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A month ago I was approached by a local musican to do album art. I agreed until he told me he could only give me under a week to complete it, I declined because I had multiple commissions I had to complete and that just isn’t enough time to give any artist
He provided me a reference of one of my works of the vibes he was going for, this specific piece of mine. I told him he could take that specific piece and we could change it to fit the project but he declined, which is totally fine.
The way he talked to me about my work was a little off putting as he said , oh well if canvas doesn’t work then you can switch to digital as if I would Just slave away to create something and prioritize him over other people who have asked for commissions MONTHS IN ADVANCE
He also proceeded to belittle me and visual artists to one of my best friends. Acting as if I should hustle around for him and the visual art isn’t as a serious career/ work.
Anyway I was a little annoyed that someone because they have a decent amount of followers/ Spotify listens was treating me weird. But I was just like meh I’ve delt with people doing this before whatever. But then yesterday Sarah showed me the art work he decided to use and uh
I know it’s not super identical. But to completely rip off my concept, my colour palette, even the way the lines are and the little scribbled words and just move around a few things is not fucking cool. The face in the corner is just a smaller version of mine.
Especially with an abstract piece that I really thought was very unique and also challenged me a lot, it hurts to see my own art ripped off and turned into a lower quality version for an artist I do not want to be associated with.
It’s fine to have inspiration from other artists, all of us do it all the time. But to do a blatant mimic of it, and to also profit off of it? Especially with an abstract piece which is very different than my graphic work. Just hurts. I genuinely loved my painting so much
After i noticed the similarities he then continued to take no accountability. Putting all blame on his creative director and artists even though he sent it to them, and claims he did not notice their similarities.
Hé made me feel as if my own art was not worth crediting or getting paid for, something HE will be profiting off of and I won’t. I told him I wanted a formal apology, he didn’t even apologize to me. He apologized that he’s sorry this happened and acting like this isn’t his fault
Here Is him not taking any accountability and not changing the album work like I asked. I don’t even want credit at this point I don’t wanna be associated I don’t want my ideas to turn into something for someone else. That piece was very special to me and I’m angry.
He told me he would do a public apology and I asked him specially what I wanted because I don’t want to have a shout-out or be associated with this cause I’m not okay with it. But then he took this back and sent me this instead.
This isn’t how you treat artists. Shoutouts do not pay my bills. I am very profoundly upset that my idea is now used for something I did not agree for and demand to be changed. I will not stand to get walked all over and belittled. Respect artists. Pay artist.
