Revealing the Shocking Truth Behind the Scam Artist Selling Blank Canvases as Art

Avery Emberly

Updated Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at 12:00 AM CDT

In the world of art, creativity knows no bounds. Artists pour their hearts and souls into their creations, hoping to touch the lives of others and make a name for themselves. But what happens when someone takes advantage of this passion and uses it for their own deceitful gains? This is the story of a scam artist who duped unsuspecting buyers with empty promises and blank canvases.

In a now-infamous image that circulated on social media, we see a person standing proudly, holding a framed object at chest level. With a broad smile on their face, they present the decorative frame to the camera, seemingly br****** with confidence. But little did the buyers know, this framed object held nothing more than an empty canvas.

The text overlaid on the image reveals the scammer's intentions: "SHARING MY ART EVERYDAY UNTIL IT SELLS & CAN AFFORD RENT & NECESSITIES PT. 9." It appears that this individual was using social media platforms as a means to sell their supposed artwork, promising to share their art until they could afford their basic needs. However, it became clear that their intentions were far from genuine.

To attract buyers, the scam artist even offered a discount code, enticing potential victims with a 50% off deal when using the code 'MAR50.' This clever tactic aimed to create a sense of urgency and encourage immediate purchases. Little did the buyers know, they were about to fall victim to a well-crafted deception.

As the comments poured in, it became evident that many people had encountered this scam artist across various platforms. Some remembered the individual flooding Imgur and Reddit with their artwork, while others shared stories of being scammed themselves. It seemed that this person had mastered the art of manipulation, preying on the vulnerability and trust of art enthusiasts.

One commenter pointed out the telltale signs of a scam, stating, "Little artists (who can't pay the rent) usually have little followings. Anytime I see 10k+ reacts to a post, I assume it's either commercial art or a scam." This observation highlights the importance of researching and verifying the legitimacy of online art sellers before making any purchases.

The repercussions of this scam reached far beyond monetary loss. Real artists, who rely on selling their art to make a living, found their credibility undermined by the actions of this fraudulent individual. The trust between artists and buyers was shattered, making it increasingly difficult for genuine artists to gain the recognition and support they deserve.

In the face of this deceit, some individuals took it upon themselves to expose the scam artist. They united victims, compiled information, alerted authorities, and worked tirelessly to make their life difficult. However, the world of social media proved to be a haven for these scammers, who could easily switch ident***** and curate comments to maintain their facade.

It is important to remember that not all online artists are frauds. Countless talented individuals pour their hearts into their creations, hoping to share their passion with the world. To avoid falling victim to scams like these, consider purchasing art from trusted sources, such as local art universities or independent galleries. Supporting genuine artists ensures that their talent continues to thrive and flourish.

As for the victims of this scam artist, it is crucial not to lose faith in the art community as a whole. There are still remarkable artists out there, waiting to be discovered and appreciated. Let this be a cautionary tale, reminding us to exercise caution and skepticism in the online art world.

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View source: Imgur

Top Comments from Imgur

Chereazi

Yea, in today's world sadly I have to assume that all those posts are scams. That's also why I heavily support better social safety nets since govt has the means to determine who needs support, I don't and am just a potential easy victim for scammers.

CookieMonstersCrumbs

Interesting to learn. I remember him posting his stuff on imgur and I favorited several of the blue paintings and realized they were all repeats. Just went through my folders and those posts no longer exists it seems. Maybe he was found out and deleted his account.

th***anzmemez

He was pushing his stuff heavy on Reddit too. I try to only buy art if it’s physically in front of me or there are reviews from multiple people with photos of the art they’ve received. I’m sorry you were scammed OP. I hope you get your money back and it’s good you’re sharing your experience. There might be a fraud-alert type review website you can use so his hustle shows up in search results.

AdoraApplesauceMeowmeow

I remember this dude when he flooded Imgur with his "art" that is ugly AF, I never said a thing because hey, who gives a f*** about my opinion on an art piece if it's a bad one...damn, I wish I did. Sorry bud, turds like this make you want not to help anyone else, ruining every last drop of good there is in humanity

mrlowprofile

if it’s a scam, I wonder if it’s even that guy in the photos pulling it

realisticcarpainting

Okay that's just horribe.. I absolutely hate people like that, because he is giving a bad look at all of us who actually do art as a full time job and give everything for our customers. I hope you get your money back and get him

Eatsleeprun

Little artists (who can't pay the rent) usually have little followings. Anytime I see 10k+ reacts to a post I assume it's either commercial art or a scam.

DrNick

If it's been less than 6 months, call your bank and perform a chargeback.

CollinRubinstein

Also, this art is f***ing kitsch and I've been writing that under his posts until I got muted. It's some regurgitation of 90s "art" that you could find sold at every tourist trap. There is a s***load of legit artists trying to meet the ends needs, I'm sure you can find them through your local art uni or independent galleries. I highly recommend visiting those at least from time to time instead of buying something like *that*.

Mercurybird

I’ve been following this guy! I’m so shocked and disappointed. I loved his pours. The colors made my muddled brain light up (my brain responds to colors so this was a big deal). Even took an art class for this type of art. I had finally picked the one I wanted. Was genuinely saving up to purchase. Did he shop someone else’s art or just make his to churn the same pics to sell over and over? Must have made buttloads of $! I feel like this needs to be spread far and wide. +1 for awareness. 1/

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