Updates: Vani/Vanimute/Vanillakitsune/stripesandteeth

[kkitty23.livejournal.com]

Many of you have posted journals here on the AB community in reference to Vani. You've voiced your frustrations and many of you have had an ongoing struggle concerning commissions or refunds. I know that I'm 5+ years late and I want to offer my deepest condolences to everyone who has had to fight for some justice and has lost hope in ever receiving what's due to them. I hope to be able to provide some changes and will do my best to ensure that everyone's needs are met in the process.

This journal will serve as a place of reference for those who are owed art or refunds. I will continue updating this journal with a plan of action, schedules, general information, etc. If I've left anything out or anyone has any questions, please feel free to comment or contact me directly through my email: koalakitty23@yahoo.com

I've contacted Vani and have had a long discussion about everything that was shared in the recent journal concerning her failure to follow through with work that was owed. I've passed along the incredible advice offered and have managed to come to an arrangement in order to start turning this negative situation around into something positive and hopefully satisfying to those waiting for compensation. There is still a lot we're discussing, but I wanted to share the most recent updates for everyone, so you know what to expect in the coming month. PLEASE keep in mind that I can't make things happen overnight, but I am doing my best to ensure that changes are made as promptly as possible within a reasonable time frame. I am deeply grateful for your patience and understanding in this situation.

Updates - June 7, 2012

- Vani will be attending Metrocon within the next week. She will NOT be offering commissions, but will be selling prints and other pre-made merchandise. Her goal is to work toward bringing in profit on those items in order to focus on the work she owes, as well as turn some of the income around for refunds.

- A spreadsheet will be posted listing all of the commissions owed, to give everyone a visual reference of her work in progress. We're hoping to have that posted by the end of June.

- Time management will be implemented into her work schedule. Commissions will take priority over personal/con work. The goal is to work on commissions during the week, then use the weekend to work on prints/merch. Sketches and other WIPs will be posted at the beginning of the week while finished work will be posted at the end of the week. Personal art will be done over the weekend.

- Individual notes will be sent out to all commissioners once everything else is organized, to ensure that everyone is updated and communication is being established. As soon as I have a time frame, I'll be sure to let everyone know.

For now, I suppose you can think of me as Vani's unofficial PR. I'd like to help minimize the frustration by offering some peace of mind and an ear to listen. I know many of you are angry and frustrated. I'm going to do my best to help resolve the issue at hand. Vani has expressed her willingness to show change and her desire to make amends. We've both agreed that the best way for her to do so is through action, rather than words or false promises. So within the month I hope to be able to share goals achieved, one step at a time. I know it may seem like small steps, but in time I hope they will grow into larger strides.

Thanks again for all of the suggestions and advice that has been shared. It is greatly appreciated by both Vani and myself and I promise it will be put to good use and not go wasted.

Comments

[funkicarus.livejournal.com]

Just for clarification - why are you saying you are five years late in the first paragraph...? I thought you were not Vani?

[kkitty23.livejournal.com]

In a previous post, it was mentioned that this has been an ongoing issue for some, the time frame ranging 5+ years. I'm simply trying to acknowledge that I wasn't involved from the start and it's not my intention to appear as if I have all the answers or facts, etc.

I'm not Vani. I'm just a friend who's trying to help by offering a bit of guidance. The idea of making this post was suggested to me and I felt it might be useful.

[claytronic.livejournal.com]

I don't mean to be a negatron but if Vani wants to make a change and is sorry and etc etc... why isn't she the one posting this?

[oceandezignz.livejournal.com]

KKitty has graciously volunteered herself to be Vani's new PR manager.

[vioskotty.livejournal.com]

How can you (general you) be sure that she will not sell any commissions at the con? Not being negative but I'm just wondering how that will be followed through.

I really hope that she is truly sincere in this and that everyone can come out of this with what they're owed and vani/ash can restore her reputation. Or perhaps learn from this..

[kkitty23.livejournal.com]

To be honest? I can't give an answer to that. She could potentially go against her word at the con and do whatever she wants. However, she's made an agreement with me and I feel that she'll honor it. Could I be wrong? Sure. But I'm giving her the chance to prove herself. She knows this is the last time she can try to get things right.

It's my hope that she can learn from this as well. I suppose only time will tell.

[neolucky.livejournal.com]

I hope this works out. I'm glad she's showing you a willingness to change and try harder, but I DO think it'd be smart of her to at least make an appearance here. Or perhaps announce this new PR strategy on her tumblr/websites. If she's willing to let someone else handle delicate commissioner information, she'd better make sure all of her customers are aware of that. If someone I commissioned did this, I'd want to be told about it...not from a journal, but personally through email.

And some of them may not want to talk to you. Is she prepared to deal with those who'd like to discuss it with her personally? Having you do all the PR might give them a sense that she's brushing them off once again. Any communication is good at this point, but it'd mean a lot more coming from her. I'm sure she already knows that, however.

As long as there's no more passive aggressive stuff, suicide threats, or downright ignoring of her customers, I think she can possibly repair the damage she's done.

[kkitty23.livejournal.com]

If everyone wants to hear from her personally, I can direct her to this journal and ask her to share a comment. My main concern is that many only want her to comment so they can use that as a reason to jump down her throat. I'm trying to avoid as much of that as possible, because as much as it might make everyone feel better, initially it isn't going to help. From what I've heard from everyone, there's been enough talking. I'm trying to ensure action is taken.

When it comes to contacting commissioners concerning what's owed, that will be something Vani takes care of personally. I'm just here as an alternate form of communication and a resource of information. It's not my intention to step on any toes or try to run her business. I'm just here to help.

[jakejynx.livejournal.com]

I hope you know what you're getting into. If (when?) promises get made and broken, you as the contact will be the one having to deal with the repercussions. See Avsun Mascots and Prefur for reference.

[kkitty23.livejournal.com]

Should the unfortunate event of her stabbing me in the back take place, I will own up to my foolishness in trusting her. Until then, I feel like there's a chance for some change. Only time will really tell. All I can do is try. I'm prepared for whatever happens.

[skulldog.livejournal.com]

Seriously hoping that this is a turning point. I am skeptical, but not unwilling to hold off for a bit on naysaying until more time has passed.

If anything else needs to be said, I think she just really needs to START. Get even TWO commissions done and posted, and I image she's going to start seeing people giving her more acceptance and patience in this. It's going to be a long, slow struggle, but it's only going to get better each step.

Good luck to you, you've been very professional is this so far, and I hope it doesn't backfire on you after you put this effort forward.

[kkitty23.livejournal.com]

I understand everyone's hesitation and I'm not asking for everyone to throw those feelings out the window. That's why my main focus is for her to show progress, rather than continue talking about it. I've shared all of the advice provided with her and ensure that steps are being taken in order to move forward. I'm doing my best to provide a general time frame for everyone as well, so these goals can feel more tangible. Not just like more empty words...though I'm sure everything feels that way at this point.

I'm hoping for the best, preparing for the worst.

[kayla-la.livejournal.com]

I wanted to mention that I think it's very important that either you or Vani (preferably Vani) get in contact with all old, owed commissioners and gather new information on their commission. Characters change, people want different things three to five to seven years later.

It won't do a lot of good for her to go through her queue if nobody is happy with what they received because it's horribly out of date.

[ariakitty.livejournal.com]

This. After 2 years the characters I commissioned her to draw have changed.

(Fffff sorry for all the edits. I can't type today.)

[tunavoice.livejournal.com]

At first I thought this was a beware, and I was like "oh god, another one." Then I read the entire thing, and was pretty relieved.

I'm in doubt about the whole situation (as Neolucky said- show us, not tell us), but I really wish the best. It's wonderful that you're helping Vani take the first step to solving the situation instead of letting it get worse.

If anything, I recommend asking if the commissioner prefers a refund over a newly drawn commission first. I'm sure the overdue commissions may have been changed (i.e. character designs and preference). If I had to wait two years for a commission, honestly I'd just get the refund.

Good luck!

[kkitty23.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the advice. I will be sure to pass it along. Vani and I briefly touched on the subject and she intends to contact everyone individually to touch base and go over details, so she can make her list. There will be a section for commissioners who still want artwork and one for those who would like their refund. Everything is going to be listed, so all progress can be shown, not just the art side of things.

[sintocat.livejournal.com]

These are all very good plans, but me being a skeptic I have to ask, people of A_B and who have commissioned her have no idea if you have ACTUALLY spoken to her. So far we've heard that you're a friend of hers and you plan on helping her out, but we have heard nothing from Vani confirming this.
I would be much more inclined to believe she wants to make progress if posts on her tumbler this outline or comments her. Otherwise this is all just coming from you, not from her.

[cyiakanami.livejournal.com]

I 100% agree with this. There is literally no proof of anyone speaking to her and being a skeptic as well, and with her shaded past of empty promise, I'll see it to believe it.

When she's hit the 30 commission completed mark, then maybe I'll have hope for her again. Hopefully this will be the wake up call we all have been hoping for. Personally, I think she's just frightened she could end up in jail with a major legal bill. If that was the thing that scares her the most and gets her to work, that is just sad in my opinion. But to each their own.

It'll be refreshing if this actually goes through and those commissioners finally get what they been waiting so long for.

[taasla.livejournal.com]

I hope that this turns out something good. At this point I've heard this same song and dance from other artists from this MO. Starfinder tried to do the same thing and in the end not many people saw any results.

Another hope is that Vani realizes that you're essentially sticking your neck out really really far for her. Should this go bad, people may be contacting you to get info about their art.

[kkitty23.livejournal.com]

I recognize that this isn't anything impressive. It more than likely appears as another set of empty promises. It's my goal to ensure that it doesn't become that. I will do whatever I can to ensure that action is taken, progress is made and people are given what's owed to them. I will help however I can.

[miss-sevens.livejournal.com]

Good luck with this. I'm generally skeptical at these attempts, but if they pull it off. "Woo" for everyone on the list and I'm saying this as someone who has managed an artist (miniature painter) who wrecked themselves (not as severe in this case) because of similar issues.

[kkitty23.livejournal.com]

Thank you, your well wishes are greatly appreciated. I'm hoping for the best, preparing for the worst. I just want to help...and I'm hoping that Vani will follow through and set things right for herself. I want to see her succeed, as well as see everyone walk away happy. I know it will take time though.

[sbneko.livejournal.com]

Just chiming in, I do think this might be a good idea, having someone speak for her.

It'd be MUCH better if she did it herself. At the very least, write an apology and explain that someone else will be a go between. I know a lot of people dislike the idea of a go between, even I'd probably be turned off, but honestly, some artists need it. Just as an example, an artist posted here was, well, extremely rude when speaking with people. She would have benefited majorly by having a go-between.

Will this fix the issue? Maybe, maybe not. But if Vani really does have as bad anxiety as she says she does, then maybe -not- having to deal with people while she works will get things done. Once her plate is clean, then she can work on her customer communication.

Right now though, it's a waiting game to see if there's any progress.

[kkitty23.livejournal.com]

The last thing anyone needs is for her to lose her temper and set the community on fire. That's why I'm here...to try and help avoid that. Everyone has expressed their desire to hear from her directly, so I'll be passing that along to her and directing her to this journal.

It will take time, but goals have been met to show progress by the end of June. So...I suppose only time will tell.

[superstarvocal.livejournal.com]

..I hope she'll start refunding those of us who have been waiting for 5+ years first, tbh.

[kkitty23.livejournal.com]

Refunds are planned. They'll be taken care of one step at a time, as refunding everyone at once is clearly not a workable solution. The refunds will be part of the list of things she owes though :3 So by the end of June, a schedule should be set in motion. I'm doing my best to ensure that everyone waiting doesn't have to continue waiting several more years.

[otherscape.livejournal.com]

It's great that you're trying to help, but it would have been better if Vani made this post instead. It feels like she's hiding behind you. You can still help her get organized and stuff, but it be best if she took the public and private initiative instead of you.

I'll believe Vani will change when I see it.

[puritikoneko.livejournal.com]

Even if it's a small step in the right direction, hopefully things will eventually get sorted out on Vani's end and everyone can have something to walk away with at the end, including her.

I hope that putting your good faith in Vani and sticking your neck out like this doesn't come back to bite ya in the butt. Best of luck to both of you!

[wolf-goat.livejournal.com]

I can understand why you're dealing with this if her anxiety is getting in the way. But it would be very much productive if she could make a Tumblr post along the lines of "I'm sorry, I've messed up, I feel bad about it and am having difficulty dealing with the mess. Kkitty is helping me sort things out right now."

This would keep everyone better in the loop and I believe should be very much more easily managable for her anxiety.

[cyiakanami.livejournal.com]

I think, as stated many times in the last post about her, many of us feel sour about all this. It puts a major sour taste in my mouth just because not everyone has a perfect life. A lot of us turned to this type of work due to say for example, not being able to find stable work in rl, disabilities, or even just a good feeling about working on art for others and making money from it.

I have been taking online commissions since I was 16. Even at 16 I never once let a commissioner slip through the cracks. Now at 25, I've been working 2 and a half years almost on FA and while I can be a little late, by a month, I get what needs to be done. Working last year 60+ hours at a theme park in record heat, I still came home, picked up my tablet and finished commissions. I have 2 small children and a husband I care for. Never once did I tell commissioners no.

Right now I have a severe sinus infection rampaging through my sinuses because of a dentist I might have to sue! I've been hospitalized, on heavy pain meds and antibiotics, and I'm bipolar and anxiety and stress through the roof! But I am still able to sit down for a few hours a day, and work on art for my commissioners.

Vani in my eyes, has no excuse that could even come close to me believing for the past 5 years she can not work on commissioned work. If both her hands were broken, fingers missing, or severe arthritis, for the past 5 years. I could believe it. But she has no excuse in my book that would ever cause this mess, except she just wanted easy money without working for it. That's called a scammer and every ounce of bad feelings, reputation, and ill will she gets is well deserved 10 fold back to her.

For the commissioners who trustfully gave her their hard earned money, I hope for them that vani can grow up, suck it up and learn the real world isn't sugar coated and pretty. And that you CAN'T get away with this. Or there can be dire consequences like jail time.

[jakejynx.livejournal.com]

Was your life story really necessary? Not everyone can do what you apparently do.

[kohaku-chimaera.livejournal.com]

>Owed customers displeased about lack of contact, among other things.
>Finally decide to try and owe up to your problems by...Having someone else contact/talk to them.

¯\(°_o)/¯

On one hand, this could keep confrontations to a minimum...But on the other, it's rubbing me--and many others, apparently--the wrong way.

Good luck, I guess.

[banrai.livejournal.com]

I was under the impression A_B didn't allow this sort of proxy post. If the artist in question is 'sorry' (not buying it, unfortunately) then she should be here posting this.

[oceandezignz.livejournal.com]

When it comes to things that will resort to any sort of resolution, we try to keep a more open opinion in these cases.

Our aim is for resolution as much as information/reviews! :3

[nanook123.livejournal.com]

KK's I love you and all, but I won't believe a word of this until I see it...

I wish her luck, but she's angered so many people to the point of giving up on her.

I hope she does it, but I don't believe she will at this point...

[kkitty23.livejournal.com]

I love you too! :D

And I'm not asking anyone to feel any differently. I understand many are upset, enraged, disappointed, etc. And they have their reasons. I'm not here to debate that, I'm here to try and get this all sorted out.

As stated many times throughout both journals, the focus is on actions. My hope is to ensure that there is more of that than words. It's going to be a long road, but we've just gotta take the first step and keep on moving forward!

[accomesafterb.livejournal.com]

I commend you for reaching out to help your friend but I'm sure you can understand why a lot of the comments in this journal still sound upset. Her communication was probably one of the biggest driving home factors of people getting upset [aside from not seeing the work they paid for]. Despite talking through someone probably eliminating a lot of anxiety on her part it's still not HER communicating. I can't say I'm fond of how she's acting 'behind the scenes' but maybe it's for the best that she talk through you. I won't judge too harshly, but I'll still side eye.
That said you need, need, NEED to drill home to her that communication is the top priority. Tell her to get an email address specifically for commissions owed. Post it everywhere she abandoned [FA, DA, Tumblr] so people know exactly where to contact her. Even if it's just a simple "here is a working email' journal. If you're going to hold her hand through all this have her share the account with you so nothing goes unread and unreplied to. Communicating with her customers is the absolute best thing she can do right now to start rebuilding the bridges she cut down. People aren't going to be happy it's through you, they aren't going to like it but it sounds like you're at least ready for that backlash.
As someone who is waiting 2+ years for a piece from her I can say I'm one of those people who is mad about this. I know you, I like you, but I'm going to wait to see progress before I start clapping my hands and patting everyone on the back.

[rtydmartel.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you're doing this, and wish you the best of luck.

Like I said before, I can relate to Vani, in a way. I've never been in her exact position -- owing art/money -- but I get the "this seems insurmountable, better leave it alone" irrational fear.

If you can get her into the rhythm of paying or drawing all owed art, and keeping communications alive and everything nice and scheduled and not overwhelming, while not letting new chores pile up again in a threatening matter, she'll be in the right path.

Just make sure that she doesn't slip up again and gets overconfident and gets into this situation again! This is more like a long-term thing to watch out for, but definitely something to keep in mind.

It seems that you have the organized, iron-willed, diplomatic kind of mind that Vani needs in a friend right now.

[arcticious.livejournal.com]

I think it's good you're doing this for her, but as others said, it would mean much more coming from her.
I think one of the problems that may be looping in her mind is that people are going to "jump down her throat". From what I've seen, if she came into the community (either LJ, Tumblr or Furaffinity) and said "Look I'm sorry, I'm getting someone to help me and I will work through all the commissions" without putting any personal opinions or anything in their, no suicide threats or the like, then I think the community would be accepting. And even if she got you or a friend to then filter through the comments so she didn't have to deal with the responses (if that would help) then at least she would have given her word to fixing this.
They aren't as hostile as she seems to believe, but then again, I'm just an onlooker. I just think it's another excuse, but hopefully this will be a step in the right direction and everyone will receive what they are owed. Good luck!

[oceandezignz.livejournal.com]

Amongst everything, you have already noticed the general opinion of the community is 'we want to hear HER say 'X' and mean it'.

I feel as if also neither of you are considering that any and all idea of her being 'dogpiled' or 'attacked' in this community... really CAN'T happen. I mean, I cannot guarantee no one is not going to tell her that they are disappointed with her and wish she'd be more professional - but any sort of 'hate wagon' trolling, cursing her out or anything beyond a professional frowny face or a customer saying 'don't forget me' can, and will be controlled by the moderators of this community.

We don't stand for harassment from anyone, so Vani would actually be relatively safe coming in here and offering a very well worded excuse/guilt-free apology and agreement that the two of you are going to set all of this to rights.

[tunavoice.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm glad there's the no-harassment rule.

But if Vani does post here, I really hope she does so without a single hint of guilt in her explanation/apology. Guilt tripping is going to get her nowhere and she needs to stop.

If she's reading our comments (or hearing about them at all from another source), hopefully they'll give her some insight on how to respond to this thread.

[zackfig.livejournal.com]

You might have the best of intentions, but it just doesn't cut it. I might change my opinion if I actually see her doing any progress towards clearing her huge backlog -- but to me, it doesn't matter what you say... what matters to me is what SHE says and whether she comes through or not.

I really hope you know what you're getting into and doesn't blow up on your face.