Note them, asking how the piece is coming along, what the eta is etc. If they say they've been busy or what not you can always try to request a refund.

I've done that before from time to time, with mixed results. I do hate to ask for refunds, but when it gets to the point where I feel like I'm getting ignored completely, sometimes I think it might just be necessary. I think I may note them again, in some cases. In others, I know they can't work on it now because of broken equipment. :P But yeah, I think I may have to do that. :P

Was in the same boat, and after awhile I start to think 'the money at this point would be more beneficial than the art'.

No offense to the artist, and I don't mean to be rude to them if they themselves are in a financial bind(I'm lenient to this), but ...sometimes just have to let it go.

It made me feel terrible getting my first refund, it really did, but like I said, the money at this point would make me happier than the art, but I'll still support them.

tl;dr, It's up to you, whether or not waiting a bit longer~^^

Yeah, I do hate to ask for a refund, especially in the cases where they're short on money, but when it feels like they're just ignoring me, that's when I get frustrated. I do intend to message some of them about what they plan on it.
I've had to ask for a refund before, and in that case, it prompted the artist to actually start and do my pic.
I'll message them all and ask them about their plans. :P

I dunno, I waited a good long 9 months for one piece of art (frankly I don't want to buy from them again, but I found out that everyone has been treated the very same way with that one)
Since that particular one was never closing for commishes and had no queue visible to check to see if it'd come soon. So oh well.

Might as well just keep on waitin', and pestering the crap out of them for it. xD They'll have to work on it eventually x]

Do it

IMO don't intentionally be a dick too early on. Get some information about the art's status, find out what's going on, put some pressure on them.

Now, if it turns out that they don't need the money due to the circumstances, definitely get over the shyness and straight up ask for your money back. Mention that you feel that the artist has broken the verbal contract between you two by having left your art for so long.

When I do commissions I generally don't take money until the piece is nearly done or complete as due to my turbulent life I generally drag my feet, Its hard to put one's mind into the action when there's a million things nagging on my emotions. I'm sorry to hear that, Ivy, it makes me want to just curl up and faint. Just keep in contact with them, Ivy and if they don't budge, well........ it's time to be mean.

I can see the frustration in your situation. As an artist who takes commissions it is my opinion that you need to deal with customers like you value them. If one has been ignored for months with no avail then they are deserving of a refund.
I really don't like people that take commissioners money when they are already back logged. It happens, its happened to me. I take x amount with timeline in mind and something happens, deadline is not met for whatever reason ( sometimes it is simply that I am waiting for info from a commissioner). I can totally understand if a commissioner doesn't want to wait longer and asks for a refund.
I think that if you have waited a few months and are seeing no progress it isn't rude to request a refund at all. You also said that they are finishing commissions taken after you, not fair Regardless of what the artist is going through that is your commission and no product = no pay. For all I know you have run into money troubles and a refund on something you haven't got would really help you out.
Its not fair to continue working on others because you got more money, wanted to do it or whatever you paid and you deserve your picture or a refund.
If you feel the need to question the artist reliability on your commission, then yes, I think you should.

I have gotten a response from one telling me she'll give me a progress update soon, so that's good.
The others haven't read the notes yet. :P

Yeah, I can't stand those people that take more and more commissions and the money, but then... only work on the ones they feel like doing D:

I hope the others don't ignore you and that shit gets done lol