Art is a labor of love, but when it comes to commissions, it’s also a business. Our tale today revolves around an artist who paints as a side gig, and a friend’s friend who commissioned a watercolor portrait. The artist crafted the piece, charged a modest $40, and asked to be paid when convenient. But the payment never came, and the drama unfolded. Let’s dive into this colorful saga.
A Commissioned Piece, A Pending Payment
The Art of Ignoring Payments
The Silent Treatment
The Unfair Game
The Ghosting Act
The Sudden Reappearance
The Artist’s Policy
The Rude Awakening
The Unhappy Customer
The Self-Reflection
The Afterthoughts
A Tale of Art, Money, and Unpaid Debts
This is a tale as old as time – the artist versus the patron. Our artist, who paints as a side gig, was left high and dry by a friend’s friend who commissioned a portrait but ghosted on the payment. After months of silence, the patron suddenly resurfaced, paid up, and demanded their art. The artist, who usually discards unpaid work, had luckily held onto the piece. But when they explained their usual practice, they were accused of being unprofessional. Now, they’re left wondering if they were in the wrong. Let’s see what the internet has to say about this artful drama.
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NTA. No professional courtesy in payment.
Standing up for yourself and getting what you deserve!
NTA. Charging for time spent chasing payment? Totally justified!
NTA: Uncooperative client wastes artist’s time, space needed after 4 months.
NTA. Consider selling unpaid commissions to avoid wasting materials.
NTA. Artist stands up for themselves against entitled client.
NTA offers money to throw out commission, sparking agreement and laughter
NTA for discussing unpaid art commissions; important to set expectations.
NTA – Artist stands up for themselves after being stiffed on payment
NTA, but protect yourself with a written agreement!
NTA: Unprofessional friends dodge payment, sparks drama and guilt-tripping.
NTA – Artist stands up for themselves and sets boundaries
Engaging advice for handling unpaid commissions professionally and with friends. ✨
“Jesus Christ. You’re an artist, but they also expect you to be long-term art storage AND art delivery driver? Send a message like, ‘I’m available after 5 every night this week, and will be home all day Sunday. Let me know what time suits you to pick it up. If it’s not picked up by Sunday, I’ll be discarding it and refunding your money.’ Is the portrait of them? Because they sound like they think they’re the centre of the world. NTA”
NTA, but the audacity of the ??? text is unbelievable
NTA, but next time set clear terms to avoid drama.
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/a090171e-5eb1-4f30-bb8b-06365704543e.png)
Fiery revenge! NTA burns commission and sends epic video
NTA. Epic clapback to unprofessional client.
Artist stands up for themselves and is not the a**hole!
NTA – Unpaid commission, blown off on delivery. No more effort.
Mechanic’s policy suggestion for unpaid commissions. Not the a**hole.
Unhappy client refuses to pick up commissioned painting.
NTA. Share your story on r/ChoosingBeggars for more drama!
NTA: Stand your ground and let them face the consequences
Artist calls out non-paying client, sparks heated debate
NTA: Fairness and rudeness collide in unpaid commission drama
NTA. Secure the bag and protect your art with upfront payment!
NTA, but consider a signed agreement for future commissions ✍️
NTA. Send back the money and wash your hands of them!
Smart move! Asking for payment upfront avoids unpaid commissions.
NTA. Don’t let clients take advantage of your time and talent!
Valuable time and talent, not a charity. NTA
Sassy artist stands up for themselves in unpaid commission debacle!
NTA, protect yourself with a contract!
NTA: Unpaid commission drama unfolds. Who’s really at fault?
NTA for chasing them down, they were unprofessional friends
NTA – Artist stands up against unpaid commission, no more effort owed.
NTA – Artist stands up for themselves against unfair client expectations.
NTA – Unpaid commission, delivery attempt, and now demanding immediate response? No more effort owed
NTA – No drama here, just an unpaid commission.
NTA, MeowMeowBeenz would sort out this drama in no time!
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/4abe89d5-5b4b-4dfc-9b34-232803a92185.png)
Savage response to unpaid commission: Bin it, punch it, profit!
NTA. Art is subjective, and commissions should be valued fairly.
Frustrating unpaid commission situation, but kudos for standing up! ✊
NTA. Karma
Not the a**hole. Drama unfolds over unpaid commission.
Don’t waste your talent on clients who won’t pay up!
NTA. Unprofessional artist sparks drama with unpaid commission.
NTA: Don’t be their art vending machine! Get paid upfront!
Unpaid commission policy in neon caps attracts entitled behavior
Creative revenge: burning the painting after returning the money
NTA, you did everything right. They’re ignorant and unprofessional.
Don’t waste energy on *ssholes. ♂️
Raise your price!
Burn the painting and send them the video!
NTA: Standing up for yourself in customer service
NTA: Charge them for late payment and storage if possible!
NTA: Assertive and professional response to entitled behavior. Reasonable and factual.
NTA. Get upfront payment and sell unclaimed commissions.
Turn unpaid commissions into cash! Don’t let them go to waste!
NTA obviously, how could you be? ♀️
NTA: Artist calls out client for refusing to pay commission
NTA conditionally. Artist’s unpaid commission sparks drama with a rude client.
NTA: Unpaid commission drama unfolds. Who’s really at fault?
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/f26c1f6f-35e3-4533-bf05-9b21e253579c.png)
Let it go and move on.
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/ec8e8416-d9fe-43b6-ba9d-23a3e489f00b.png)
NTA and Lol, people are awful
Assertive artist demands late fees for unpaid commission
Not the a**hole: Drama unfolds over unpaid commission.
NTA. Customer is being obtuse
Artist stands up for themselves and offers helpful advice.
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/d0a1d119-92e7-4650-b047-0971369da805.png)
NTA. No storage, no painting. ️
NTA – No a-hole here. Drama unfolds over unpaid commission.
Keep it to yourself: NTA or not, silence is golden.
NTA. Lesson learned: don’t expect custom orders without inventory.
NTA. Ridiculous expectations for a $40 piece. They can pick it up.
NTA, undisclosed issues fuel drama.
NTA: They ignored you, but got mad when you didn’t respond?
NTA – Not the a**hole. Let’s hear the drama unfold!
NTA! Double the price and make some extra cash!
Did you leave out crucial details? Are you the a**hole?
Not the a**hole. Entitled beggars strike again!
No contract, no problem! You don’t owe them a thing ♂️
Savage move! Playful revenge on unpaid commission.
NTA: Protect yourself with a contract, the other guy’s an a**hole
Choosing beggars drama: NTA sparks debate in comment section
NTA! They breached the contract and you still have the art!
