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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:
Thread gallery
12
Patchworksack · 19/01/2024 22:56

Ah I see @Toberlerone got there before me!

Musntapplecrumble · 19/01/2024 23:06

Patchworksack · 19/01/2024 22:56

Ah I see @Toberlerone got there before me!

Hilarious! Luv the y-fronts 😆
Think u should do your own commissions, OP!!

scoobysnaxx · 19/01/2024 23:15

Is she always this bloody awkward and frustrating?

Cheeky mate.

Some artists seem to carry the same kind of arrogance that some chefs do.. my art my work I do what I want stuff the customer.

I'd be so pissed off and not pay her.

scoobysnaxx · 19/01/2024 23:19

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!

Absolutely 😂😂

caringcarer · 19/01/2024 23:47

It sounds like your sister has a massive ego. If her work is distinctive surely that is signature enough. Small initials in a corner in pencil.

caringcarer · 19/01/2024 23:50

LindyLou2020 · 19/01/2024 11:35

@MikStone
Try me next time!

You are very talented. The dog on the right looks so real like it could stand up and walk out of the picture.

FatherJackHackettsUnderpantsHamper · 20/01/2024 00:26

Sir Christopher Wren had a small epitaph on his tomb in St Paul's Cathedral saying (in Latin) "If you seek his monument, look around" - and nothing more.

If only he'd had the wisdom, marketing prowess and Insta-style branding skills that OP's sister has, he would have emblazoned every wall and pew with enormous cartoon wrens Grin

MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 20/01/2024 00:37

That’s not signing her art, it’s graffitied. Yours are great though OP; you should consider a change of career💀

Newestname002 · 20/01/2024 04:38

Actually @MikStone you should consider framing and putting these on your walls as a new, cartoon format of naive art. Something to make you, and your visitors smile, when life is less than happy. 🌹

Geppili · 20/01/2024 06:01

Can you do one of my cockerpoo, please?

LindyLou2020 · 20/01/2024 09:18

caringcarer · 19/01/2024 23:50

You are very talented. The dog on the right looks so real like it could stand up and walk out of the picture.

@caringcarer
Ah, thank you! 😊
The client was delighted with it, which is what matters the most - and this thread has highlighted, over and over again, how crucial this is.

newnamethanks · 20/01/2024 09:25

As she likes it so much she can keep it. It isnt what you asked for and is an unprofessional act of egoism. However, she's your sister, albeit a cheeky cow, is it worth a massive fall-out? Personally, I'd go for the family rift, so contemptuous of your wishes.

FuckoffeeBeforeCoffee · 20/01/2024 14:23

That is AMAZING op. Getting it printed and putting it in my office.

FatherJackHackettsUnderpantsHamper · 20/01/2024 16:09

Actually, I take back all that I said earlier.

I've experimented myself, toiled over my craft, and I now realise that a distinctive, prominent signature from a talented artist can indeed transform an already-beautiful piece into a breath-taking masterpiece.

To refuse to pay for this commission?
florasmama · 20/01/2024 18:17

Would say YANBU, I'm an artist myself and have close friends who are also artists and they regularly do commission work. You asked for something specific, she agreed, she doesn't have anything in writing from you I assume and it sounds like there wasn't a deposit involved (family and what not). As PP said, tell her if she paints over the signature then you'll pay her. She agreed not to do it. If she refuses, then don't pay. I'm not one to encourage that behaviour towards artists but what she did broke the agreement and she needs to understand the importance of listening to her clientele. End of discussion imo.

florasmama · 20/01/2024 18:17

FatherJackHackettsUnderpantsHamper · 19/01/2024 09:31

Pay her with 'banknotes' that you've printed off and scrawled your own massive signature all over.

Tell her "It's my individual payment style, and I know that people love it, in spite of what they all tell me to the contrary."

Excellent hahahaha also this

daisychain01 · 21/01/2024 08:39

FatherJackHackettsUnderpantsHamper · 19/01/2024 10:11

She was "looking around for" another artist, but does notsay she had chosen one.

But surely the fact that her sister is a talented artist and she hadn't gone straight to her (unless it was a present for the sister, say) makes her feelings quite clear?

If your brother was an electrician and you started looking around for quotes from strangers to re-wire your house instead of even approaching him initially, you'd think that something wasn't quite right somewhere, wouldn't you?

personally, I would never involve family and friends in anything like this - to preserve the relationship. The minute you get people involved with any project (art, DIY, electrics, mechanics etc) where there's some emotional connection, you're basically sacrificing the ability to push back, challenge and refuse to pay if it isn't what's been agreed.

that doesn't make anything "not quite right", the reverse. Its actually very naive to get someone close to you involved and not expect this kind of shenanigans.

ohdamnitjanet · 21/01/2024 08:46

MikStone · 19/01/2024 17:40

Your wish is my command! 😂

😆

Fran2023 · 21/01/2024 08:54

Unless your dog actually has her signature in red across the lower part of his body then it is not, in fact, a portrait of the dog. Just saying. 😉

MotherOfGodWeeFella · 21/01/2024 08:58

Makeitmakesensetoday · 19/01/2024 09:21

I cant picture an artist doing a massive signature across their work. Have you got a photo of an example?

Yeah right. You just want to know who the artist is.

MrsPCR · 21/01/2024 09:04

Is the idea of an artist not that you be recognised for your style and skill and then you go up to the corner and squint to confirm you were right on guessing the artist?

I'm surprised she has any business if she does graffiti over her finished pieces!

Makeitmakesensetoday · 21/01/2024 09:07

MotherOfGodWeeFella · 21/01/2024 08:58

Yeah right. You just want to know who the artist is.

I dont really care actually or know anything about art, I just can't imagine an artist doing a beautiful picture then scrawling all across it. The OPs homemade examples are good enough for me though!

Pancakeorcrepe · 21/01/2024 09:08

😂😂 your drawings are killing me

Pugdays · 21/01/2024 09:13

Tbh
I could predict where this was going
Did you not think ,as she took no notice of anyone else ,she wasnt going to do what you wanted either

PlipPlopChoo · 21/01/2024 09:19

If she does this for a living or even part time earner she needs to listen to her customers instructions. Do not accept the work!

Her ego has got in the way of delivering what you wanted. And it will cost her time to put this right. You have taught her a valuable lesson here.

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