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Problem With A Certain Artist
12 years ago
General
Oderint dum metuant
So, I'm back to this old chestnut again. Those of you who remember the issues I had with a previous popufur-artist a few years ago with no doubt find similarities with this new artist. Again, this artist will not be named but where the first artist was a 'popufur' this one is a POPUFUR and hence I want to avoid white knighting by people who have nothing better to do than defend the producers of their spank material.
I had commissioned this artist before AnthroCon to do a two character X-rated piece for a friend and I. I was elated to snag a slot. This artist is on my list of Must-Have-Commissions. I've had work by Peritian, Onta, and Sneakerfox and Tokifugi and this artist is the last on that list.
It was $80 up front with the promise the piece would be done prior to, or during, AC. No problem. As AC approached, I was told that the piece would be finished during the con, and if I could provide my cell number, the artist would contact me when they finish. Again, no problem. During AC I meet the artist, they say, FOR SURE, by the end of the con. They have 2 commissions left from the original batch and was saving mine and another's for last because our's was the smallest to do. Sure, I get it bud, just text me when you can.
AC comes and goes with no results. The first FA journal the artist posts states that they aren't taking commissions, or streaming, or doing anything until a few things are settled in their life first. Right...
Nearly 4 months later and I got nothing but a rough sketch (originally sent to me before AC). I sent this artist a note a few days after the con which STILL hasn't even been read. It's sitting in my Out Box marked as FA does to show it hasn't been open. And in this time, the artist has been streaming multiple times a month, bouncing back and forth between his mundane account and his fetish account. Now, I don't believe these streams are for commissioners, rather, for the artist's own stuff and for the furry porn site they belong to.
I don't want to start a ChargeBack via PayPal but it's an option that, I fear, I will end up having to use when the time comes. I plan on taking the correct approach and contacting this artist a few more times both through FA and their email. But my hopes aren't high.
And, for the love of god, if you know who I am talking about, keep that information to yourself. Don't mention the name of this artist, or the name of the pervious artist I've had issues with. I don't want to start a war, I'm only looking for some advice.
I had commissioned this artist before AnthroCon to do a two character X-rated piece for a friend and I. I was elated to snag a slot. This artist is on my list of Must-Have-Commissions. I've had work by Peritian, Onta, and Sneakerfox and Tokifugi and this artist is the last on that list.
It was $80 up front with the promise the piece would be done prior to, or during, AC. No problem. As AC approached, I was told that the piece would be finished during the con, and if I could provide my cell number, the artist would contact me when they finish. Again, no problem. During AC I meet the artist, they say, FOR SURE, by the end of the con. They have 2 commissions left from the original batch and was saving mine and another's for last because our's was the smallest to do. Sure, I get it bud, just text me when you can.
AC comes and goes with no results. The first FA journal the artist posts states that they aren't taking commissions, or streaming, or doing anything until a few things are settled in their life first. Right...
Nearly 4 months later and I got nothing but a rough sketch (originally sent to me before AC). I sent this artist a note a few days after the con which STILL hasn't even been read. It's sitting in my Out Box marked as FA does to show it hasn't been open. And in this time, the artist has been streaming multiple times a month, bouncing back and forth between his mundane account and his fetish account. Now, I don't believe these streams are for commissioners, rather, for the artist's own stuff and for the furry porn site they belong to.
I don't want to start a ChargeBack via PayPal but it's an option that, I fear, I will end up having to use when the time comes. I plan on taking the correct approach and contacting this artist a few more times both through FA and their email. But my hopes aren't high.
And, for the love of god, if you know who I am talking about, keep that information to yourself. Don't mention the name of this artist, or the name of the pervious artist I've had issues with. I don't want to start a war, I'm only looking for some advice.
Like I said, I can relate; They might have reasons for taking so long, and that's fine, but over time, they should have more of it done, or at least further along in progress of old work if they take on more commissions. It's pretty hard to be disciplined to get down freelance artwork, but it just sounds like they need to crack down a lil more, especially if they're doing it in part to get by.
It's one thing if you're being impatient and/or constantly riding an artist's ass to give you something. It's sad how often people forget that artists on sites like these are PEOPLE too and not just smut machines you toss money at. However, it's pretty apparently you've been nothing short of patient and respectful with the artist in question here, despite the fact he/she has been the polar opposite with you.
Unfortunately, once artists get popular enough, they can pretty much gain a monopoly on sites like FA. They don't have to worry about running out of interested parties, because let's face it, once an artist has established their name/style/whatever even remotely, there's always going to be SOMEONE willing to toss money at them without question. This means some of them take that popularity (and their clients) for granted, and even when they KNOW they're treating their customers poorly, it's one of those "your word against theirs" scenarios. Even if you take a "I'm never going to support this artist again" stance they'll be like "LOL okay bye I'm going to go back to the +19,000 other people watching me and pining for my work."
I think we all understand that everyone's personal lives take priority over most things that go on places like these, and artists are often prone to "blockage" or inspiration dry spells, et cetera, but sitting there and essentially telling people they've already taken money from "I'll get to it when I get to it" after already promising something more concrete ... well ... that's just plain douchebaggy.
Some artists will walk all over you if you let them, but it's a delicate balancing act trying to decide which ones you have to play hardball with to get anything out of, and which ones a more subtle and gradual approach is effective on.
I'm sure you already know most if not all of what I'm saying here, and speaking as someone who's still waiting for an animation commission I paid for in advance almost 2 years ago, I can certainly relate with your plight. -_-