Sculpture Commission Woes

[isilbastet.livejournal.com]

I've never had to report an artist before, and I really don't want to do this, but a friend said that this may be the only way to get my commission done and in my hands.

I originally commissioned this artist on August 17, 2007. I sent her a money order, which she received. The order was a one-character anthro sculpture of my character, Isil.

I told her that I had waited for a long period of time for commissions before, and that as long as it didn't take a year (I said this jokingly, of course) it would be fine.

At this point, it's been 1 year and 2.5 months, and simply because of the activities on her account as far as commissions go, I'm getting a little impatient.

I sent her a couple notes asking for the sketches she had promised me she would send before beginning the sculpture. I didn't receive those sketches until March 2008 (about 8 months after I originally commissioned her, and about 7.5 months after she received her money.) I didn't receive another note until June 2008 telling me that she would get me pictures of the progress soon. I didn't actually receive those pictures until July 2008.

At this point, I've seen progress, so I know it's being worked on. What bugs me is the long periods of time and gaps in communication, and the fact that sometimes I had to send her 2-3 notes before she would bother replying.

All in all, when she does communicate with me, she's been extremely polite, and her turnaround time for every other commission she's taken on is impeccable; I just don't understand why she keeps taking on more new commissions when she has one from over a year ago lying around unfinished. I REALLY want to see the finished product and I have absolutely no personal qualms with the artist whatsoever, so I'm not sure what to do. On one hand, I feel that the way she communicates, while friendly, is rather unprofessional, and on the other I don't really want to dirty her name when on all her other commissions she seems to be pretty good about turnaround time.

If someone specifically requests I'll post her name, but I'd really rather not until I've been given a few opinions on how bad the situation looks or if it could turn up.

Thanks guys,

Isil B.

Comments

[bladespark.livejournal.com]

Hmm. So she is taking commissions, and finishing them, while ignoring yours completely? It sounds like she's one of those people who works on "inspiration" and does things in the order she feels like. Which there's nothing wrong with, up to a point, but more than a year's wait is definitely past that point.

Perhaps you might express your concern, and bring up the possibility of a refund? I know what you really want is your art, but she may not realize how concerned you are, and "refund" tends to let somebody know that you are serious about things. (Politely, of course! Not as a threat, but just as a "If you feel you can't make my art, I'd like my money back, please, and if you can make my art, I would like the art asap then." kind of thing.)

[isilbastet.livejournal.com]

That's definitely a good idea. It's honestly not in my nature, but I have thought about it, and now that it's been suggested perhaps I'll give it a try. Thanks a ton for the input!

[alcyione.livejournal.com]

Isil, could you let me know who this is, please? email me, babe!

[isilbastet.livejournal.com]

Sure, hon <3 What's your email?

[alcyione.livejournal.com]

littlefennecATgmailDOTcom =)

[fenris-lorsrai.livejournal.com]

I'm a sculptor and getting stuff laid out can take a long time since there's a fair amount of prep work with it, each section rather different than the other. it's almost like doing several smaller sequential commissions. But not even getting the concept sketches to you for 6+ months, that's just silly. That's the EASY part. I usually have those turned around and approved in a week. It's the later parts that go slower. If the speed for sketches is any indication, the actual sculpting will take even longer...

At this point, ask for your money back. I'd say it's pretty clear that the artist just isn't going to get this done in anything approaching a timely fashion. Without specific details, it sounds like if she's started working, she's built only the underlying supports... if that. That can always be repurposed so she's not out big time.

Better to terminate the commission so both sides can move on.

[isilbastet.livejournal.com]

Alrighty, thank you very much...I'm going to attempt to, I hope she responds.

[rileycostello.livejournal.com]

I wish I could do sculpture (really have never tried it- I wonder if I'd be good at it?)- I'd just make you one. XD

then again since I don't do sculptures it would probably be bad.

XD

poor yoouuuuu <333333 I'd ask for a refund- a year is fucking stupid with no regular updates. You seem to have bad luck, bb! :[

[isilbastet.livejournal.com]

Awww hon <3 That's very sweet.

Thanks for the input lovey, I'm gonna try to contact her later this week.

[ictitherium.livejournal.com]

:C Oh isil... I'm sorry hon.

Dude, IM me I wanna know more >:C

[isilbastet.livejournal.com]

aww thanks hon, I will

[kashira.livejournal.com]

OT (since I honestly have nothing to say that hasn't already been said), but your icon is -lovely-. May I ask who did it?

[isilbastet.livejournal.com]

Louvelex :3

http://furaffinity.net/user/louvelex

[candiedmouth.livejournal.com]

I don't think it is, but it wouldn't happen to be a friend of mine, would it?

The friend I'm thinking of hasn't taken a sculpture commission in a dog's age that I know of, but she has been having some issues now and then with completing things in a timely manner (though lately she's been golden in that regard, but I'm thinking of the last couple years in general).

[isilbastet.livejournal.com]

Erf, your name doesn't sound familiar, but if you're cool, you could send me who you're talking about in a message...maybe it'll help things sort out.

[isilbastet.livejournal.com]

Holy shiz HI D: I didn't recognize your eljay name.

Dunno if it's anyone you know, she's almost exclusively a DA artist.

[candiedmouth.livejournal.com]

Hi XD No, in that case it's probably not anyone I know.

Has the person taken on other -sculpture- commissions, or only 2D art? I know for some folks it takes much, much longer to work on 3D, and harder to find the time and space to work on it too. :/ it doesn't sound like she intends to rip you off, here, from what you've said.

[pkbitchgirl.livejournal.com]

Who is this artist, please?

If possible could you send me a PM?