Comments on: Sunday Mailbag

By: Mark

Mark — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 21:21:51 +0000

This is interesting. I just returned from New York City last week and have pictures of your work, and that of others, that phonies were displaying as their own in Time Square. Most of them saw me looking at their stuff and eagerly approached me to have me sit down. I told them I didn’t know if they could even draw because all of their samples were stolen off the internet. Some looked at me in shame, others tried to reduce their price. And you’re right, they could at least try and be smart about it. They have the same ripped off samples as the guy six feet away. Unreal.

By: Chip

Chip — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 12:17:04 +0000

Tom can you try incorporating a pen name or something that can ID your work in the actual drawings as proof the work is yours?
I know some cartoonists like Al Hirshfeld used to put “Nina” in his caricatures and Pulitzer winning editorial cartoonist Paul Szep used to put his daughter “Amy” in the cartoons.
If I was a customer and sat down in front of these hacks that used your art as samples I’d say I want my caricature to look like that. Obviously the hacks work couldn’t match your work quality after it was done.
Then I’d refuse to pay for it and tell customers the hack artist is a fraud!

By: Tom

Tom — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 02:17:50 +0000

Thanks for the advice, Karl!

By: Karl Simpson

Karl Simpson — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 23:13:44 +0000

Tom, you are absolutely right in everything you say but also I have to say a little wrong.
I’m talking the UK law here so don’t get confused with USA law as I’m no expert on that.

An artist displaying other peoples work at their stand would in my eye be claiming that that work is his / hers and most people look at the quality of the samples to choose a caricature artist.
So for me that’s a deception or “fraud by misrepresentation” as we now call it.
However you would have to prove that the artist has that intention but I feel that would be quite easily achieved by someone asking them if it was their work and noting their answer.
If they said “Yes” then for me case proved. Call in at a Police Stn and report them.
That’s the easy bit though because what if they said no, you would then have to reply on the perception that is given of their stand displaying other peoples work as their own. That would be more difficult but not unachievable, a test case would have to be taken I feel.

Just a few thoughts.
Next time you see some of your work try it out, but I hasten to add that I am talking UK law not sure on the USA.
I’m sure you could easily take some advice from your local Police Stn.
Keep up the work Tom it’s great I check by everyday.

Karl (UK Police Officer)

By: Malcolm

Malcolm — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 21:54:09 +0000

What a shame!
I totally agree with you, it’s sad and it’s also a scam to the customers.
I’d like to see you coming up to one of your caricatures they have on display as their own art, and sign it. That might embarrass them a bit.
Your artwork is really great.
salutes