06/10/2025
This is a longer post than usual, but it's something that is weighing on me.
In the creative world, inspiration is a beautiful thing. We all draw ideas from the world around us, from nature, from experiences, and, yes, sometimes from other artists. But there’s a line between being inspired by someone’s work and outright copying it. And there’s an even clearer line between professional admiration and deliberate deception.
Recently, I discovered that someone who had once reached out to me with kindness and interest, someone who visited my work in person and engaged with me over time, had blocked me on social media. At first, I didn’t know why, but I quickly realized it was to quietly replicate my ideas and designs without my knowledge. Sadly, this isn't the first time this has happened. Someone else did the same a few years ago: asked questions, played friendly, then blocked me, only to reemerge with a very familiar-looking product line. (FYI: if you have a public social media account, you can’t truly hide your content from anyone.)
Let me be clear, I know ideas aren’t always unique, and similar concepts can develop in parallel. But what hurts is the obvious and intentional deceit, the pretending to build a relationship while hiding behind an ulterior motive.
As artists and creatives, we pour our time, energy, and souls into our work. When someone lifts those ideas, especially after engaging personally, it doesn’t just affect our business. It damages the trust we often extend to our fellow creatives.
Originality takes courage. It means risking failure, making mistakes, and trying again. But, it’s so much more honorable than succeeding through imitation.
To anyone reading this who is navigating a creative path: be inspired, yes, but create your own vision. Put your heart into your original ideas, not someone else’s. Support, don’t steal. It is possible to grow your art without stepping on someone else’s.
We rise by lifting each other up, not by quietly copying and undercutting our fellow creatives. Be well, my friends. 🙌
