So when you guys are plotting out your next tattoo, what do you do when you stumble upon an image that is like EXACTLY what you want to get?

You probably right click, save-as, right? Then you print 'er out and trot on down to your tattooist and declare you would like that image permanently inscribed into your skin in an area of your choosing.

But what do you do when it's obviously someone's artwork? And their signature is embedded within the image itself? Do you see if you can contact the artist? Or do you just print it out anyways, get the signature removed from it, and tattoo it on?

I'm asking this because I happen to be an art student enrolled in a university program for a degree in illustration. I don't have a name out in the world, only a small gathering of people know of me and my art, and I'm basically broke as dirt and partially in debt. I do occasional freelance when asked, and I'm very generous with my art all-in-all.

So how do you think I feel when I find that someone has gotten a tattoo of a piece of my artwork on them without my prior knowledge?

Flattered? Maybe, but not really. You would think so, right? While it's always AWESOME when people enjoy my art, it's never appreciated when my art is taken from me. By 'taken', I mean used without my permission, and the blatant removal of my signature, which is basically my stamp of copyright. Also the fact that someone made personal financial gain without my knowledge sucks too.

Mostly all because if I had just received a simple email asking about the art in question, 99.9% would be that I'd offer to make any modifications to suit their needs, as long as the credit would still be given to me for the original artwork.


http://www.bodymod.org/profiles/profile.aspx?ID=169536


http://blatantvomitory.deviantart.com/art/Rastaquouere-126524996

Yes I know this is the internet, yes I know that [insert other artist here] has had their artwork used as tattoos before without their knowledge. But normally those artists are well known and recognized for their art. You see something and instantly connect it with the artist, or upon asked, "Did you draw that?" the person would most likely answer "Nah, [artist] did."

All attempts of trying to be witty with variations of "welcome to the internet/you're on the internet" are useless.

Like, I have a tattoo on the back of my neck that I found on DA. But I messaged the dude first and he was basically, "Go for it, but I just want a picture of the tattoo", since it was a tattoo design.

weaksauce...really weak...

Originally posted by wormbuffet Yeah, the tattoo was really poorly done. that girl should really fess up and give you some acknowledgment or pay you in some way. what a douche

Judging by the quality of the tattoo, they don't have the money to pay for the design.

Originally posted by belle .  so just to be devils advicate here.....but see any simalarites???? and take some justice to know her tattoo is badly done.

not really any similarities other than there's a red balloon..