08/11/2026
Written by our very own Kat. This happened in By the Ocean Art & Books, while she was working on her art.
Both Kat and I are pretty nice people and generous with allowing photos, when asked. We understand that you might want to show your mom or sister or friend to help make a decision. That's okay - we rarely turn this type of request down. But photos for theft - and stealing intellectual property IS theft - is another thing altogether. Plus reducing creativity, hard work and YEARS of skill to a forty - seven cent reprint is demeaning.
Show Kat some love and give her page a follow! By the Ocean Art & Books would not be the same without her. I wholeheartedly wish that I had been in the shop that day because Kat may not ever want to make a scene but I don't have a problem sticking up for her ā¤ļø
I would like to tell you about an incident . I was debating if I really wanna post it but I think itās necessary.
This is the interaction between three women that came into the shop two weeks ago. I will just name them L1,L2 and L3.
L1 stands in front of one of my paintings. Grabs her phone and does a close up of it.
L2: āThere is a sign not to take photos without permission.ā
L1: ā Well itās too late now. This is how I get my art work. I take photos, go home, crop them and print it at Staples. It cost me $0.47. Why would I pay full price?ā
L2 looks a little confused.
L3 who didnāt say anything looks rather embarrassed and looks in my direction.
L1 is totally unbothered and continues to stroll through the shop.
Iām literally a couple of feet away. Sitting there working on a painting. Listening to the whole conversation and honestly, Iām fuming. However, the shop is full of people and Iām not somebody who is causing a scene, even if it involves my work. All ladies leave after a while. L1 is cheery, L2 and L3 avoid any eye contact and just want to leave.
After they left I had to breath very deeply for a few moments. I was close to tears to be honest.
This incident went far beyond the usual comments we get. Most are āoh, I can do this cheaperā or ā Dollarstore has something similarā or ātake a photo and we can do it at homeā. Many of those while we are right there.
Personally I find these comments disrespectful and feel that my work, that I poor all my heart in, is being reduced to something that itās not. Itās not cheap or a public good. Even a smaller painting can take up to 12 hours to be finished. Hearing it being reduced to a $0.47 item is hurtful. Itās like going out there and tell a stranger that I can do their job a whole lot better for less pay. How would you feel? Not happy I assume.
I totally understand that not everybody can afford art. I get it. Thatās why I have always tried to keep my art as low priced as possible to make it accessible for everybody and I will continue to do so. While I know that most people would never do this and appreciate my art, itās the few (and unfortunately the amount of people doing this is growing) that leave a bitter taste.
Artists are normal people with a little different job. We take pride in what we do and hope to make the world a bit more colourful.
Rant over. I hope nobody feels offended. Itās merely to raise awareness that words and actions can hurt.
