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Bad Guy AJ Dooley graphic design

A

ashtonlmitchell

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On January 21, I contacted AJ through facebook because I needed a logo design for my page Kaleidoscope Cresteds. I saw AJ had drawn up one of the most beautiful crested designs for Candice and wanted my own. I sent her 2 reference geckos that I wanted my logo drawn up to look like. On January 22 she sent me an example of my first option.

944155_4904131076231_1935963840_n.jpg


I wanted one to look like my pickles/my girl bubbles and one to look like my Mushu.. I told her I wanted ones like this and sent these pictures of both and in return was given these two.

7243_4904182397514_328021251_n.jpg


I was ecstatic when I got the return product, I told her I liked the blue eyes and was so happy. I have used the pink gecko (which I chose only to purchase) on everything! I used them on my Facebook, my personal web site for my geckos and my business cards as well as logo for my car and my banner for my table at shows!

944364_4904217238385_724423534_n.jpg


I have been cross processing, adding font, additional pictures and making my own things with this logo since I bought it and it was beautiful and mine.

Not the case. June 1, 2013 I was asked by two individuals to remove my artwork from my page and that it was stolen. I was shown a link where Parker's artwork was and sure enough.. same gecko.

http://styx-leagon.deviantart.com/art/Lavender-Pinstripe-Crested-Gecko-Dorsal-View-340083856

In order to prove further that this was the same gecko, an overlay was used of my paid for product on top of the original artwork.

7294_4904130236210_1048557725_n.jpg


I messaged Amanda Dooley and asked her why she would do this. I was told she did not and given two sketches to prove she did the original drawing. I would like for her to publicly tell her side of the story and explain what she feels necessary. Unfortunately, I don't feel any explanation is going to suffice. The pictures are pretty cut and dry and I know of others who she has done artwork for as well as publicly announced to sell this logo on Cafepress.

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=jzk14&s=5
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=2el8pjp&s=5

:censored:
 
Styx Parker is the original artist. I commissioned the said piece for use on my business page and as an original to hang on my wall. I own the original of this piece as well as permission to use it on my business page. I also have the line art that allows for recoloring.

I have never posted the scan for this image, so the only place they could have gotten a hold of it is Parker's deviant art page which has a watermark. I have never given permission to anyone to use the image. All additional hard copies I have were purchased through ordering a print off of Parker's DeviantArt page. It is possible they instead ordered a print then scanned it. Neither of these acts are legal.

Attached are the 4 pictures I had commissioned, as well as their backs to show I have the original inks. As you can see, the pic in the bottom left is the one mentioned above.
 

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I would like to additionally note, in the pink gecko above, it is blindingly obvious where she edited out the watermark - where the R crosses the edging, it is a thinner line.

Disgusting.
 
I really dislike art scammers :( It feels awful to get work you loved, only to find out it was a rip of someone else's banner/company logo.

Do you have a link to the person's facebook and any other places you spoke with them? E-mail addresses to avoid, etc.? A screenshot of the cafepress store where she's selling this design would be helpful proof of issues as well.
 
The fb link to the group doesn't work for me, may be a moderated/hidden group.

Googling that email address brought up http://talendooley.daportfolio.com/ as well.

This sucks for the folks involved though. As a sometimes-artist I know how rotten it feels to have your hard work and ideas stolen and sold.
 
Here are the relevant bits from that linked fb group where she takes complete credit for it
 

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Here is more evidence of her stealing the image and claiming it as her own.
 

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All of my current income is artwork, and only my artwork. If someone did something like this to me and thought they could get away with it... I'd virtually have their head on a silver platter! This is ridiculous! It makes me so angry just thinking about it!
 
aSnakeLovinBabe said:
All of my current income is artwork, and only my artwork. If someone did something like this to me and thought they could get away with it... I'd virtually have their head on a silver platter! This is ridiculous! It makes me so angry just thinking about it!
Click to expand...

I should probably clarify for those who take everything literally that this doesn't meant I would literally put their head on a silver plate. It's an expression for... I would blow their reputation clear our of the water.

:angry:
 
I am furious on so many levels. I am furious for the artist, for myself as the owner of the work and for the people who bought into this scam.

She charged people for work that wasn't hers. She claimed she created it as vector art. She claimed she produced it from a photo. She freaking posted it for more income on cafepress.

Now I also feel awful for Candice and Ashton who paid for this work. Now they are out whatever they paid for the banner AND any supplies they created with those artworks.

AND since it has taken me a good 5 months to catch on, they have lost some business recognition. This is hard to achieve.

This woman owes some money to some people at the least.
 
fortunately I do sculpture work so someone would have a pretty hard time just stealing my art and claiming it as their own. but wow... I can't even begin to say how angry this makes me.
 
First of all I want to apologize again to the OP for accusing her of stealing this artwork. I was very upset because the original artist is a close friend of mine.

Secondly, I am beyond furious at this AJ Dooley person. Sinking to the depths of stealing artwork, then selling it to unsuspecting customers as original work.

She should DEFINITELY be refunding you whatever you paid her. I wish there was a way to find out what profit she has made from Cafe Press too, so that those funds could be turned over to the REAL artist. Maybe they can be contacted for help with that.
 
I am the original artist and I never gave AJ Dooley permission to use any of my artwork for any purpose ever. The only person that has legal permission to use that gecko art is Maryanne. I contacted them via e-mail last night asking they remove the work from their website, which seems to have been taken down thankfully. The Cafepress store is still up, but I have contacte Cafepress to have my work removed.

AJ Dooley has stolen not only from Ashton, but myself, Maryanne, and who knows how many other people using my artwork.

This is a screencap from their website that has since been taken down, to show they are indeed the owner of said website:


This is their gallery, I have highlighted the stolen gecko thumbnails.


And, as if anyone needed any more proof, here is the stolen artwork from AJ Dooley and you can see my original coloring under their peach tinting.


It's terrible that AJ Dooley has been using my artwork, that I have spent hours upon hours on, and a lifetime refining the skills I use on my work, to scam people like Ashton. I hope this BOI enables everyone to avoid purchasing stolen artwork from her in the future.

-Parker
 
There is the issue of jurisdiction especially as the thief might not live in the same state as well as these stolen pieces being sold via online, but is there a way to press charges against the thief (AJ Dooley)? Pretty low if you ask me, I hope they get busted and pay people back the money owed. Stealing art is vile. Can the folks who paid her get refunded by disputing her charges as selling stolen goods?
 
Wow Ashton I am so sorry this happened. This is a terrible place to be in. Especially after you spent money on business cards and banners and such.. geeze. I hope everything works out and you get your money back.
 
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