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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To refuse to pay for this commission?

328 replies

MikStone · 19/01/2024 08:28

My Sister is an artist and I asked her to paint a portrait of my dog.

Background - she started putting huge signatures across her work in red paint - So many people have told her that the signatures are OTT and distracting and actually ruin the painting - people on Facebook, people in her art group, family members … past customers have asked her not to do it on their portraits but she always does. One person argued with her that the portrait was amazing but was ruined by the signature, they wanted some money knocked off because of it. I asked her “why do you keep doing that when so many people have told you it ruins the pictures??” And she says “it doesn’t ruin them, that’s my style and most people like it” no they don’t!!

anyway when I asked her to do mine I was actually looking around for someone else to do it and when she asked why I hadn’t asked her I told her I don’t like the huge signatures she does. She laughed and said “I don’t have to do the signature!”

So I agreed for her to do it as long as she doesn’t put a massive signature on it.

Weeks later, I’m getting a bit impatient as I really wanted it weeks ago and had I gone to someone else it would have been done by now. She sent me an update on it last week and it was looking amazing, I was so excited about it.

Last night she sent me the finished work - massive red signature across it. I replied saying “why have you ruined it with that stupid signature?! I can’t accept it like that”. She replied saying the signature was a lot smaller than she normally does them and she’s spent weeks on it and needs paying. I don’t want it :-( The agreement was so daft signature, she went against that. WIBU to not accept it?

OP posts:
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buckeejit · 19/01/2024 13:50

You'll have to show us OP!

Purplepinkfairy · 19/01/2024 14:05

No I would not pay. Ye agreed a service and she did not keep her agreed action not to put the signature.

LaurieFairyCake · 19/01/2024 14:08

That is hilariously narcissistic GrinGrinGrin

Uricon2 · 19/01/2024 14:26

Ironic that Caravaggio (who I guarantee was infinitely more talented than your sister and not exactly a shy retiring flower to all accounts) is only thought to have signed one of his.

Christmaslights21 · 19/01/2024 14:29

PossumintheHouse · 19/01/2024 08:36

She sounds breathtakingly arrogant. Why won’t she listen to feedback from her customers!?

I’d refuse to pay unless she erased the signature.

This! No way I’d pay.

MikStone · 19/01/2024 15:01

It’s like this - signature right across the actual subject. Clearly I’m not an artist 😂 the actual dog was beautifully done (when you look beyond the signature)

To refuse to pay for this commission?
OP posts:
stillplentyofjunkinthetrunk · 19/01/2024 15:05

yeah no I'm with you there op, tasteless and egotistical. As she agreed not to do that when accepting the commission it is entirely reasonable to not pay for the picture imo.

Glittertwins · 19/01/2024 15:07

No, that's not on. That's like making the painting all about her signature and not the actual subject

Goawaytina · 19/01/2024 15:07

MikStone · 19/01/2024 15:01

It’s like this - signature right across the actual subject. Clearly I’m not an artist 😂 the actual dog was beautifully done (when you look beyond the signature)

Why would anyone want that?! I understand your frustration! Not sure what the solution is, I wouldn't want to pay either

triballeader · 19/01/2024 15:07

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 19/01/2024 13:48

I may be missing the point but - I thought artists signed their work so that anyone viewing the art knew who it was painted by, or to 'add value' so that the work could be absolutely known as theirs in cases of collectibility or fraud.

She's your SISTER. So you know who painted the bloody picture, it was your SISTER. And you're not likely to be selling on a picture of YOUR OWN DOG. So those two elements can be discounted. Leaving the only one remaining - she thinks her work will one day be worth millions, only if it's signed.

In which case a small signature in the corner is generally accepted. Having her name right across the entire picture is just ego over subject. And pointless, because SHE'S YOUR SISTER.

Don't pay. Get someone else to paint your dog and hang the picture somewhere very very obvious. Because you love it and you hate the version she painted.

In response to the question of signatures. It can help with issues around copyright. Most will opt for a signature that does not distract the viewer from appreciating the artwork created.
All of my portraits contain a simple signature to one side of the work to avoid detracting from the portrait and a myriad of teeny tiny signatures throughout the actual artwork. I know they are teeny as no one has noticed them.

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 19/01/2024 15:10

triballeader · 19/01/2024 15:07

In response to the question of signatures. It can help with issues around copyright. Most will opt for a signature that does not distract the viewer from appreciating the artwork created.
All of my portraits contain a simple signature to one side of the work to avoid detracting from the portrait and a myriad of teeny tiny signatures throughout the actual artwork. I know they are teeny as no one has noticed them.

Ah, I hadn't considered copyright! But that also doesn't require a bloody enormous scribble, just a mark that shows it's your 'brand'.

Newestname002 · 19/01/2024 15:16

MikStone · 19/01/2024 15:01

It’s like this - signature right across the actual subject. Clearly I’m not an artist 😂 the actual dog was beautifully done (when you look beyond the signature)

Handsome dog there, OP! 😂

I see what you mean - that's rather egotistical of her and actually defaces her own work. If she continues to ignore her clients she may well find she negatively affects her own business. 🌹

Lougle · 19/01/2024 15:20

@MikStone I love your portrait... I'd buy it! 🤣

Newfluff · 19/01/2024 15:41

That picture made me laugh

OP, yanbu.

MassiveOvaryaction · 19/01/2024 15:47

MikStone · 19/01/2024 15:01

It’s like this - signature right across the actual subject. Clearly I’m not an artist 😂 the actual dog was beautifully done (when you look beyond the signature)

That is a great picture Grin

FuckoffeeBeforeCoffee · 19/01/2024 15:56

Can you try a dachshund next please, OP?

Itslegitimatesalvage · 19/01/2024 16:24

Omg, OP you need to print that and frame it and don’t say anything at all about it when she comes round to yours!

MaggieFS · 19/01/2024 16:28

Love your picture. You should frame that instead.

She hasn't delivered what you commissioned, so no, I don't see why you should pay her.

FWIW, I've recently been to the National Gallery in London. I'd never before had an appreciation of quite how seriously good some paintings are. Suggest she heads there for a visit to see how the pros do signatures.

PianPianPiano · 19/01/2024 16:32

Itslegitimatesalvage · 19/01/2024 16:24

Omg, OP you need to print that and frame it and don’t say anything at all about it when she comes round to yours!

Please PLEASE do this OP!

cakewench · 19/01/2024 16:33

YANBU and I adore that mock up of yours! 😁

FUPAgirl · 19/01/2024 16:42

Op, you're the best 👌 I really do hope that you frame your work 🤩

Daffodilapidated · 19/01/2024 16:47

It sounds like she’s seen the way artists watermark their work when posting online to stop people reposting it as their own, and got carried away with it! I’m a professional artist (wildlife for a chain of galleries, previously pet portraits) and I don’t bother to watermark mine, or sign my full name. I just put my initials in a corner where they detract the least from the painting. I’d have accepted my mistake in my commission days, as it was made clear you didn’t want it, and wouldn’t insist on payment. I can’t actually imagine anyone would want a massive signature right across an original painting!

Gonners · 19/01/2024 17:27

MikStone · 19/01/2024 15:01

It’s like this - signature right across the actual subject. Clearly I’m not an artist 😂 the actual dog was beautifully done (when you look beyond the signature)

Don't put yourself down, OP - that's glorious! I do see what you mean, though. She is bonkers (sister, not dog).

duckpancakes · 19/01/2024 17:34

LindyLou2020 · 19/01/2024 11:35

@MikStone
Try me next time!

Those aren't her pet though

duckpancakes · 19/01/2024 17:37

MikStone · 19/01/2024 15:01

It’s like this - signature right across the actual subject. Clearly I’m not an artist 😂 the actual dog was beautifully done (when you look beyond the signature)

That's awful (not the picture, that's quite cute :D)

Why the heck does she do that.

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