this year to help fund this legal defense. But if you'd like to join me in this fight for creative rights, your contribution - of any size - means more to me than I can express!

- Please share my story. Our voices, our stories, our art - they are worth protecting - we matter and we deserve to create without being threatened by corporations.