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Tuesday, July 6, 2010

I was never paid for the sale of these paintings.

*** UPDATE: I had to remove all reference to the galleries involved as they have threatened legal action against me.
wowz. =-(

Artists (and art lovers) beware!
I have not (and probably will never be) reimbursed for the sale of this painting:

or this big ol' framed drawing:

The paintings were sold at the Aqua Art Fair in Miami during Art Basel in Dec 2008.

Photos of the paintings at the art show:

(The guy in the hat is an artist that I really admire. He had nothing to do with this -he just happened to be in the photo- so I blocked out his face.)

More info here:
((deleted))

They sold my art, kept the money, and washed their hands of me.
=-(
Has this ever happened to you? What did you do?
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12 comments:

  1. davJuly 6, 2010 at 12:18 PM

    I don't know what you should do, but I sympathize. That is truly icky thing they did to you.

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  2. chantalJuly 6, 2010 at 2:02 PM

    This is disgusting. I hope you take legal action. As a fellow artist, you have my condolences and I hope somehow you come out of this situation with the money that is rightfully yours.
    best of luck.

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  3. Jennifer Davis ArtJuly 6, 2010 at 2:11 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  4. Holly Loves ArtJuly 6, 2010 at 7:44 PM

    What a horrific thing to do. Karma... it will undoubtedly happen for them. I’m' so sorry. I am such a fan of your gorgeous work and have been fortunate to see it in person while it was here in Culver City. Keep making your beautiful work and more good things will come your way.
    Take care,
    Holly

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  5. PeppermintDaydreamsJuly 7, 2010 at 2:32 PM

    What a bunch of creeps!!!

    Sorry this had to happen!

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  6. JenNowakJuly 8, 2010 at 9:26 AM

    My husband bought a painting of yours last fall from Cerasoli. I hope you were paid for it. It is a beautiful girl with black hair and a french horn. Her arm is attached to the french horn, but not her body. We love it, but it would make me so sad if you were not the one to benefit from its sale.

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  7. Jennifer Davis ArtJuly 8, 2010 at 10:06 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  8. UnknownJuly 14, 2010 at 11:29 AM

    I haven't really sold anything yet, but what I have found out is the power of the internets. Advertise as much as you can, and before you know it people will be spamming this guy with insults and demanding you get your money. Pretty much all the bad PR will make him pay you. You have great art and a loyal following, use it ;)

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  9. christinebrennanarts@gmail.comJuly 16, 2010 at 11:09 AM

    Did you have any written contract with them? there used to be an organization called Lawyers for the Arts (I think centered in LA) you could try googling them. I would at least see if you can get a lawyer friend (someone out there may be willing to do trade) to write the gallery a letter. I have had bad experience where I had to take someone to small claims. But you have to gauge how much time you want to spend on it. I only did it because someone (a lawyer who had collected my work) was willing to help. Best of luck. (they have to live with themselves).

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  10. Margaux LangeAugust 3, 2010 at 12:30 PM

    I'm so sorry to read this Jennifer, I'm a HUGE fan of your work. My advice is to not let them bully you into not talking about this! You have absolutely every right to disclose their name and their gallery online, they can't sue you for that. YOU ARE THE VICTIM! If you do not publish their name, you're letting them win and ruining what may be your best opportunity for getting paid!

    Talking about them and their lack of payment does two things: 1.) hopefully it will prompt them to pay you and FAST! you can offer to remove the negative posts about them after you've received payment 2.) prevents other artists from experiencing the same heartbreak with this good-for-nothing gallery.

    There are many great posts on this very topic on Harriete Estel Berman's blog, worth checking out for advice:

    http://askharriete.typepad.com/ask_harriete/2010/06/help-my-works-been-sold-and-im-not-being-paid-what-do-i-do-a-lawyers-answer.html

    and here:
    http://askharriete.typepad.com/ask_harriete/2010/06/good-galleries-gone-bad-artists-need-to-be-a-voice-for-change.html

    and here:
    http://askharriete.typepad.com/ask_harriete/2010/06/good-galleries-gone-bad-6-steps-to-take-if-your-gallery-is-not-paying-you-on-time-by-victoria-l.html

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  11. Jennifer Davis ArtAugust 3, 2010 at 12:34 PM

    Thank you, Margaux! I will look into those sites.
    The Gallery that sold my work was called
    Cerasoli: LeBasse.
    They split off into two separate galleries and several artists were not paid for works sold during the partnership (in 2008.)
    I'll leave it at that for now.
    ;-)

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  12. Sue's thoughts about Social MarketingAugust 22, 2010 at 12:11 PM

    Jennifer - I am horrified to learn about how you were treated. I live in Washington D.C. and there is an association called WASHINGTON LAWYERS FOR THE ARTS. I've never used them, but they show up at lots of events. I think you can google them. Otherwise, I think we need to do a full-court press PR campaign to expose them.
    Hang in there. They only stole your paintings - not your talent or your fans. ~Sue Wood

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