DarkArtist's End of the Line Thread

[Sined]

Re: DarkArtist's Creations of DOOM!

The idea with the list is great. But I'm not sure how it should work.
And the main thing - yes, it's starting Howse'ish here. That's the truth.
Some of us are waiting too long with this "It's almost done! Just doing final touch-up" promises. That's the worst thing.

 

[MaulFan]

Re: DarkArtist's Creations of DOOM!

Ok guys, we don't need to go around and around on how Josh or any of the customizers should handle their business, there isn't going to be a sudden change in how they do things, they've got a backlog of things they're working on getting through, most are trying not to lose work time for responding to all the emails/PMS/posts/phone calls they get because you can lose hours that can just as easily be spent finishing work.

Post if you're curious about what's going on with your comission, try to be tactful about it though.

Let's stop with the telling them how they should do things, it's not going to do anything but worsen their emotional and mental state and it's bound to hurt the work they're doing for you. Doing artwork requires a certain level of peace of mind to get into the "zone" and there are some things that get posted which are counterproductive to that.

 

[tbay]

Re: DarkArtist's Creations of DOOM!

The idea with the list is great. But I'm not sure how it should work.
And the main thing - yes, it's starting Howse'ish here. That's the truth.

I'm thinking we can poll everyone that has outstanding orders and just list it out. Josh can come in and give an estimate for when it's going to be complete.

For example one post (or maybe a new thread) will contain a list of all the outstanding orders from those who want an update. Those who don't care about updates do not have to be included. Here's what it would look like:

ebayarea-
1 Scully head repaint (sent Oct. 2008)
1 Indiana Jones head repaint (sent Oct. 2008)
1 Mulder head (sent Oct. 2008)

Sined-
1 - custom figure (ordered Oct. 2008)

The Craw
1 head repaint (sent 2007)
1 head repaint (sent 2007)


etc....

Just a suggestion

 

[DarkArtist81]

Re: DarkArtist's Creations of DOOM!

Not offended at all guys. I know my situation more than anyone else.. and I know I'm horribly behind. So don't worry about me, I know how everyone feels and it is justified.

I haven't been online for a while, and it's for good reason. Remember guys, it is the holidays and married folks like myself have a lot of responsibilities come this time of year. So I have to do that stuff. On top of that, it was finals time and I either had to work on that and pass, or come online... deal with this travesty... and fail. So I decided to focus on school.

Nobody has been HOWSED. And also, for those people secretly sending emails to people like Sined who call me out, do it here. Be a man, say it to my face. I don't want anyone to defend me, I know that I screwed the pooch here. It's my fault, I should never have taken it on.

Personally, I have already offered to send back everyone's stuff... refund money, trade my stuff to alleviate the time lost... whatever I can do to remedy the situation. I don't know what else to do.

Richalot, I haven't been ignoring you. I'll send your stuff back when I can, and I sincerely apologize for the entire mess.

I'm off of school for a few weeks, so I plan on focusing on the work to try and catch up. I don't know how much I can do, but I will try to do as much as I can.

 

[The Craw]

Re: DarkArtist's Creations of DOOM!

Let's stop with the telling them how they should do things, it's not going to do anything but worsen their emotional and mental state and it's bound to hurt the work they're doing for you. Doing artwork requires a certain level of peace of mind to get into the "zone" and there are some things that get posted which are counterproductive to that.

so it takes 2+ years to get in that zone? i'm sorry but i've been silent for the entire time i've waited patiently. people have the right to know where their stuff is. it seems to me that all the "old timers" on this board stick up for each other and seem to get away with anything they want and every time a new comer gets disgruntled they are label as "noob" and all the cat pictures start flying.

 

[MaulFan]

Re: DarkArtist's Creations of DOOM!

so it takes 2+ years to get in that zone? i'm sorry but i've been silent for the entire time i've waited patiently. people have the right to know where their stuff is. it seems to me that all the "old timers" on this board stick up for each other and seem to get away with anything they want and every time a new comer gets disgruntled they are label as "noob" and all the cat pictures start flying.

I'm not saying you don't have the right to wonder.

Post if you're curious about what's going on with your comission, try to be tactful about it though.

But all the "Josh should do this or that" and "let's make a list" is torch and pitchfork, unncessary mob behavior and it's polluting this site, anywhere you go around here now, the second something opens up like a "hey, where's so and so" people that hadn't said a word and ages suddenly come out of the wood work with all sorts of bright ideas on how these people could do things so they wouldn't have screwed them over.

My point is, they know they screwed up, pages and pages on how it should be done gains nothing for anyone but create an ugly atmosphere at this site and ruin things for other people, this is Josh's thread but things that go on in here can spread and affect the rest of the site too, I'm trying to look out for the broad interest of this community as a whole.

 

[DarkArtist81]

Re: DarkArtist's Creations of DOOM!

And a list is out of the question... unless administered by someone else. I don't have the time to try and sort it all out. I just know there are some very old commissions in there that shame me just to think about them.

Honestly, let me pose a hypothetical question here... If you guys were me, and you had everyone and their mother after you.. would you come online and suffer their wrath or instead work and piss them off with a lack of communication? I lose either way.

And if anyone calls me, or tries to call me... I will lose my ????. I will not be nice... I've already had a guy do that, threaten me.. the whole nine. I've lately had shipments lost, people putting paypal claims on me for a 3 day delay... it's not been pretty.

Here is the deal though, to try and fix this... My offer still stands. I will send back stuff to people, find out what I owe them and pay them when I can. If it was a full figure, I will send them the parts and refund them the commission fee. So at least they will still have an unbuilt figure to work with.

I'm just on the brink here, it's threatening my sanity. I start to shake when I log on here, it makes me so angry to be behind. I've all but cut out all internet activity because I don't want to have people after me or to seem like I don't care about their stuff. I've sold over half of my collection, I've done what I can with what little time I have every day and it still is not enough.

I should have been smarter, I should have realized that school would cut back my painting productivity. I should have realized that offering figures in bulk was a dumb idea for one man to tackle. But I was stupid, plain and simple. I thought it was manageable, I thought I could do it. I was wrong.

I've suffered for it. I've paid in blood, sweat, tears, money... gray hairs earned and friends lost. I'm still suffering for it. Ask Joe, Nate, or any of the people who attended my party what my collection room looks like. CHAOS. It's near empty and crazy to look at...

Bottom line, I am a failure. I've failed you all, I've failed myself. I can only apologize so much for it, I can only try to whittle away at the work in hopes of finishing.

As for my friends, don't defend me. Let them tear me apart, I deserve it. I'm an idiot, I screwed up big... and I deserve every ounce of hatred for what I've done. So lay it on me guys, do your worst. But don't be surprised if you can't find anything to tear away, or if I am gone from this site once this is all done...

 

[MicroJow]

Re: DarkArtist's Creations of DOOM!

Seriously, Josh - thanks for dropping in! Would you like us to try putting together a list for you? Would that be productive for you in any way, or do you think it would be counter-productive? I can't speak for others, but as far as I'm concerned, this board is a community and communities exist to help each other. If sitting quiet and patient is what you need from me, then consider it done. But if there's something I can do from here on the opposite side of the country, just lemme know!

There are three ways I could see a list as productive:

1) It would show everyone exactly how much of a workload you have and help them understand why things are taking as long as they are,

2) It would help you stay organized,

3) As items are finished and shipped, it would give validation to both you and those waiting that things are indeed getting done.

Again, just let us know and we'll all see what we can come up with! Only things we can't do are alter time, speed up the harvest, or teleport you off this rock.

- J

 

[DarkArtist81]

Re: DarkArtist's Creations of DOOM!

Thanks man. I really appreciate it. If it will help, I'm all for it.

I honestly don't know what to do anymore. I know that once I am done, I'm done with everything related to it. I won't be here or anywhere doing what I do now. This whole mess has sapped me of all love for the hobby and everything related to it. I honestly can't deal with the stress.

 

[Sined]

Re: DarkArtist's Creations of DOOM!

Again...So as I can understand from all this post's, after another portion of waiting, 2 months more, there is still no progress with my Remake Jason's that was promised to be ready in april 2009? Nothing & some abstract:
"I will send back stuff to people, find out what I owe them and pay them when I can. If it was a full figure, I will send them the parts and refund them the commission fee. So at least they will still have an unbuilt figure to work with."
OK, how should I contact you for details, if you ignoring every e-mail & PM?

 

[galactiboy]

Re: DarkArtist's Creations of DOOM!

Sorry dude, I'll still defend you

As for the state of his collection room and I can vouch for that. He's got a lot of stuff he's working on for other people, and not much that is his own collection.. and since I've been there he's had to sell even more of it.

I know Josh will come through and he is not a "Howes". Howes was all excuses... Josh is being honest and up front. The situation sucks, but insinuating he's a scammer is out of line.

 

[DarkArtist81]

Re: DarkArtist's Creations of DOOM!

Thanks Joe, I appreciate the support bro. It means a lot. And you are right, I am not a scammer. I would send everyone their stuff, send them freebies, send them my figures, pints of my blood, and personalized letter of apology if I could. I just want to be free of this burden and forever disconnected from this hobby and everything that reminds me of it.

And Sined. Just post here to let me know anything. I'm not "ignoring" you or anyone, I just do not check my boxes because of sheer volume of responses and various emails. I don't go on there often because it kills my desire to do anything but sulk and wish I were dead. So instead of sitting here with a shotgun in my mouth, I can actually work.

Your figures are very close, the jackets are done, heads 90% there, just need eyes. They just need dremel work, building and weathering. If you want them as is... POST HERE, and I will send them as they are. That goes for anyone. Just post here, and I will PM you inquiring for address, etc.

 

[Restaurajones]

Re: DarkArtist's Creations of DOOM!

Thanks man. I really appreciate it. If it will help, I'm all for it.

I honestly don't know what to do anymore. I know that once I am done, I'm done with everything related to it. I won't be here or anywhere doing what I do now. This whole mess has sapped me of all love for the hobby and everything related to it. I honestly can't deal with the stress.

NEVER NEVER NEVER, LOSE YOUR LOVE FOR THIS HOBBY. All has solution.

If there's one thing I admire in a person, is sincerity, courage to admit mistakes. Cheer up and take off that signature. Here are people who can help. I ,at first, did interested list with members and was updated with the date of payment, date sent, date received, in the first post.

You need to work in little steps because one person can not assume such responsibility. I also I felt overwhelmed when I had to make too many orders.

 

[tbay]

Re: DarkArtist's Creations of DOOM!

hey josh, just wondering about the status of my repaints, i sent you a couple of pm's but didn't realize you haven't been checking your box.

i know you offered a refund, i'd be interested depending on how far they are away from being completed. just let me know on pm or in this thread. i'd be willing to pay shipping to help you out. let me know. thanks

 

[MicroJow]

Re: DarkArtist's Creations of DOOM!

One last post before I wait for a moderator to chime in on the list idea:

Josh, please stop posting about how you've failed us and yourself. You've only failed when you throw up your hands and, to use the phrase, "Howesed" us. And I don't believe you're going to do that.

Saying things like that are only going to get you even more down in the dumps and make people worry that you're not coming back. Keep a positive and fighting outlook, always. I know that sounds near impossible when you've got an angry mob throwing stones, but, at least on this message board, they're only words.

I'm an artist, too, and after the first couple negative reviews of my work, I nearly quit. But I kept at it because I'm bullheaded, perhaps a bit stupid, and most of all, I enjoyed it (for the most part.) And now, over eight years later, I'm proud to say I've produced an incredible body of work (an online comic strip which I published daily for the first five years and 5 days a week thereafter) which, according to my tracking, is read in over 20 countries with over 1000 readers daily. Mission accomplished, I'm entertaining people! But if I'd given up early on because I got depressed, the whole thing would have ended after only a few months.

I'm not saying it's EASY to kick off the negative feelings, but if you let 'em fester it's all over.

Don't let this fiasco get you down, learn from it instead, and let's start finishing some art!

- J (who needs a cheerleader smiley)

 

[Sined]

Re: DarkArtist's Creations of DOOM!

Josh, maybe it's language barrier again & I just can't understand, but now you are telling that they almost ready?
If yes (oh man, I can't believe it...) - tell me when this will be finished & PM me some e-mail that you can read. You know me - I never sent you 1000 of e-mails or smth, I always was a calm & patient. I JUST NEED SOME UPDATES & word from you like "Hey Denis! Me again! I'm OK and your Jason's will be ready in *truly answer* + some actual progress photo's". That's all.

 

[Badism]

Re: DarkArtist's Creations of DOOM!

I'll also vouch for Josh, he's no scammer. I don't know how long it'll take, but you WILL get your stuff and it'll be good.

I bought two great Michael Myers figures off him and they are better then anything I own that was mass produced. Someday, when this is all past him I'm going to talk him in to a couple more figures.

 

[kl241]

Re: DarkArtist's Creations of DOOM!

I have pmed you too but you haven't responded. You told me that Evil Dead II Ash was almost done in August and he would be ready in October or November. That has been over a year, I was patient and haven't bothered you since and now it December 11th...

 

[DarkArtist81]

Re: DarkArtist's Creations of DOOM!

Thanks guys. And Kevin, I'm very sorry that I haven't responded. I haven't checked my PM box, and when I do I often don't respond to everyone as quickly as I should.

I know that Ash was supposed to be done already. I've hit snag upon snag with that project, it's been a nightmare. The heads are casting without noses, or severe bubbles. The chainsaw is casting horribly as well. So it's really screwing up the whole set, I haven't been able to get it straightened out. I'm still trying to find a way around it, and should know something soon. When? I honestly cannot say.

 

[uscmhicks]

Re: DarkArtist's Creations of DOOM!

I seen this coming. Josh is actually posting here and thats what matters most I would think.
Josh , your not a failure , you just made a mistake. A big one maybe but still a mistake , everybody makes mistakes.
I have on order my Ripley head , Vasquez head , a Myers figure , full remake Jason and the painted up 1/6 Lonnie terminator.
I've never been in a rush to get them since after being brought deeper into this hobby with mainly Pitu's videos that led to yourself and Les and with al the overwhelming support in all your threads those months ago I felt fully confident to order what I did.

After all this mess I still feel 100% confident I will recieve my stuff and thats because whilst the custom stuff was being discussed in the other parts of the forum you've spoke to myself and others as friends. I've seen you on Pitus videos and you've made friends through this hobby after many many years.

For anyone who even thinks Josh may be getting close to what Howes did think of the differences for a moment. Josh has met people from here in person , hell , hes threw partys with them ! . This hobby means ( or did mean ) alot to him.

I can't even imagine how hard it is going to be to get through all of this Josh.
How many heads on estimate do you actually have left ?. How many full figures to do ?.

I think talking about small things like this , maybe trying to update more often and posting only in this thread regarding orders would be the best way to cut down the mass emails and also cut down the stress.

If you think its going to take alot more time for every order to be done and out the door maybe one day instead of working create a list and add the status of each order. Then go through it like a list changing the status once its done. Or something similar to this.
Do them in order to so people know there getting closer to having there stuff.
This should stop alot of emails and questions.

Thats just an idea though , regardless of how you tackle this I hope you can get it done quickly mate.
Keep up the great work and if you need any help with shipping once my stuffs ready to go , let me know and I'll probably be able ot help out.

Tay