Word of Warning to Other Artists

A day ago it was brought to my attention that the agency hired to maintain my site was up to some fairly illegal and shady practices. Without naming names, and once the settlements have been agreed upon, I'd like to use this opportunity to warn other artists about how important it is to look after your own business affairs and always look over everything being done in your name.

It has taken me a long time to build up my skills as both an artist and a member of the design community. On far too many occaisions I've had my own work stolen, seen the work of others stolen, and been involved in legal matters to the same effect. Eventually the work I produced allowed me take a step back and I decided to hire on people I thought I could trust to look after areas of my burgeoning business while I focused on the one that truly mattered, the painting.

I hired a very new and very skilled web content firm who were specifically working with artists worldwide providing them with content management for their websites, inventory, and archiving of all their works in digital format. The same company even offers services such as a giclee printing and artist marketing since in essence they'd be holding all the image collateral anyway.

Much to my own disappointment, I discovered that work supposedly photographed in "client locations" were images that had been stolen and "photoshopped." I shoulder the blame for not looking after my website myself these last 2 years and trusting the work of this company too easily. But this is a professional industry and business needs to be conducted as such. I have since had my legal team dismiss the agency and review all the work that was ever posted on my website. All of the digital materials regarding my work have been seized and reclaimed by myself. As part of the agreement, I have also requested that any company or service that feels duped by this agency also get paid restitutions. I cannot abide by such business practices and have demanded a public written apology sent to all my clients and contacts as well.

My name has been tainted and overnight people I thought I could trust professionally have ruined years of hard work and credibility.

To other artists, be careful who you do business with and be aware at all times who manages your work. For detailed information on the agency who brought about this issue, please send an email request to the contact address on the website. They do not deserve my business or that of my colleagues.