Robert Ryan -Electric Tattoo- N.J. Done at San Francisco Tattoo Convention 2012
Robert Ryan- Electric Tattoo-N.J. Done @ Temple Tattoo Oakland 2012
“The internet is a big, vast, open space with infinite information, and accidents happen.”
That is what Juxtapoz Magazine told me in regards to them lifting portions of interviews I wrote for Swallows & Daggers and using my content on their official website.
I worked very hard and put a lot of time into seeking out artists and conducting thorough interviews for Swallows & Daggers.
As thrilled as I am that these artists whom I respect have gotten even more press through a major platform like Juxtapoz, I am profoundly troubled by Juxtapoz Magzine’s trend of stealing. It wasn’t only my work they took but also work from other Swallows & Daggers contributors. I was not commissioned by Juxtapoz to travel and do these interviews. I did them for Swallows & Daggers.
In some cases Juxtapoz stole artist quotes, in other cases they stole direct quotes from the writer. They used the same pictures we posted. All this from an internationally respected magazine.
When I found out about this I contacted Juxtapoz directly. Although they eventually gave me credit (after a lot of trivial explanations) they have yet to give credit to other contributors.
We work out of love and admiration for the artists we write about. Because I believe the artists we cover deserve the attention. And Swallows & Daggers is a great platform to showcase these artist’s work. Juxtapoz has the funding to pay their own writers to do the work themselves. I told Juxtapoz, “if you think my work is worth stealing then you should hire me.”
As thrilled as I am that these artists whom I respect have gotten even more press through a major platform like Juxtapoz, I am profoundly troubled by Juxtapoz Magzine’s trend of stealing. It wasn’t only my work they took but also work from other Swallows & Daggers contributors. I was not commissioned by Juxtapoz to travel and do these interviews. I did them for Swallows & Daggers.
In some cases Juxtapoz stole artist quotes, in other cases they stole direct quotes from the writer. They used the same pictures we posted. All this from an internationally respected magazine.
When I found out about this I contacted Juxtapoz directly. Although they eventually gave me credit (after a lot of trivial explanations) they have yet to give credit to other contributors.
We work out of love and admiration for the artists we write about. Because I believe the artists we cover deserve the attention. And Swallows & Daggers is a great platform to showcase these artist’s work. Juxtapoz has the funding to pay their own writers to do the work themselves. I told Juxtapoz, “if you think my work is worth stealing then you should hire me.”
They replied and asked me to pitch some ideas. So I pitched to them an idea about a certain artist. After I pitched the idea they never replied back. They never addressed the issue of giving the other Swallows writer’s credit either. Then they featured the artist I pitched to them.
I understand the internet is a “vast” place and it is without a doubt filled with mistakes. However, there is a proper etiquette when using material that is not yours. You give credit where credit is due. Especially when it is being used on a major website of a major magazine.
If that wasn’t enough, Cian David Wright, the head of Swallows & Daggers had also been in contact with Juxtapoz’s Editor-in-Chief, Evan Pricco. Cian tried to handle things amicably. Evan Pricco then forwarded Cian’s emails to one of his staff members and asked her to take over the conversation. When the staffer emailed Cian she forgot to delete all the previous CC’d messages.
An example:
On Mon, Nov 5, 2012 at 8:34 AM, Evan Pricco <epricco@gmail.com> wrote:
can you deal with this dude? he is annoying.
Before you pick up another Juxtapoz Magazine or visit their website consider the integrity of their staff. Juxtapoz consists of a staff with financial support yet has no problem robbing from those who aren’t as funded. From those who work hard to one day work for a magazine with that much reach.
Please, email Evan Pricco @ epricco@gmail.com and congratulate him on a job well done.
Saturday / October 20 /
7 pm
Fall Collective Art Show @ Graceland Tattoo
2648 East Main St.
Wappingers Falls, NY 12590
I’m honored to have my own stuff hanging up with all the great and unique work my friend’s have been creating.
Come party with us on October 20th @ 7pm at Graceland Tattoo.
Please join us @ Graceland Tattoo on October 14 for the Tattooing to Save Babies charity event.
All money earned will benefit the March of Dimes.
Tattooing to Save Babies is a great cause founded by tattoo artist Krooked Ken. He says, “as parents to two premature children the March of Dimes has been an amazing source of strength and support for our family. They continue to fund and find amazing ways to save a child that has been born too soon.”
Each artist at Graceland Tattoo has painted designs specifically for the charity to be tattooed on October 14th. All tattoos will range from $50-$100.
We will also be raffling off gift certificates as well as hand made items from the Sunny Side Specialty Shop.
The March of Dimes will use your donations to continue to help premature children and their families.
We are honored to take part in such an important charity and hope you are too.
Graceland Tattoo
2648 E. Main St.
Wappingers Falls, NY
12590
Julian Louis doing the outline to a sugar skull/stormtrooper tattoo.
He’ll be with us at Graceland through Saturday, July 28th.
Available Online NOW!! www.respect-tradition.com
Check out the Swallows n Daggers store online.
Gonna cop one of these myself.
www.respect-tradition.com
www.swallowsndaggers.net
I put up some pictures from some of my favorite artists that attended last weeks Roc City Tattoo Expo in Rochester, New York on Swallows & Daggers.
Check them out HERE.
The Roc City Expo is hosted by the crew at Love Hate Tattoo.
It was another weekend of debauchery.
And I was lucky enough to get another JR Tubbs tattoo.
Oh, and at 3am in our hotel room we found out that at the bottom of my jar of blueberry moonshine there was a pile of actual blueberries.
More pics to come.
