Larry Stroman: Reputable? 2 2

[gooch]

You're a good Dude K.

 

 

[Serendipity Art]

Well, here it is! Arrived safely.

 

Spider-Man, Nightwing & Strong Guy by Larry Stroman

[Bird]

Pretty groovy I think! Weird backgrounds, but it works well as a pinup. And Guido is so out of place, but a great choice as he was so integral to that X-Force run. Happy? I would be! But then again you got the runaround, not me, and that affects the happiness factor sometimes.

[Serendipity Art]

I know I posted a quick blurb and the link, but I was very happy with the piece and will display it proudly. Yes, it took a little extra to get it, but it didn't make my top 5 of unpleasant commission experiences.

 

 

[Murphy_5]

I commissioned Larry a few years back. I did the deal through Todd Johnson. It took a few months after his expected due date, but he did finish it. No real problem with dealing with him at all. Very happy with him.

 

 

http://www.comicartfans.com/GalleryPiece.asp?Piece=437461&GSub=43148

 

That Green Lantern piece is Awesome! Love the background!

[Murphy_5]

Well, here it is! Arrived safely.

 

Spider-Man, Nightwing & Strong Guy by Larry Stroman

 

That ended up pretty good! I loved his work on X-Factor back when I was a kid...used to love his Wolfsbane and Havok!

Edited August 28, 2012 by Murphy_5

[Baron]

That's tight. Glad it arrived.

[Edward-G-migration]

Guys, I am embarrassed to admit that I am in the same pickle as the original poster. After reading of the happy resolution of the commission problems with Larry Stroman, I reached out to him in November 2012. He was quick to answer and we agreed on the price for a set of commissions. I sent him a 50% downpayment in December 2012 and he said that the commissions would be ready "soon". Then he stopped answering all my emails. I sent one about once a month, so it's not like I was bugging him incessantly.

 

After I asked for a refund on April 9th, 2013, he finally replied saying that the art would be ready in 3 days. It's now been more a month and he's gone silent again.

 

I'm a big fan of Larry's work and so this behavior is really bothering me. What's more galling is that he's been posting art for sale on CAF. The last one, a Batman, was posted on May 10th (5 days ago).

 

I've since learned that another collector, from Spain, has the same problem. He paid Larry for an X-Factor commission in December 2012 and has not heard from him since.

 

Is anyone else having the same problem?

 

[Bird]

Last time I was in this mess, I reached out to Bleeding Cool and had my art in 2 weeks. Try it, you'll like it!

 

 

I just re-read the entire thread, man I posted a lot in this one! The guy BC helped me with was Seth Frail, whom I mentioned earlier in the thread.

Edited May 16, 2013 by Bird

[Doc McCoy]

I purchased the piece you're referring to. This thread stuck out in the back of my mind as I did so however. Larry was good with communication then and said it would ship this past Monday, so we'll see.

 

 

[Edward-G-migration]

JL, I'm pretty sure that you'll get your art. Another recent buyer of a pin-up (also a Batman) told me that it was shipped as promise. And prior to this, I did have a successful deal with Larry. A little over 2 years ago, I bought $1,300-worth of original art from him. After some delay in shipping (about 2.5 months) and a mix-up in the pages, the art did eventually get to me. I appreciated that he gave me the extra page that was sent by mistake.

 

Bird, how did Bleeding Cool help you? Did they contact the artist on your behalf or publish an article about the problem? If I find that there's even more of us waiting for commissions (I've also posted this story at Statue Forum for this purpose), it may be a good idea to work with them.

[Bird]

BC contacted the artist but did not publish an article. That was enough I guess.

[ImageFan-migration]

Escrow services and refusal of upfront payment are certainly great options to make the commission process equitable for both sides. However, this fails with certain artists who are rarely available for commission work, take on very few such tasks, and are in great demand where they can command terms and refuse any negotiations to the contrary. In such a situation, one is left at the mercy of the artists, desperate to the point where the initial payment is just a gamble on an investment that may never come to fruition.

[Edward-G-migration]

I'd heard of NSN Art's escrow service, of course. But I didn't think to use it as Larry and I did have a successful transaction a few years ago. That may be a good idea for other future commissions, though I'm concerned that it may offend the artist when you ask to work thru such a service.

 

Another option is to ask for delivery within 45 days. At least, I'd have the option of getting my money back via Paypal if the deal goes south. As JL said in another thread:

 

"I've seen way too many horror stories about two weeks turning into 4 years. I don't care how much I like your work, I'm not going to let that happen."

[Edward-G-migration]

Larry has just listed a Deadpool for sale on his CAF account:

 

http://www.comicartfans.com/gallerypiece.asp?piece=1015492

 

I've emailed him again to see he wants to resolve the issue of my pending commissions. I offered him several options, including a refund and credit towards the purchase of the stuff that he posts for sale. I realize I may be beating a dead horse here, but still hold unto a tiny bit of hope.

[Doc McCoy]

Received the Batman piece from Larry today. Glad to say it was very well packaged since we've been getting torrential downpours here in FL.

[alxjhnsn]

[Edward-G-migration]

I'm happy for you, JL!

[Edward-G-migration]

Hi guys, this thread (and the one at Statue Forum) is among the first that come up when you google "Larry Stroman commissions" so I wanted to give an update with my commission experience. As I've shared in my previous posts, it was a frustrating 6 months. For most of that time, Larry had ignored my emails while finding the time to draw and sell art on his CAF page.

 

I am happy to report, though, that Larry has come thru with 3 pieces that have exceeded my expectations in terms of their quality. Because of the beauty of the end-products, I am still interested in more commissions, but next time, will ask that I only send payment when his schedule allows for completion within 45 days (the period within which I have the option of filing a PayPal dispute).

 

Now please excuse me while I do my happy dance!

 

[RavenX-13]

Wish I'd read this before commissioning him over a year ago. Problem described in CAF link