Prominent artist not delivering commission - what to do?

Posted on 8/4/2014 8:51:00 AM

In December 2013 I commissioned a piece from one of the biggest artists in the industry, after a prompt from their mailing list indicated they were taking a limited number of sumbissions to be ready in time for Christmas. It's a very personal piece for someone in my life who is a tremendous fan of this person; it's not ever intended to be resold. It was to be a Christmas present.

I ordered and paid for (via PayPal) the piece. I communicated the idea to the artist and provided a few reference photos. They said no problem, will do, etc.

As Christmas neared and there was no shipping notice, I sent a few inquiries. (For the record, every single one of my communications has been as formal and polite as this post.) No response.

Christmas came and went. I sent more inquiries. No response.

I've sent follow-ups maybe once monthly or so since. No response.

I get that artists, particularly prominent ones, overstuff their plates sometimes. Delays happen. And the now 6 months-plus delay, while frustrating, isn't my main problem. It's the complete lack of any sort of response to my e-mails asking for any sort of update. Zero. They were happy to take my money quickly, and then nothing.

This person really is one of the biggest names in the industry. I don't want to "out" them here and get into some sort of pointless shaming/insult war. I'm just looking for suggestions from some of you who maybe experienced something similar in the past.

Ideally we'd get the piece. I don't care if it's Christmas 2014, as long as we know it's coming. What would you do about the total lack of response? Just try to get the money back?

--J.

Patrick Wilshire
*Member Since 2005
Posts: 14

1 - Posted on 8/5/2014 9:09:00 PM

Wow -that's a tough one. Artists missing deadlines is a pretty common thing . . . but a complete lack of communication is not. I assume you are emailing the artist - have you tried calling them? While many phone numbers aren't readily available, I'd bet you could probably find it with a little hunting around. If you want to PM me the artist's name, I can see if I can be of any help in locating someone who might be able to get you alternate contact information. No matter what, you are certainly entitled to a response to your inquiries!

Jared Blaut
*Member Since 2005
Posts: 2

Posted on 8/6/2014 9:06:00 AM

Hi Patrick,

Thanks for the response. Yes, we've communicated entirely via e-mail, using an address that I know works as the artist and I did intially discuss the commission, of course. So they must be seeing what I've been sending. I'm hesitant to call – even though I'm in the right, I don't want to be perceived as harrassing anyone. But given a few more weeks, and the lack of response to my latest missive of a week or so ago, maybe that will be the thing to do. Alternatively I'll try reaching out to their listed agent; they handle the film & tv world, so not directly related, but perhaps they can push the message to the artist.

All the best,

Jared

Patrick Wilshire
*Member Since 2005
Posts: 14

Posted on 8/6/2014 9:31:00 AM

Agent is not a bad way to go - I wouldn't wait any longer, though. Just copy the original series of emails and send them on to the agent and ask if they can help you getting the issue resolved.

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