Who Gives Kudos: ♠darkchild♠ (1) Tatz on the.. (1)

	WILDBEAR	I am familiar with and truly admire the quality of your work. I visited the posted link. It's obvious that this artist was stylistically influenced. The inspiration is undeniable. What about plagiarism? Say you have been plagiarized. The statement you make with your work is an extremely powerful one. Maybe it should be taken as the sincerest of all complements.     Posted by WILDBEAR on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 1:32 AM [Reply to this]

	Alan	hmmmmmmm   Posted by Alan on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 1:32 AM [Reply to this]

	BLOCK ROOTS bLOck roOTs	thats a trip man, a lot of times i see artwork that'll remind me of someone elses work, styles/colors etc., this stuff looks like you had a hand in it....straight up though it's only scratched the surface if it's some kinda carbon copy artist   Posted by BLOCK ROOTS on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 1:32 AM [Reply to this]

	Rose	Inferior plaguarism in my opinion   Posted by Rose on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 1:32 AM [Reply to this]

	☠ eRock ☆	I say influence, unless of course he copied one of your paintings... then thats plagiarism. Either way I think your stuff is better & I would be more inclined to look at your art for inspiration than that guys....   Posted by ☠ eRock ☆ on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 1:32 AM [Reply to this]

	Lady*Reni is Renee Castro	....I would be disappointed...seems plagiarized. Sorry about that. Just remind yourself that you were the first to do tattoo portraits. No one can do it better then you. There will always be biters- no matter how famous a person gets. Just remember that: .."Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery"-....Charles Caleb Colton.. But also: .."There is a hole at the end of the thief’s path"-.. ..Lakota tribe ......   Posted by Lady*Reni is Renee Castro on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 1:32 AM [Reply to this]

	Nerd Nerdacious Dork	Definitely plagiarism. It looks like your style and ideas but with another artist. He used your "painterly" quality with the idea of the tattoo portraits. I've seen other tattoo portraits, but they clearly have their own defined style to them. It just sucks someone is taking credit for a direct style you worked so hard to develop.   Posted by Nerd on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 1:32 AM [Reply to this]

	Tattoos By Max Egy Maxwell Egy	..The person's work looks heavily influenced by Shawn's process and imagry. As far as plagiarism of prexisting work, I don't think thats the case. Ya, it looks alot like Shawn's work, but the artist is not copying originals. It's almost like if an impressionist artist accussed another artist of plagiarism because he was working in the same style. It' a stylistic way of thinking, nothing more. And take Guy Aitchison for instance, think about all the artist that have been influenced by his school of thinking. Some have taken certain elements of his process and applyed them to there own interpretation, and others you can see it's just a regurgitation of someone elses ideas. So, if it is plagiarism, its plagiarism of someone's process and style, not prexsisting artwork...   Posted by Tattoos By Max Egy on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 1:32 AM [Reply to this]

	Vito Vito Saulytis	Wow, I guess that is the Question for that artist to answer, Sure looks like your either a major influence or hes straight up Biting your style and subject matter. Did he even ask or talk to you before he he did this stuff? I know if I was going to do something remotely like that Id ask the artist who influenced me for permission, or ask his advice for sure.   Posted by Vito on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 1:33 AM [Reply to this]

	THE MOST SADISTIC	Its influenced, but way way too similar to your theme and style. I'd fkn sue   Posted by THE MOST SADISTIC on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 1:33 AM [Reply to this]

	♠darkchild♠	is it a friend of yours??? do you know them??? i'm not sure of the whole situation... but their style definitely resembles yours... as an artist myself i do despise people like that... you know, the ones who can't create their own style... we all get influenced and inspired by others work... but come on, we gotta create our own personality through our work... and this person to me is just copying your personality... otherwise don't sweat it, we all know who the original bad-ass is!!! you homie!!! cheers, perry   Posted by ♠darkchild♠ on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 1:33 AM [Reply to this]

	Ragz T Rejected Ragz Rejected	I would say influence. However the artist is trying too much to emulate how you approach a portrait. I feel that the technique is not nearly as developed, that is most likely why they have not tried to develop a unique look.    Posted by Ragz T Rejected on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 1:33 AM [Reply to this]

	Atom ArtCore	personally i call that a straight rip off... i mean. he has all that other stuff in there thats decent. he didnt have to go that direction... just my 2 cents.   Posted by Atom ArtCore on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 1:33 AM [Reply to this]

	=LUIS=	its like he bootlegged your style.   Posted by =LUIS= on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 1:33 AM [Reply to this]

	Marty	Wow. It's so hard to say, because I feel (for example) like I wrote some of my favorite books that I've read. It looks very similar. Could have started off as inspiration that turned into plagiarism. I vote for the latter.   Posted by Marty on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 1:33 AM [Reply to this]

	Tattooed Geek Tattooed Geek	What do you think? Ican see it both ways, but they are not as good as yours. I look at these as just ok paintings. I see yours as Amazing works of art, also I look  at your painting and know they are yours. Your style is uncanny. Ok enough kissing up. Be well.   Posted by Tattooed Geek on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 1:34 AM [Reply to this]

	Ryan Ryan Flaherty	Dude is ripping off Odd Nerdrum too.  Weak.   Posted by Ryan on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 1:34 AM [Reply to this]

	jake of all trades Performance Photography	thats kinda fucked up.   Posted by jake of all trades Performance Photography on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 1:34 AM [Reply to this]

	charlie	i dont no its kind of a hard subject to quote on because it could be considered both, like they are tattooed portraits a very similar background technique but like plagerism like it would have to be your work exactly replicated and taken credit for, or to not even go as far as replicating it just say that the work is theres an take credit for it an so on wouldnt it? but like there not realy exact copies there just tattooed portraits, but again there very similar so they could be confused for each others work, but realy it just comes down to what this guy intended of his portraits an where his heading with them and what you think of them, what do you think of them?? do you think its a plagerism or a influence??   Posted by charlie on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 1:34 AM [Reply to this]

	TJ	well... the idea of painting tattoo portraits is not plagiarism.. especially with tattoos getting more and more poular, but the way this artist went about it is. What i really enjoy about your work is how they sometimes looks unfinished around the edges, the background really enhances the portrait without taking away from it, and gives me a little glimpse of the process it went through. this artist tried to mimic that idea but fell flat.   Posted by TJ on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 1:54 AM [Reply to this]

	**KATHRYN** Kathryn Carley	Plagiarized, he ripped off your style, even though the portraits are of different people, he used your style down to the surface. he ripped off your color, dripping back grounds, tattoo idea portraits, even the color/lighting of their skin is so similar.    Posted by **KATHRYN** on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 3:06 PM [Reply to this]

	Kristin	That's a tough one... Plagiarism isn't quite the word for it, but there's no originality.  A true artist is his own person, own style, with the appreciation of others work.  Obviously this person is a fan of your work, but doesn't know how to respect ..your ..work.  It seems this person has alot of talent but nothing to call their own.   Posted by Kristin on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 3:06 PM [Reply to this]

	KANDYMONSTER	you're better!   Posted by KANDYMONSTER on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 3:06 PM [Reply to this]

	izzy	i think that guy needs to get his ass kicked. i live in norway and i cant believe i havent been aware of him! as someone already said, its not that he paints tattooed people, its the style biting. i am an artist and tattoo apprentice myself, and that made me sick when i saw his paintings of bricks. odd nærdrum did exactly the same thing before him!!! what a disgrace! just look for yourself: http://www.nerdrum.com/works/still_lives/brick.jpg   Posted by izzy on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 3:06 PM [Reply to this]

	♥.:Luly:.♥ .:Luly:. Tà	..........o.O'............shit! You are still the best  ;)   Posted by ♥.:Luly:.♥ on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 3:06 PM [Reply to this]

	Tatz on the Red - Selkirk Manitoba Tatz OntheRed	Hi Shawn, I am thinking the keyword on this one is imitate. I definitely think he is trying to imitate your style of painting and in a subject matter you have mastered, the tattooed portrait. I would take it as a compliament, much the the masters of old would take the imitators of today. Maybe you should just drop him an e-mail with a friendly...you are welcome...in case he has not sent you a had the chance to thank you for providing masterpieces to imitate :) Cheers. Hope to see you in Calgary next year.   Posted by Tatz on the Red - Selkirk Manitoba on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 3:06 PM [Reply to this]

	Red Solar Skywaler Ya Dig	If this Fu didnt tell you you about his work or contacted you about how good you were FCUK him totally copying you man ..you're my rolemodel bro, i love tattooing and painting if i ever made a panting that looked half as good as yours id tell ya man .... ....this shit is like chinatown Bootleg .... ....your Stuff is wayyy better man ..   Posted by Red Solar Skywaler on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 3:06 PM [Reply to this]

	Gordon Gordon Combs	I like that you posted this because I don't think you were looking for an answer as much as you were wanting to start a discussion.  I agree that you can only take it as a compliment.  Clearly there are great similarities, but anyone comparing the two would be able to see the differences in styles and processes.  Borrowed ideas are an important part of art.  Sidenote: Chris Dingwell wrote a really good blog about this very issue within tattooing.   Posted by Gordon on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 3:07 PM [Reply to this]

	richard alan HAUGH	I feel sorry for the guy. Kinda like a Michael Jackson impersonator. He's good, but needs to find his own style and technique. He needs to be encouraged to find himself to become a great artist. Shawn, you are a great artist. He will always be behind you if he's riding your coat tails. ;)   Posted by richard alan HAUGH on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 3:07 PM [Reply to this]

	Gina @ Studio 2 Tattoo	Well taking an idea and putting your own twist in it is one thing. But in my honest opinion I think that the execution of these paintings are too similar for comfort.   Posted by Gina @ Studio 2 Tattoo on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 3:07 PM [Reply to this]

	(Malum Clothing)JOEY TOE TAGS Joey Muldrew	I agree with Atom ArtCore. The guy is definitely talented. But straight up he went from conceptual, to realism to Shawn Barberism. That's right, you have your own style and it's called Shawn Barberism or just Barberism for short. You have a book out there titled Tattooed Portraits. His headline is Tattoo portraits. I'm going to start a clothing line called Sullener and commission you for some designs for my t-shirts cause I want to be original.   Posted by (Malum Clothing)JOEY TOE TAGS on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 3:08 PM [Reply to this]

	john kurse wastelandwarbastard	..Plagiarism.., as defined in the 1995 ..Random House Compact Unabridged Dictionary.., is the "use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one's own original work..    make your own assumptions, both very talented artists however in the creativity aspect i think it is obvious.    Posted by john kurse wastelandwarbastard on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 7:49 PM [Reply to this]

	LOETZ Branden Loetz	Completely influenced, that's sad. You know if he truly was inspired to illustrate and paint models with tattoos you think he would have tried a new approach to the subject instead of the feeble attempt to mimic your style. Maybe through this process of learning he will discover something original and new in himself to contribute to the art world.   Posted by LOETZ on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 7:49 PM [Reply to this]

	omar	Clearly a rip off, it has not been long enough to simply be considered influenced or to be flattering whatsoever. There isn't a hint of originality, he has taken exactly what you do and simply executed it improperly, at least he hasn't ripped off your ability to render vibrancy or properly mix pigments.   Posted by omar on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 7:50 PM [Reply to this]

	miles Miles Rene	HAHAHA. He cant come close to your style. But he's trying.   Posted by miles on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 8:30 PM [Reply to this]

	Jayme Jayme Whitaker	To be honest with you, first time I saw your work it reminded me of some work that Helen Barber had done and had done back in the late 90's. Your style is more photo-realistic but the concept and framework is very similiar. It didnt mean i didnt truly appreciate your AMAZING work and the true talent you have. Helen and your work arent really in the same category, in this fashion youve taken it to a new level but there still is a certain similarity. Youve truly given me a deeper glimpse into the realm of the portrait and I have a deep appreciation for anyone knocking down walls. This guy obviously has an amount of skill (although I would say he is a big fan of your work), he hasnt captured what you do. Is his work a copy or influenced? I would say maybe a little of both and a lot of the latter. Does ti make it bad? Maybe in origality but ot does take a certain amount of love ans skill to do this work, as you well know. Maybe he's learning and using you as a spring board. Maybe he's following your lead and trying to find yoru sinpiration and levity. Maybe one day he will rise above us all and quote you as someone who inspired him to greatness. Bottom line, we all serve the same mistress of art and she is unforgiving and coarse. Not to be overdramatic. Either way I would shrug it off as a compliment as the gentlemen said below, the ultimate complimet and leave it at that. part of the business and the cost for the Godess of Art to bestow such acheivement on you. Its a heavy price to pay for something so intimate and personal but then again, we cant have everythig. RIght? If I used it as anything, it would be as a call or warning of some sorts that its time to step up the intensity and once again....take your art to a new level and knock down walls. Really admire your work and your zeal for tattos.   Posted by Jayme on Wednesday, September 02, 2009 - 3:36 AM [Reply to this]

	Brock Brock Beeso	Influence for sure, almost every other artist is influenced by someone who came before him, unless he straight out referenced a painting of yours or pose. You cant copyright a subject matter? Personally im a insane fan of your work and you are probably the biggest influence on me. therefore  its only natural to see your influence through my work. but its 110% original? no?   Posted by Brock on Wednesday, September 02, 2009 - 2:35 PM [Reply to this]

	blitz5567	...Plagiarism....kinda....   Posted by blitz5567 on Wednesday, September 02, 2009 - 6:44 PM [Reply to this]

	Le loucheur	Style biting, probably, but plagiarism?  Your work is clearly, vastly superior...but if I were to paint a flower, would I be plagiarizing Georgia Okeefe?  If I painted a skull, would I be plagiarizing over half the people I've seen in Juxtapoz over the last 5 years?  You do it best, so you're the big dog, and if the little guys are yapping at your heels, then let them yap.   Posted by Le loucheur on Monday, September 07, 2009 - 1:32 AM [Reply to this]

	Joe Joe Tricomi	at first, i was thinking "come on...its prolly just a painting of some guy with a tattoo"...but yeah that's pretty strong plagiarism....right down to the runny drippy background vignettes... ...however, i know of a student here at ringling who was supposedly harassed by you because he did a picture of a girl who happened to have a tattoo...and his dude's style is nothing like yours...which is why i was hesitant at first...but yeah..this guy is a little toooooooo generous with the influencing   Posted by Joe on Monday, September 07, 2009 - 1:32 AM [Reply to this]

	Egg - Sullen Clothing PR Chris Egger	It is obviously a straight bite on your style...you should be pissed... ....It is one thing to draw inspiration and influence from the work of an artist, totally another to directly copy and emulate style and technique, then promote the result as if you developed a unique vision....... ....There is always the first and best, then the rest. Don't let em' grind you down. ..   Posted by Egg - Sullen Clothing PR on Monday, September 07, 2009 - 1:32 AM [Reply to this]

	DeRosa alex derosa-ruquet	that is deffinetlty plagiarism. In no way shape or form is there influence, the only influence is to do YOUR style of artwork.   Posted by DeRosa on Friday, September 11, 2009 - 5:31 AM [Reply to this]

	Darkfish Inkover Luv	Amazing how the using of internet can be so tricky, but, how do i post an art site without the sensiblity of researching for other clost kind art of my posts, i give my example above, still, im a desaster on english, but is not dificult to type tattoo art/portraits/sketches/development/projects/designs/draws/Artists on google. - plagiarism, definetly. .... i.e. ..http://darkfishstudio.deviantart.com/art/Marvelous-Pit-76432233.. <--that's not a portrait for sure, and i know ur work (as ur style clearly) for more then a year or two ;) thus, i repeat; i'm a noob on the area; but we all should know and agree with something i think useful, - ..get familiar with worldest most popular art activity.. (at least, when using Internet work promotion enviroment) - ..expanding ourselfs to get that reflected kind of "influence", its at minimum, a total doom. and an untastefully triumph... This is my humble opinion.   Posted by Darkfish on Saturday, September 12, 2009 - 5:43 AM [Reply to this]

	ART NGUYEN	it is influence you should be flattered.  look at the bright side the other artists compostion is very boring and and there is no real movement in any of the poses.  To top that all off the proportions on the faces are terrible.  So you are still the best no worries   Posted by ART NGUYEN on Wednesday, September 30, 2009 - 1:20 PM [Reply to this]

	DAVE UNDEAD David Olteanu	speaking from the point of view of a person who has spent 9 years in the tattoo industry this is a tricky subject, looking at old influences such as sailor jerry who's style has been down right copied for years to new artists such as nikko, devries and lu lips, the question of plagiarism or influence can be a hard one to tackle. i absolutely love shawn barbers work, in fact i've taken up oils because of how blown away by his work, now i also do tattoo portraits(not that i call them that) because my wife and 99% of the people i know are heavily tattooed, so you have to separate subject from style. so with this artist i think the subject matter is the same and the styles similar but you put the two side by side and the differences punch you right in the face.  does he appreciate mr barbers style? obviously. can they be compared? no. but i will say, like i have done myself some times you have to stop looking at your favourite influences and just go it on your own.   Posted by DAVE UNDEAD on Tuesday, October 06, 2009 - 6:51 PM [Reply to this]

	Chelsea D.	Plagiarism. It's obvious because they look like a "paint in the style of" art school assignment. And just like a student it was forced and therefore less successful than the original.   Posted by Chelsea D. on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 - 1:35 AM [Reply to this]

	Agape kristian keys	looking at the other artist's work its clear that "yes" he has  similar media that he had chosen to use, or subject matter really. but that in no way means he plagiarized Shawn's work. Ideally they both have taken what culture has given them and used that for inspiration. Tattoo culture is infamous right now, and has increased in it's popularity, the other artist hasn't taken Shawn's paintings and duplicated he as merely taken what he knows and has painted it. different people, different tattoos, and the style that both artists use are clearly different. Even that maybe Shawn is his inspiration, and he has taken what one great artist has done, and applied it to create something also very beautiful.   Posted by Agape on Saturday, October 24, 2009 - 3:47 AM [Reply to this]