How you spot a Rookie Artist.

You can always spot a rookie artist.
They’re the ones who cry, “Someone stole my idea!”
It’s funny, honestly.

Stole your idea?
Isn’t that what great artists do? Steal?

There’s even a phrase we all know:
“Bad artists copy. Great artists steal.”
And it’s true.

When you’ve been making art for over a decade, you start to see it. The patterns. The overlaps. The coincidences. It’s not always theft—it’s the nature of creativity.

Everyone’s had that moment: you think of something, don’t act on it, and suddenly someone else brings it to life.
Ideas are spiritual. God sends them out like radio waves—whoever acts on it first, wins. That’s life. That’s art.

So when I see an artist complaining about someone “stealing their idea,” I know: rookie behavior.

But let’s not be naive—sometimes, it is blatant copying. And that’s where things shift.
It’s no longer homage. It’s not even flattering.
It becomes lazy. Bland. Annoying.

I’ve seen a few artists copy my work stroke for stroke.
Exhibit it.
Sell it.
Some collectors even assumed I was the one copying them. Imagine that.

Still, I let it go.
In my head, I told myself: They’re paying homage. Great artists steal. Whatever.

“Midi! This is blatant. You need to say something!”
I’ve heard it from friends. Collectors. Even fellow artists.
And most times, I don’t care.

But this time?

Lawyers are involved.

They hear lies for a living. That’s their job—cross-examinations, contracts, courtroom games.
They’ve seen every trick in the book.
So when they tell me something’s off, I listen.
They’re not moved by emotions or stories—they’re trained to see through people.
God bless them.

So if you ever see my name pop up in a court case or headline, just know—my lawyers wouldn’t let me get robbed.

I’ve let a lot slide.
Enough that people started assuming I’m soft. That I’ll settle cheap. That I’ll stay quiet.

I won’t.

If a brand or artist blatantly copies me, I’m calling it out.
I’m doing what the Lawyers have been telling me to do.
Being called rookie won’t bother me, at all.