Caveat Artifex by NetWorthy
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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
Description
The title is Latin for "Artist Beware". I recently received the following message in Rendo sitemail:
Hey, I saw your Artwork “Araneé: Kuila Makeover“ & I loved it. I think you should upload it and some of your other beautiful Artworks on Tallenge International Art contest with $500 prize. No registration fee to participate. Tallenge Art Contest Link http://bit.ly/ArtContest58 I hope you will definitely make use of this opportunity. Love & Regards -Ava
So I looked at the site and found this: - Yes, you can win a $500 prize! - No, you do not pay to register - There are no Internet ads on the site - Gee, how do they make the money for the $500 (no clues anywhere) - Gee, you've got to register before you get to read "the fine print" OK, I'm an old guy so my mental warning sirens were going off big time. I Google'd Tallenge and found ZERO people talking about their contest winnings, and scads of people saying "Don't do it." One of the artists who actually registered with Tallenge said the "contest rules" are in fact assigning the exclusive rights of all uploaded submissions to Tallenge for five years! By submitting to one of their contests, you are agreeing to this artistic rights contract and allowing Tallenge to use the submissions any way they want for five years - including making money from them. And since it is "exclusive" rights, legally YOU can't sell the rights or license them to that work of art during this period. To add insult to injury, they have the usual "held harmless" clause which in effect says they are not liable if somebody steals your work while in their care. Ugly business. After seeing this stuff, I looked at the info for the person who sent me the Rendo sitemail. They opened the account about a week ago - zero content in their gellery, uploads, friends list etc. MAYBE this is a legit website. Don't take my word for it, if you get one of these invitations, check it out yourself. But caveat artifex...
Image © by Larry Hodge
Hey, I saw your Artwork “Araneé: Kuila Makeover“ & I loved it. I think you should upload it and some of your other beautiful Artworks on Tallenge International Art contest with $500 prize. No registration fee to participate. Tallenge Art Contest Link http://bit.ly/ArtContest58 I hope you will definitely make use of this opportunity. Love & Regards -Ava
So I looked at the site and found this: - Yes, you can win a $500 prize! - No, you do not pay to register - There are no Internet ads on the site - Gee, how do they make the money for the $500 (no clues anywhere) - Gee, you've got to register before you get to read "the fine print" OK, I'm an old guy so my mental warning sirens were going off big time. I Google'd Tallenge and found ZERO people talking about their contest winnings, and scads of people saying "Don't do it." One of the artists who actually registered with Tallenge said the "contest rules" are in fact assigning the exclusive rights of all uploaded submissions to Tallenge for five years! By submitting to one of their contests, you are agreeing to this artistic rights contract and allowing Tallenge to use the submissions any way they want for five years - including making money from them. And since it is "exclusive" rights, legally YOU can't sell the rights or license them to that work of art during this period. To add insult to injury, they have the usual "held harmless" clause which in effect says they are not liable if somebody steals your work while in their care. Ugly business. After seeing this stuff, I looked at the info for the person who sent me the Rendo sitemail. They opened the account about a week ago - zero content in their gellery, uploads, friends list etc. MAYBE this is a legit website. Don't take my word for it, if you get one of these invitations, check it out yourself. But caveat artifex...
Image © by Larry Hodge

Comments (13)
Good image and great warning - it certainly sounds like some scam to me! almost like the Nigerian letter telling you that they wish to deposit X amount of dollars to your account..... this one is worse in my opinion - basically stealing your art for their gain and you let them do it by signing the agreement. Thanks for the head's up!
superbly composed scene and use of props/pose
Outstanding work on the lighting and setting for this one, Larry. Also thanks for the warning about the site.
Great scene! Love her expression. It looks like she is surprised by something she just opened. Nice details in the textures. I'm glad you're sirens were going off. Obviously with good reason. I have never heard of a legitimate site trolling for contestants, so it is well you did your research. It's really despicable the things that people do. You never know. You might visit a far off state or foreign country and see your work being sold as posters and you'd never know. At this point, I'm pretty free with my art, but I imagine if I ever catch someone that might change.
Lovely scene and character! I am certainly enjoying your work!
Glad you're warning signals went off! Sometimes it pays to be old and cynical ;) I speak from experience, lol Great image!
Really cool scene Larry well composed and rendered beautifully friend!!
Very very beautiful image, very well composed !!!
Ein sehr schöner Render
A delightful image, well composed - and thanks too for the warning, you were clearly right to be cautious!
Marvelous image and fantastic composition... It's an outstanding creation my friend... really OUTSTANDING !!!
Very realistic scene. I love the lighting!!!!
The lighting and tectures in this are excellent!