One would find it hard to observe a “wannabee” objectively without noticing the obvious lies that lace their impeccably candied statements of grandeur and generic acts. For those who are honest and passionate about certain things, running across a (“wannabee”: one who poses to be like them) can be somewhat uncomfortable or outright frustrating.
In the effect that the poser is in some “competition” with you(whether it be personal or professional), they attempt to attack every statement or action you make, mimick everything you say and do, THEN twist it around like it was theirs. A copycat, fraud, fake, wannabee…however you choose to describe one who desires to do or have what their object/person has/does. They make proclaimations of originality, perfection, and singularity and pen themselves against “the world that is against them”, all the while making it harder and harder to be sincere and believeable in anything they say or do. This is when being a poser becomes serious.
When they see their so called “competition” rising above the miry pit (they have created for them), they cry for another fall, writhe about their infamous basket of plots, and come up with more accusations, more “unique” representations of themself, and once again attempt to state perfect individualism.
They pose themselves above the race, grabbing the hearts and minds of those who might fall for their sinewy plots of vengefulness and cruelty. They try to get “ahead” of the competition before anything can be said of them…before the truth about them comes out. They will pour forth lie after lie and facade after facade. They will conduct themselves in so many different personalities, that its hard to determine which one is them. They are the kind that go from being a conservative to liberal, from down to earth to bull headed, from preppy to goth….. and so on. You get the picture. They parade themselves as “real”, and if they are lucky, they convince some.
Filed under: Art & Illustration, Pop Culture, reflection | Tagged: art, business, copycats, flattery, natasha wescoat
I’d like to engage on this, but you’re a little too elliptical. I’m not getting a grip.
Funny you say that. Someone else said that too. Elliptical is not a term everyone uses. Also – the post is a commentary on copycats and their nature. Has nothing to do with me or my life. It’s about what they are and what they do.
On the topic of copycat.
I have a question for you Natasha… do you license your work? I was in Home Sense today and saw Gallery wrapped Canvas Prints of paintings that looked identical to your style… the trees, the circles, the dashes of paint… colors… everything but your signature… they were unsigned. They had 4 different styles and I didn’t see any company name on these either. I took pics on my DH’s phone if you are curious…
The positive thing is that real fans of your work will see paintings like this and think… hey that looks identical to a Natasha Wescoat and be turned off of the fake.
Ps. Interesting thoughts, I would have to agree as I have met quite a few “soulless” People and what really scares me is who they really are and if they even know?
Hi Meaghan!
Oh yes! I license my work indeed. It’s probably in there. My art is going all over the place now. I’ve had tons of responses from friends who’ve seen them in stores.
Ok silly me, I see above that you do indeed license! (insert red face here) When one’s work is licensed is the signature not left on?
Depends on the artwork probably. I can’t remember how I signed each one! haha
Sounds like you’re describing your typical malignant narcissist. The delusions of grandeur, the need for admiration, the obsession with image (while the soul starves), the envy of anybody who has what they don’t but feel is their natural birthright, the venom, the scheming, etc. etc…
And you’re right. They are total poseurs. All they know how to do is imitate, simulate, pretend to be what they are not; there is no ‘there’ there, no real personhood, no empathy, no caring….And they’re paranoid. They believe that the rest of us are just as secretly mean-spirited and vicious as they are, so they want to ‘get’ us before we ‘get’ them…or expose them.
The only thing you can do with a malignant narcissist is keep your distance.
I think it’s important to project a professional and positive image, and not complain so much about what other people are doing. Posting the negative comments (which you have repeatedly done) does not reflect positively on you as an artist or a businesswoman. Instead, you have made yourself appear to be an inexperienced marketer, holding on to whatever 5 minutes of fame you have acquired.
If you find something you do not like, you have the perfect opportunity to turn the situation around and say positive things. It takes years to gain respect and a second to lose it. Think about it. The more you spew your negative thoughts comments on your blog (and Twitter), and the more you try and put yourself up on a pedestal that seems to make you some sort of untouchable unique being, the less respect you will get.
Imitation, as it has been said, is the greatest form of flattery. Embrace that instead of complaining about it. Sooner or later, all this complaining about what everyone else is doing will catch up with you and hurt you. No one likes a whiner. It’s boring.
If you actually do have the raw natural and original talent that you claim to have, then just focus on that. This whole thing is ridiculous and frankly, I’m embarrassed for you that you found it necessary to publicize your immaturity. If you want to set a good example, start by acting like a leader. Good luck.
oh interesting that I riled someone up over something I wrote years ago, and reposted here. Even more interesting is that not one time in this post do I mention anything of myself. Clearly you have something to fire off about. Glad to get such a rise out of you.
kthxbai.
That’s very true. Great comment!
Why don’t you cite any specific examples of the copycat in question. If someone was legitimately copying your work, then it would be in your right to call it out, right? You list no example and do nothing to backup your accusations. I’m curious who could possibly be copying what appear to be some circles and tree branches. Have you copyrighted circles and branches?
As Dave Doolin said: You’re a little too elliptical. Elliptical indeed. You talk in circles and never really say anything. Your post is a rant, not constructive commentary.
I don’t cite any examples because it’s about the nature of a copycat. A reflection on the subject. It’s not about a specific person or situation.
You didn’t write this post years ago. You posted it on Dececember 7, 2009. You didn’t need to refer to yourself in this post because in most of your commentary, you are always saying how people are copying you. It’s called transparency.
You didn’t get a rise out of me. I was merely responding to a post that you have on the [public] internet. When you post things online, you invite comments and I’m just telling you what I see in you. You’re transparent. You have commented so often that you think people are out there imitating and/or copying you.
Get over yourself, Natasha. YOU are the narcissist. If you don’t want people to comment on your posts, then don’t allow them to reply. If you think everyone is always going to love you and your work, you’re are sadly mistaken.
HAHA, um yeah, actually I did. Like most of the other posts I reposted from an old journal. Thoughts and reflections. Those other ones were dated on top so people knew but I must have missed this one. Thankyou for pointing that out for me. I need to go fix that.
And yes, I gladly welcome your response. But I have to ask AGAIN, WHERE on this post do you see me talking about myself or someone copying me? This is a commentary on how copycats and leeches work. Nothing of it has to do with any previous statement I may have made regarding someone copying mine. Could you point me to the statement where I say someone is copying me? Or you just making generalized accusations?
Also, thankyou. I am over myself. I enjoy sharing my experiences on the web as an artist, because there are so many who want to understand other’s experiences, and maybe whatever experience I may have attained in the last 5 years, I can help share with others. Because they deserve to succeed and make the way for their work the best they can. If they really believe in their work.
I gladly welcome your comments. Thankyou!
Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a personality disorder defined as “a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and a lack of empathy.”
The narcissist is described as being excessively preoccupied with issues of personal adequacy, power, and prestige. Narcissistic personality disorder is closely linked to self-centeredness.
Sound like anyone you know?
yeah, my ex boyfriend, and Patrick Bateman. American Psycho is one of my favorite movies EVER.
RUKiddingMe – schadenfreude much? You seem more worked up over this than Natasha, and for what? A little social commentary that you don’t agree with? There’s nothing in her article that implies that she’s talking about herself or someone who copied her. It’s nothing more than OpEd piece, not a rant against any one person. I don’t necessarily agree with everything Natasha says, but I don’t think there was anything in this post worthy of the retort she got from you.
I honestly can’t for the life of me figure why you would be taking this so personally. And before you say you’re not taking it personally, ask yourself why you’re spending so much time trying to shut Natasha down over it. This is her blog and she can say whatever the hell she wants, and really, this post is relatively tame compared to radical sentiments posted on other blogs all around the web, yet you’ve taken this one on as your personal crusade.
You’re getting down on her about supposed “negative comments”, but I’m not seeing a whole lot of positivity or constructive criticism in any of your responses here either. In fact, the tone of your statements come off as you just want to beat her up because she shares a contrary opinion to your own. At the end of the day, she blows you off and you’ve achieved nothing. Was it really worth your time? I can’t imagine it was
Finally, in the future, before you make hyperbolic comments like “whatever 5 minutes of fame you have acquired”, you might want to do a little more research. Natasha’s “5 minutes” have lasted a VERY long time with no signs of expiring any time soon.
Said well, Dave.
Tx for clearing that up for me Natasha! On another note *cough* things seemed to have gotten ugly over here….you handled it well.
I smell a troll….sniff…sniff…EWWwwwwwww!
ahah I know!