OK - I need some input here...

[klingoncat]

OK - In an effort to helpl out a local animal shelter last fall I offered to paint someones cat as a raffle item for the shelter to raise money ( I uaually sell a basic portrait for $200-300) The tickets were $1 each - so the winner met with me and gve me REALLY bad laser prints of pics of her 2 cats - one black blob with yellow eyes and no other

Comments

[ex_pkabyssin114]

I would totally do number two with a not so subtle reminder that she basically got a $199 discount.

I have grown a rather thick skin with people like that. My husband is an artist and he's normally pretty willing to just give his work away and constantly undervalues it. So he put me in charge of being the mean one and setting realistic prices for his work. People seriously don't know how much, time, effort, and talent goes into work and if I got a $200 painting for a buck I'd be thrilled that it even resembled CATS.

Seriously, I can't believe the nerve of some people.

[klingoncat]

yeah - I think that is the way to go - she bitched that I didn't spend any time on it - but she spent no time at all getting me good reference material - I think some people just have unreal expectations about things and don't think about how much work is involved. I truely wich she had given me better pictures to work from.

[klingoncat]

yeah - I need a partner like you - pricing and selling is definately the hard part and a lot of people tell me I don't charge enough - but there is the small detail of making a living and not everyone has a ton of money left over for art these days. I have a hard enough time with my self confidence without someone shooting me down. (guess I need one of those thick skins)

[dine]

I think I'd opt for some version of #2 - if you're not painting from live animals, it really does make sense that decent pictures to work from will mean a "better" painting. of course, it sounds like she'd bitch no matter what; for a dollar, and given the crap she provided, she should be content they're recognizably cats

what a frustrating experience for you - I'm so sorry you were landed with such a jerk as the winner

[klingoncat]

thanks - I know that I put in the work and tried to do a nice painting for her - it just makes me hesitate to do it again this year and that's sad because I raised a fair amount for the shelter.

[cattraine]

Yeah, the second with the letter. I am afraid I wouldn't be that polite, though.

I would flat out tell her that she got what she paid for with the crappy pics, and you were lucky to get anything cat shaped out of blobs. If she wants a better one she can now fork over two hundred dollars and provide decent photos. No free paintings for dumb asses.
Your time is valuable.

[klingoncat]

hah - I knew what you would say - and yeah - I am going to point out a few facts of life to her - I didn't spend all that time so she could bitch at me, I could have done a painting that I could sell instead of wasting my time on an ingrate. But it still makes me sad.

[inamac]

I'd do #2. Mail them back, apologise that you were unable to do any better given the source material

AND

As she's already admitted that she has better pictures I'd also put in my card and list of normal charges - just to underline the point that she's had your work virtually free. If she really wants accurate representations from better pictures she should be prepared to pay the market rate... She might even give you a proper commission.

[klingoncat]

yeah good idea - except that at this point I don't think I'd want to work with her even at twice my normal charge :) But I do like the idea that the another person suggested (her donating the full price to the shelter for me to do another) that one I might consider.

[munibunny]

Hmmm... I'd make it really clear that she provided you with absolutely nothing to work with so it's her fault that it didn't turn out to be the portrait of her little lovelies she was expecting. And, if she'd make a donation to the shelter that's equivalent to what your work is really worth, you'd be happy to do another one.

[klingoncat]

now that is maybe the ONLY way that I would work with her again - since it would really help the shelter out - but I'm pretty sure she's too stingy to even considedr it. good idea though.

[munibunny]

yeah, there's not way she'd cough up the cash but at least she'd know how much you're really worth. *g*