I've commissioned friends before, most of my friends appreciate my business as I always pay upfront, and most of my friends deliver the goods on time.
Unfortunately, I have the habit of not setting deadlines... how do you approach a commissioned artist that is also a friend when it's already been more than 18 months since the deal was completed.
And yeah, they are aware they still owe but offer several reasons for not having completed the commissioned pieces, an art block being the most common one. In my opinion, a little hard to justify when you do chug art, even for pay-sites, albeit sporadically.
I don't want a refund, I don't need the refund... I just honestly want the art... and I'd not mind waiting more if I could tell my friends are actually being honest about their efforts.
I've thought about this for months, I still don't know if I'm doing the right thing... I know common friends visit this site and I'd not be surprised if I get chided on the side... but I could really use some advice at this point.
EDIT:
Thanks for all the advice. I'm still trying to gather the courage to bring this issue up to 'em.
People are right, I should not have mixed friendship/business together. But it has hardly been an issue before.
One of the problems is that one of my friends involved in this took on these commissions because she had financial issues.
As people have commented, sadly people take advantage of friends, whether they're the commissioned artists by delaying the final product, as is my case, or they're the commissioner by not paying promptly, as been the case of other people that have given me advice.
I hope other people here in A_B can learn from this as well, both as artists and as commissioners.
Unfortunately, I have the habit of not setting deadlines... how do you approach a commissioned artist that is also a friend when it's already been more than 18 months since the deal was completed.
And yeah, they are aware they still owe but offer several reasons for not having completed the commissioned pieces, an art block being the most common one. In my opinion, a little hard to justify when you do chug art, even for pay-sites, albeit sporadically.
I don't want a refund, I don't need the refund... I just honestly want the art... and I'd not mind waiting more if I could tell my friends are actually being honest about their efforts.
I've thought about this for months, I still don't know if I'm doing the right thing... I know common friends visit this site and I'd not be surprised if I get chided on the side... but I could really use some advice at this point.
EDIT:
Thanks for all the advice. I'm still trying to gather the courage to bring this issue up to 'em.
People are right, I should not have mixed friendship/business together. But it has hardly been an issue before.
One of the problems is that one of my friends involved in this took on these commissions because she had financial issues.
As people have commented, sadly people take advantage of friends, whether they're the commissioned artists by delaying the final product, as is my case, or they're the commissioner by not paying promptly, as been the case of other people that have given me advice.
I hope other people here in A_B can learn from this as well, both as artists and as commissioners.
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And yes, if they are your friend, they should understand that you should get what you paid for <3
Good luck!
Perhaps a mutual friend could address them about it on your behalf if you feel that it's too awkward, or link them to this entry?
I had a similar situation happen except it was reversed. I did the art before he sent payment because he was a friend. It took him 3 months to pay me, but he did after I sent him a friendly email. We're still buddies today.
okay, maybe not that formal, but if you play it cool and make yourself seem reasonable, then the only one who would get upset is; 1) someone who is defensive because they are not intending to complete the job and trying to turn the situation around to their own benefit, or 2) someone who's just a jerk and probably doesn't deserve friends or other people's business in the first place. Good luck to you :)
I respect artists' rights to work on other stuff when the mood's hitting them... to a point.
My advice, give a deadline of a month or two, remind them you've been more than fair. And if the deadline hits, ask for a refund. If they're unwilling, then it may be time to bring them up by name on A_B.