Warning about Artist

[annoyeddragon.livejournal.com]

Please note this was a mature commission. There is no adult images, but there is descriptions in that regard.

WHO:

Milkshake on Fur Affinity/ Urunay on Youtube

WHERE:

Fur Affinity (http://www.furaffinity.net/user/milkshake)

YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/user/Urunay#g/u)

WHAT:

Four part vaporion transformation, mature, coloured sketches.

WHEN:

10/25/10 - 20 euro payment.

12/8/10 - I expressed concerns, they mentioned RL issues slowing commission.

02/5/11 - I notice they had taken down all their artwork on their account, no activity for months. Began looking for them then.

02/7/11 – Artist responded on YouTube, refund received.

PROOF:

Payment and accepting commission- http://img825.imageshack.us/img825/2608/milkshake1.png

Tracking down artist- http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/3497/milkshake2.png

Admittance to being Milkshake + refund- http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/2721/milkshake3.png

EXPLAIN:

The artist closed down their account and attempted a runner. I managed to track them down through information in their forum posts and comparing art style, and got a refund. So the issue has essentially been resolved and I moved on. But several users felt it necessary for me to report this incident, so that people know what the artist tried to do. I must admit, I'm not entirely comfortable reporting them, despite what they tried. They asked that I not reveal their identity, which is exactly what I am doing now.

Essentially the first commission I got off Milkshake went well. So much so, that I commissioned them again. But it was with this second commission that I encountered problems. The commission kept getting delayed, because what they claimed were problems they were having in their day to day life. Until eventually they stopped responding, and I found their account had been stripped of all artwork. It was at this point I knew something was wrong.

I began by looking at their forum posts for any means of contacting them. They had a deviant art page, but this was also closed down, adding to my belief that they had simply run off. I discovered they operated under a second name, after a Google search; I found a YouTube account under this same name. The art was very similar, so I had every reason to believe this was them. They later confirmed this by admitting to be Milkshake from Fur Affinity.

They recognised that running off was unacceptable. The reason they had done this is because they wanted to erase their association with the adult side of furry art, start up elsewhere as a clean furry artist; with no link to their older adult drawings. A mature commission such as mine was of course not along those interests, so they just dropped it.

I got a refund off them and they seemed to be sincerely apologetic. They requested that I didn't tell others they were Milkshake, as they really wanted to separate their new account from their previous one. I'm of course going against their interests in that regard right now, which despite their actions; has me somewhat uncomfortable. They did seem genuinely sorry, not like that excuses what they did.

Comments

[kayla-la.livejournal.com]

I don't blame you for feeling uncomfortable in outing her, but if she's leaving and taking people's money with her, this is very much the right thing to do. It's okay to disassociate yourself with the fandom, lots of people do it, but you don't get to keep people's money for nothing! Refund and then take off, but it's slimy to just disappear and assume they won't find you.

Very much a valid beware. She probably wasn't so much genuinely sorry as she was hoping you wouldn't out her. But it comes down to the fact that if she had been responsible to begin with, you wouldn't have needed to.

Mod post

[hamburger.livejournal.com]

Okay, in case anyone questions it: I approved this because even though the buyer has been refunded their money, the seller ADMITTED that they had purposely attempted to run off without completing their commissions. I think this very much constitutes a beware.

[lilenth.livejournal.com]

While I agree the beware is valid, they shouldn't have run out with your money; I do have to question 20 euros for a four image transformation sequence, that is appallingly low especially for color work.

While I understand that you were paying what they specified as their price, often low prices or emergencies are associated with issues. It's hard for many artists to feel motivated for what amounts out to the pittance, admittedly they should still do the work or pony up a refund if they agree to it but at the end of the day, it's best to look for an artist whose prices are decent enough to pay them for their time and who shows a steady amount of work, you're more likely to get your work.

[zhivagod.livejournal.com]

This. So many furs price themselves appallingly low because they believe that quantity = quality. This causes burnout.

[annoyeddragon.livejournal.com]

@lilenth

I can understand where you are coming from. It was the low specified price and good quality work that attracted me to the artist to begin with, and the image they had done for me prior demonstrated a good turn around. If they had charged more, I would have probably paid it, they had a nice style. Though I'm sure you would agree it would be strange to turn down an artist willing to do art for so little, demanding a higher price instead.

That said, if it wasn't for this incident, they could have become one of my favourites. There is another artist I use regularly, because of their good quality for price, and I often tip them to show my appreciation. I've tipped him $20 for being half way through a $60 comic he is doing for me, and I plan on tipping him another $20 when he finishes.

[lilenth.livejournal.com]

No, but everytime I see an artist lowballing, I ask what the catch is. That's the thing, when it comes to art there's a saying:

Inexpensive, quality, quick turnaround. Pick any two and forget the other one. If it's inexpensive and quality, it'll take forever, if it's quality and quick, it won't be cheap and if it's cheap and quick, it probably won't be good.

[annoyeddragon.livejournal.com]

I'll have to keep that in mind :)

[sigilgoat.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I heard "Quick, Cheap or Good" a lot when I was in the SCA. You only get 2!

[mistresswolf.livejournal.com]

I like that. It is good to remember!

[whereisourcrown.livejournal.com]

The reason they had done this is because they wanted to erase their association with the adult side of furry art, start up elsewhere as a clean furry artist; with no link to their older adult drawings.

Or because they were 17 and didn't want to get caught?
http://urukins.deviantart.com/journal/37344470/

[annoyeddragon.livejournal.com]

There's rules on FA regarding under 18s and adult artwork, so they kept that one a secret.

[astraldescent.livejournal.com]

Weird, I've reported minors posting porn on FA and nothing happened. I used trouble tickets though.

[mr-cullen.livejournal.com]

You'll be surprised how often that'll get looked over if an underaged artist draws porn the staffers like.

[owl-song.livejournal.com]

woah, she's been posting to teenycom! the newest picture posted showed up this week

[darkheartsclub.livejournal.com]

I saw that!! and was concidering getting something from here, glad I chose not to

[stormslegacy.livejournal.com]

While i respect that you feel uncomfortable doing this remember: she did you no favors, and ran out. If every con artist was a jerk, they wouldn't get very far---nice + good to deal with are two different things. Being posted on A_B is not about how nice you are as a person.

I don't care what the reason is, someone doesn't just "drop" your commission without telling you. That's totally inappropriate, even if you did eventually get your money back.

[genkigami.livejournal.com]

Separating yourself from the adult aspect of the fandom and starting on a clean slate is fine. Running off with people's money is not fine.

You did the right thing outing her. Hopefully others can find her and get a refund.

[uru-king.livejournal.com]

there are no others , this, was the only comissioner I was a 'thief' too, though unnintencionally.

[nauro-chan.livejournal.com]

I seen them selling on Teenycom not that long ago.

And like others said, I can see how its uncomfortable and all. But then again you are warning people of what may happen. This may help those who are still looking for their art/refund find the person and get what they need.

[peludrax.livejournal.com]

Wow, such a shame, I commissioned them for three different pieces and all were done that night and look fabulous, they're actually some of my favorite pieces to date. I must just be one of the lucky ones.

[annoyeddragon.livejournal.com]

The first commission I got from them was great, it only turned bad with the second.

[marus-puppy.livejournal.com]

I respect artists who don't do adult artwork just as much as I respect those who do (sometimes even more so) so for her to purge her gallery of it, all right... But if we assume you're not the only adult commission she had, then she likely ran off with a handful of other people's money too. I'm glad you reported her and I know it's uncomfortable posting about people here, but you did the right thing.

[uru-king.livejournal.com]

though old I might aswell put up for my 'name'

considering I grew quite a lot in the last year might aswell try and reddeem myself.

I didn't really want to 'run with the money' , though still pretty unacceptable. this was the only -victim- on my dumb behavior on trying to run away from my adut account when I was still a minor.

I'll leave here every account I have for anyone who still feels the need to be aware of me, though I am sure that if you ask anyone that comissions me nowadays I am sure no one will have many complaints on time and all

Somehow If I were to keep the money that in some way I stole I wouldn't have admitted nor gave a refund. but I did.

kay I won't say much anymore I just wanted to show that I am sory for what I've done and all.

my current art accounts

http://urukins.deviantart.com/
http://www.furaffinity.net/user/hollowbastion/

and my most recent art account : http://shadowness.com/uru

[uru-king.livejournal.com]

also sorry for the typos <__<