Maybe this is beyond the scope of what I should be asking but it's about the reference of others and how my art has become the source of someones references.
An acquaintance is using my art as a reference. They are either tracing or closely referencing my art to the point where it's pretty clear it's mine. They mimic tattoos I've designed and are basically mimicking my character designs too. I don't know if I would mind if they just acknowledged they were referencing me. But they have in fact stopped engaging with me cold turkey as soon as the mimicry started. I don' know how to approach this person and talk to them about how I dont like it. Or if I should ignore my weird feelings because I shouldn't get in the way of their development. Either way I feel pretty used by this behavior. Any advice would be nice and I appreciate your time.
I know this has sat in the inbox for a while, but I needed time to think how best to reply. Ultimately, your feelings on this matter are yours and are valid. I can only answer from my personal experience. I have had a friend that did fanart of a character I designed once, but it was in their style, so it wasn't to the extent that is happening to you. Even in the centuries past, budding artists used to copy works of the masters before developing their own styles. These copies were never intended as gallery pieces of the training artist or claimed as their own works. They were done solely to learn from it and were discarded or stored. Sometimes a copy will get discovered and a merchant may try to pass it off as an original of the master it imitates, which is why fine art dealers in museums may sometimes run into challenges trying to authenticate a painting that is old enough and using the proper materials for the period, but could STILL be a fake. So if I were in your shoes, I guess it would be me asking them a lot of questions: Why are they doing this? Are they trying to trace your work and pass it off as their own? Determining if it is art practice or art theft would be the first place to start. I do not know this person. Perhaps they really admire your style and want to emulate it and are trying to figure out what the key elements are. In my experience with things that bother me, I know it sounds tough, but just reach out and communicate to them what you are feeling and why. If they are a person worth having in your circle, the interaction will be fine. If it is met with negative energy, you don't need them in your life. I know that sounds blunt and it is easier said than done when I am a person outside of the conflict giving that advice, but if someone is only in your life to make you struggle in a way that doesn't bring you personal growth, they aren't needed in it. This is less of art advice and more existence advice, but communication is key in all that we do. Even in networking and building our artist communities. Communicate with them. You got this!
