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Okay, so I was torn if I should put this here or in the art sections, cause it's sorta art related, but also life-issue related...mods, feel free to move this if you want.

So, I'm a large collector of art. Many, many forms of art, and as I cannot draw I commission artists to fill my need for it. I've never, in six years, had a bad art commission moment. Until now.

Two months ago I commissioned someone to do a custom peice for me. It was to be pretty big, 11x17, and in full color so I was super excited. I pre-paid(as I've done quite often) and we agreed I'd pick it up while at a convention this last weekend. He asked me to call him on the 1st of May to remind him and I agreed. So, on the 1st I called, he informed me he was out of state at another convention and could I call him back later the week. I agreed. When I called the second time I got no answer so I left a message with all my contact info, what I was calling about, and all my particulars. I never heard back, so I thought all was well.

I got out to my convention and was super excited 'knowing' that I had art waiting for me. I went to his table and asked if I could pick it up. He gave me a blank look and asked what I was talking about. I figured he gets a lot of art requests so I explained furthur. Still no idea. He then asked when I last called/talked to him. I filled him in. He then proceeded to tell me that my art wasn't done, not even started in fact. Why? Because I didn't text/call him DAILY to get it done.

Wait, what??? I paid him in good faith that my art would be done. I was asked for ONE call to remind him a month before to have it done. I did BOTH these things, and here he is telling me I was supposed to ride HERD on him for thirty days? He said he would do it and ship it to me but I needed to text him a LOT to remind him. I then informed him I do NOT text, nor do I even enjoy being on the phone. He got snarky and said I [must really hate Alexander Grahm bell then]. I left after that.

This of course ruined my con-buzz for that night. And I'm now torn. Do I contact him and inform him that I want my art, or do I want my money back. I realize that there was no formal contract, my error, that said the piece had to be done by X date, but I've NEVER been informed that I'm supposed to badger someone to do what I've already PAID them for! In fact I've had artists/friends tell me to NOT contact an artist a lot while waiting on a commission as it makes them feel harried and upset!

So, I guess I want opinions on a couple things. Am I over-reacting? Should I just accept that I should have done more and contact him to get my art? To that extent do you think I should get my art or ask for a refund(it was a LOT of money)? I'm waiting a couple days to decide before I do anything....

I'd demand my money back! That jerk.

Money back, doesn't deserve the commission.

Do you know why he does art so heavily? Cause he can't hold a real job. Your boss isn't gonna walk up every ten seconds and remind you to do your job =.=

Completely agreed with Hermes and Winter.

Get your money back because he sounds like a scamming douchebag.

i'll draw you a big picture <3

I have to say Fey get your money back as much as you like art. I say just get it back and save up for the next con.

personally dont trust artists that want real money up front, they should be asking for a deposit and then you pay the rest to pick it up.

Get your money back. Go find him, and demand to get a full refund, and remind him that Artists do what they do for the love of the art, and if he needs his commissioners to constantly remind him, then he's not an artist. He's a failure at life who tries to survive off of scamming people and never finishing their work. Because no one has the time to text someone they hired every day.

:: blinking::
wow, and here i was feeling guilty and thinking I was over reacting....

In the artists defense, he didn't demand I pay in full up front, but it was an options. As I'm bad with remembering not to spend things I've earmarked I chose to pay in full up front.

But thanks guys, I feel a looooooooooot better about myself now!

You know what? Punch him a good one. Or hit him, with the Mona Lisa.

Or punch him while listening to the song Mona Lisa by Britney Spears. Same diff, right?

Or better yet, hit him with the mona lisa, while he's listening to Mona Lisa.

but, the mona lisa is very tiny, and under very heavy guard. How about I hit him with an large, ugly, relatively cheap copy of Dogs Playing Poker?

That can work as well! Make sure Mona Lisa is playing in the background, though!

I agree with everyone here Fey, get your money back. It doesn't sound like this person is worth badgering to get it done.

Or better yet, get a statue of the Mona Lisa, made out of pure lead, and then have this really big guy named Tommy "Two Fingers" Cucchinelli to hit him with it, while saying some cliched mob line.