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Bob Harvey
Byrne Robotics Member


Joined: 19 November 2014
Location: United States
Posts: 202
Posted: 20 October 2017 at 1:10pm | IP Logged | 1 post reply

Larry Stroman posted a "funny" story on Facebook yesterday. Evidently he's been keeping some guy waiting for a commission (judging by the comments on this posts, waits of more than a year are not uncommon, though the commenters seemed happy to wait that long), and that customer threatened to go public with his issues. In response, Stroman sent him a stick figure drawing.

I remember the Michael Golden "Patience is a Virtue" thing a few years back, but how common is this with comics artists? Or is it artists in general?


Edited by Bob Harvey on 20 October 2017 at 1:41pm
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Charles Valderrama
Byrne Robotics Member


Joined: 16 April 2004
Location: United States
Posts: 4716
Posted: 20 October 2017 at 1:23pm | IP Logged | 2 post reply

I'd think that artists would let their customers know how long the commission will take up front... and STICK TO the arrangement. (Especially if money has been exchanged.)

If Larry Stroman didn't do this, his customer deserves a refund.

-C!

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John Byrne

Grumpy Old Guy

Joined: 11 May 2005
Posts: 132129
Posted: 20 October 2017 at 1:25pm | IP Logged | 3 post reply

Artists as a species -- and I are one! -- tend all too often to assume themselves exalted above the steaming masses. Sad but true.
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John Byrne

Grumpy Old Guy

Joined: 11 May 2005
Posts: 132129
Posted: 20 October 2017 at 1:29pm | IP Logged | 4 post reply

Sub-note: on commissions, I do not promise a delivery date, but I also do not take any money until the piece is finished.

(One exception: Jim, my agent, asks for a 50% deposit from first time customers. Discourages the fakers.)

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Wilson Mui
Byrne Robotics Member


Joined: 27 June 2004
Location: United States
Posts: 4521
Posted: 20 October 2017 at 1:31pm | IP Logged | 5 post reply

I have only commissioned from five or six artists over the years, so my
experience is kind of limited. The longest I had to wait was nine
months. The artist originally promised me the turnaround would be a
month. It was only when I asked for my deposit back did he finally do it.

I think part of the reason was this guy was very popular and promised
more than he could deliver. He was also kind of disorganized and
unfocused at times, so everything took longer, in my opinion.
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Bob Harvey
Byrne Robotics Member


Joined: 19 November 2014
Location: United States
Posts: 202
Posted: 20 October 2017 at 5:31pm | IP Logged | 6 post reply

I've never had a significant wait, but I've also only commissioned stuff from artists that are relatively uncelebrated. (By "relatively", I don't mean in relation to Stroman, but as compared to current stars. I like his stuff, and had been considering a commission, but don't believe he's done any professional work in quite a while.)

Thanks for the insight, JB and all.
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Dave Phelps
Byrne Robotics Member


Joined: 16 April 2004
Location: United States
Posts: 4176
Posted: 20 October 2017 at 5:48pm | IP Logged | 7 post reply

Before I let myself get sucked into spending my disposable income on Silver Age Marvels, I got quite a few commissions from various folks (including five from JB :-) ).

Experiences varied - some came in earlier than they'd said, some came in right on time, some took awhile and some took a LONG while. The worst was one guy who said it would be "about 60 days" and I finally gave up on him about 3 years later. (Fortunately, he doesn't ask for money up front and he does convention sketches so I later got something from him.) Then there was the guy who was "almost done" several times over a six month period (but he eventually came through).

I would occasionally send check-in notes to the stragglers and everyone was cordial enough. In some cases, that apparently shook the inspiration loose because I'd go from reading a note saying "it might be another month" to seeing a scanned-in image of my piece a couple of days later.
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Joe Zhang
Byrne Robotics Member


Joined: 16 April 2004
Location: United States
Posts: 12857
Posted: 20 October 2017 at 5:53pm | IP Logged | 8 post reply

If this page is current (and official), the wait time for Mr. Stroman's commissions is supposed to be 8 weeks:

http://www.serendipityartsales.net/Stroman_L_COMM01.html




Edited by Joe Zhang on 20 October 2017 at 5:54pm
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Peter Martin
Byrne Robotics Member


Joined: 17 March 2008
Location: Canada
Posts: 15726
Posted: 20 October 2017 at 6:28pm | IP Logged | 9 post reply

Never had a problem with any artist.*





*The only artist I've ever commissioned work from is JB and he is a gem.
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Brian Miller
Byrne Robotics Member


Joined: 28 July 2004
Location: United States
Posts: 30832
Posted: 20 October 2017 at 6:42pm | IP Logged | 10 post reply

If Stroman really did that, he’s a dick. 
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Shane Matlock
Byrne Robotics Member


Joined: 12 August 2012
Location: United States
Posts: 1760
Posted: 20 October 2017 at 6:48pm | IP Logged | 11 post reply

Wow. I know Stroman probably felt justified because the fan threatened to out him, but that's a really crap move and I'm betting he's someone that really needs commissions to make a living so he's likely only hurt his own future revenue stream by pulling that. And if his website says there's only an 8 week waiting period, the fact a fan was upset that it's taking him more than a year seems pretty justified (especially if he paid up front).

I thought the Golden "Patience is a Vitue" thing was funny but that was also accompanied by a pretty damn good commission of Dr. Strange. Not stick figures.


Edited by Shane Matlock on 20 October 2017 at 6:48pm
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Brian Miller
Byrne Robotics Member


Joined: 28 July 2004
Location: United States
Posts: 30832
Posted: 20 October 2017 at 7:39pm | IP Logged | 12 post reply

That “pretty damn good” commission by Golden included the subject blowing a raspberry to the customer as well as a written admonishment to the commissioner. Hardly what was paid for. A total dick move. 
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