This was a post i did on my website on 9-24-15. As far as I'm concerned those involved have deleted the posts, and I have been left alone.



9-24-15

This past weekend I was in artist alley at the wonderful Cincinnati Comic Expo. An Artist I will not name accused me of tracing my art work, using promotional material. I have not and do not trace my art work. I use reference and hand draw my art. This person has put out a post on this weekend and has said how sickened she was I was allowed to exhibit, as well as 4 other people she claims are tracers. Each piece i sell at shows I have worked on. Few are from when John and I first started doing comics before he passed away. Those that he drew the characters for I did the colors and layouts. After we had been hit by a Drunk Driver and he passed away I started teaching myself to draw, with the help of a couple friends who are way better artists than me.

This person, and her "friends" on a group on facebook have stated they have emailed Disney, Warner brothers and other shows saying I'm a tracer and are trying to not only get me in legal trouble but also banned from Comic cons.

How I found out? it started with an email, pretending to be from someone of authority threatening me if i ever did a show in Florida again with legal action. Then, in the same style of wording she posted in this group and others, most who were not at the show chimed in. I have copies of this thread. Some of the posts got very nasty and unwarranted and dealt not with me as an artist but what they decide I was and then entire thread is slanderous.

My only interaction with this person was when she took a photo of my booth. Despite what she says, i nicely asked if she had taked a photo and she said she had so I asked her to please delete as I dont allow them. In her blog post about the whole situation she created, she mentions my signs saying no pictures. This is the first show I ever put them up as many of my artist friends know, too many people would rather take a photo of the art and not buy it.

I"m going to close with this. Those that attack me online, I have many friends who know I do not steal art. Which is what she is saying by calling me a tracer. I'm publicly stating this. If you don't like me, like my art or don't agree with fan art you need to ignore it and concentrate on your own life. If you think someone has stolen art then report it to the person whose art it is. It is not your place to demand someone be removed from a show. Another point, Yes I'm a nice guy and my Mom gives hugs and that should not be something you should bad mouth online. Maybe you need a hug, if so come on by. Also, I call it my world tour as its about the world I'm in. Not about being in other countries. I have been doing this a long time, longer than this other person. I have published and worked on multiple comics and will continue to do so. The fan art I have created and sell is temporary as I have always stated to those that know me, I would prefer to make a living off of my comics.

Thats it, I'm done ranting. If you don't like me or the work I do, leave me alone and go on with your own lives.

-Brett