Both are relatively rude. But what upsets me is the mindset behind not acknowledging an artist for their creativity, or not paying one for their hardwork. To simply pluck something from the Internet like you own it and use it however you want is pretty disrespectful.

I think the confusion about why it makes me upset might be due to a confusion about what it is I do. Artists like Audrey Kawasaki and Sylvia Ji get their work tattooed all the time, so why shouldn’t I be just as thrilled that people want to use my art in the same manner? The difference is: those artists depend on the sale of their original paintings and prints to make money. I’m a freelance designer — the money that flows into my account depends on people hiring/commissioning me to design custom artwork for them (illustrations, album art, logos, t-shirts, tattoo designs, etc). If people just take my work for free, then I can’t make a living. Just the same as a tattoo artist wouldn’t be thrilled for you to take their design to get tattooed by another artist, I’m not stoked to find someone else got paid to use my artwork and I got nada.

With all of that being said, after tattoos of my artwork started showing up, I did start getting quite a few requests to design custom artwork for individuals that wanted their own designs drawn up. And I appreciate those clients more than they know. They valued me enough as an artist to not only pay for my work and support me, but wanted to be able to boast of an original piece by me. For that reason, I’m not too bummed when I find my work stolen, because I know there’s a lot more people who value my art and support me.