Yes, i am an artist but i also order commissions. I find it INSUFFERABLE that artists will get money for commissions, not offer an estimated time to finish than take their sweet time to finish the work. I KNOW life happens, i do, but i also know from a business perspective, an artist is offering you a service, and with that service comes an assurance that you will do their work in a timely manor. I have have asked for art before and waited OVER A YEAR, with updates that said, "going to catch up soon" or "i just need a bit longer but i can refund you if you want now," then in the end, they turn around and just say "sorry i just need to refund you" a year to several months later. THIS ISN'T ACCEPTABLE!!!! You want to be a professional artist, then act like one, give an ETA on when something will be finished, if shit gets in the way, contact the person a few days before its due and tell them, "sorry i need more time, will be done by this date unless you want a refund." and if you have to push bad the deadline again, well then, refund their money. Clearly you don't have time for that commission

ALSO, stop taking commissions when you're backed up, haven't finished what people have ordered. I think all artists could use a little business 101 if you ask me and maybe some manors.

I have heard artists complain about those who order their commissions, talk about manors yet i have yet to see a single post about the proper procedures of what a commissioner expect from the artist they're getting their work from. As a commissioner you do have rights, you are allowed to ask for a deadline, allowed to be upset when that date isn't met. so many people who order art have been trained to just "accept" that artists are all slackers and can take months to finish a picture that took them a day to do, or for some, maybe a week depending on the work. but the point is, you paid for that commission, you wouldn't just let a musician skip playing at your wedding because they weren't "in the mood" to play.

anyway, this has been bothering me for awhile, i just needed to let it be said.