Hrrrmmm…
Ok its been a few weeks since NYCC and now that I’m caught up with work I figured it was time to post a new journal entry, a very pointed one. At NYCC something came to my attention and I wont go into specifics how, or who did it but my “Villains United…For Poker” was being sold as a print, and I wasnt the one doing the selling. To be clear, another artist showed up at the show with multiple copies of my artwork to which a sepia tone and his signature were added. I spoke with the artist and had him cease & desist but it creates a problem for me that I wanted to discuss; I don’t typically collaborate with other artists so any work of mine with someone elses signature on it is a fraud. If you see any of my work show up at a con and I’m not the artist selling it you’re being ripped off and so am I at that. Unfortunately I can’t police every show to keep my work from being stolen, but the public can. I figure I have a fairly recognizable style so if you spot my work anywhere call that artist out, if you don’t like confrontation, let me know and I’ll call said artist out. The practice of taking lineart and coloring is something I’ve always allowed, though I may change my stance on that after this. But taking lineart you’ve colored and selling it cause you think it looks great is theft, pure & simple. Unless the lineart artist specifically gives permission to sell his work, you’re stealing; it’s not a partnership or collaboration, its theft. A few people are familiar with another “artist” who regularly does this, Rob Granito, and the mess his life became after he became exposed as an art thief. Dont wind up in the same boat with Rob, create your own work and sell it based on its own merit. If you really like the image then create something similar & sell that, I’d much prefer having my work swiped than stolen. Well, that’s all I’ve got for now, gotta get back to making comics!
TTYL,
Ejay
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