2024 Policies
*** DUE TO SEVERAL ISSUES WITH HOBBYISTS, I WILL BE AMENDING MY POLICIES - PLEASE WATCH FOR UPDATES ***
IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ ALL!
These policies lay out all requirements in order to book a commission with me. I ask that you read them through, ask any questions, and then fill out and submit the form at the bottom of the page in order to be considered for a commission slot.
I DO NOT purposely copy another artist's work! If you see a model you simply cannot live without and the owner will not sell it, I will not purposely copy the color or pattern onto the same body without it having very obvious differences - either in the pattern or even in the shade. This also applies to models I have painted for other people. I do not like to duplicate work done. Each model must be unique and vary either in shade or markings to make each piece an individual.
In order to best serve you, I work best from large sized pictures. Please be prepared to submit links to images so I know what you are looking for. I will do my best to come close to what you want, however, artistic license will be utilized as I see fit to work best on the model. Should you be unhappy with the resulting piece, I will complete ONE major change (color shift) at no additional cost. If you continue to be unhappy, there will be an additional fee attached for each additional hour I must work to make ONE further color shift. Please be aware, with the method I paint, such shifts affect the entire paint job and I do my best to meet your requests on the first try interpreting images as I see them. Computer monitors vary. I do calibrate my monitor and color correct all images of models I am painting prior to emailing to you so the images are as close to life as I can get them. I ask that you please send me large images to work from or I will interpret the colors and patterns as best as I can. What I mean by large is any image at least 1000 pixels long. The bigger the image the better.
In the event you receive a model and it is not to your satisfaction, because I do my utmost to alleviate such situations through emailed exchanges of images as I progress with your paint job, I do not authorize other artists to 'fix' my work. Without knowing the materials used, this can result in chemical reactions that can ruin paint jobs. Also, every artist works in different mediums and have their own unique styles that do not always mesh well together. Therefore, if you need me to do additional work on a model, there will be a fee attached but I request that only I do the work so all the materials and style of the work are indeed compatible.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL THERE BE REFUNDS! I do my utmost to meet your satisfaction however once I have completed a full paint job, if you are not happy for a reason beyond a technical one (meaning I will only address paint damage, unsatisfactory blending of colors or thin areas of color) and I have finished what you requested, I have completed the job. It is your responsibility to make sure my style meets with your vision for a completed piece. Complicated colors and patterns require a great deal of research and photos and open-minded artistic interpretation as well as a great deal of communication.
Alternate forms of Communication: Please be prepared to provide me with a home phone number where I can reach you. Email isn't full proof! I WILL NOT share your personal information/phone number with anyone and will only be retained for the duration of our transaction. I request this as I have on a couple of occasions needed to reach clients as emails were not working and extended periods of time had passed requiring me to use an alternate form of communication. I will also provide you with my home phone number once a transaction begins in case my email does not work (and I do ask that you not call unless it is urgent). Should you not receive an email reply from me within 24 hours, please try again. I do check my email twice a day for the most part and will reply as soon as I can.
I monitor my email twice a day and sometimes more often depending on work schedule. I encourage people to join my Groups.io group and Facebook group to receive important studio updates.
Turnaround time: Completion of models vary depending on my current work load, complexity of models being painted, and real life responsibilities. I cannot set time frames for completion but will do my best to meet your requests as best as I can. Please be aware I only paint full time during the summer and for a few hours each night and weekends during the time I am at my regular job. I also rotate through several pieces at a time to keep a fresh eye on what I am doing.
Models will not ship until paid in full. Final installments on time payments must be made within two weeks of completion.
ALL CT sales are subject to Connecticut sales tax of 6.35% NO EXCEPTIONS.
Cancellation or Abandonment:
NO refunds can be made.
I reserve the right to cancel and refund any commission transaction at any time.
If after six months I do not hear from you regarding your unpaid commission, the model will become my property, you forfeit all monies sent in payment, and I will reserve the right to sell the finished piece. No refunds will be offered after that time.
Shipping:
I currently ship all models double boxed and wrapped in bubble wrap and appropriate packing materials via USPS Priority or Express mail insured for full value of the model - no exceptions. Basic costs are running about $75-$120 per traditional model within the continental USA. Shipping quotes include cost of the model to ship through the USPS and a handling fee for cost of packing materials (bubble wrap, peanuts, and boxes I have to purchase). Metal "tool boxes" or other like boxes can also be ordered and foam lined - again, this is an added expense upon your request.
International customers - I am more than happy to work with you. All models are shipped via USPS International Priority Express Mail and customs forms will reflect the full value of the model - no exceptions. If you really require me to ship airmail, please know this will take longer and the potential for damage is higher and may not include tracking and insurance.
I WILL NOT be held responsible for items lost or damaged in transit. Should an item be received damaged, please notify me immediately upon receipt so I might assist in you filing a claim with the USPS. Please be aware that the item may need to be turned over to the Post Office before a claim is paid. If the Post Office does allow you to file a claim for cost of repairs, please contact me immediately to write up a proposal for costs of repairs. Should you choose to not file with USPS, I will be happy to do any repairs for a fee. You will be responsible for all shipping fees to return the model to me and for me to ship back.
Payment:
I will only accept Paypal ([email protected]) via Goods and Services. Personal checks are ONLY accepted from people I have dealt with before. In the event I agree to take a personal check and it bounces, you are responsible for covering the charges from the bank.
I will NO LONGER be accepting time payments. Due to too many situations in the hobby including two that have directly impacted me, I will no longer accept them. It will be your responsibility to set up an account with Paypal or a credit card linked with Paypal where I can invoice you for half of the full payment at the start of work and the remaining half will be invoiced upon completion - in both respects, you can pay Paypal back on your own time. Invoicing will be made when I actually start work.
Guarantee
Your satisfaction is very important to me. Please be willing to share all thoughts as the painting progresses. I purposely send large images that are color corrected on my monitor to be as close to life as possible. If you see flaws, please feel free to let me know as I appreciate a critical second set of eyes. I will do my very best to get as close to the color you want but require all customers to allow my artistic license to achieve a paint job that is as realistic as I can get. At this time I can only do "likenesses" of real horses. Model horses are not exact copies of your real horses and patterns from real horse to model horse can vary.
Any unauthorized alterations to my original work voids any and all guarantees made for my paint work. Alterations include addition/removal of paint or overspraying with another finish.
Booking Slots:
Upon start of work, half of the cost of the full commission will be invoiced and payment made within 10 business days of my notifying you of my being ready to start on your piece (NO EXCEPTIONS). Any payment submitted after work begins are non-refundable. The final half will be invoiced upon completion and payment MUST BE MADE within 10 business days after completion of work and mutual agreement/approval is made to the color/pattern. I will ONLY adjust payment schedules for those I have successfully done business with you before and completely at my discretion.
I do my best to adhere to my own painting schedule but things do arise - I will do my best to communicate status of your model with you at any time - feel free to email me - I don't consider it bothering me in any way. Pictures are sent as painting progresses and I require you to communicate your feelings about the piece at each stage. I do my utmost to stave off any issues with dissatisfaction before shipping. Although pictures cannot tell the whole story, I do my best to provide pictures with accurate color based on my monitor's calibrated settings.
In the event you decide you are not happy with the resulting paint job (either before I ship it or after you receive the model) and request me to start over, you will be entitled to ONE color shift but MUST cover shipping costs to and from. After that, any changes will have fees attached starting at $50 per change and going up from there depending on the severity. If I am asked to strip the model and start over, this will be considered an entirely new transaction and will not only require payment for a second paint job but $100 to cover cost of stripping and repriming. I strive to avoid these problems but I will not be responsible for someone changing their mind after I have started work or after you receive a completed piece. You may request progress images at any point although I do send them to you when I feel I have something to show you and ask you to give me your honest feedback. Although images are adjusted on my computer to be as close to life as possible, what you see digitally may not be an accurate rendition of the actual model since monitors do vary or if one hasn't been accurately calibrated. If you prefer hard copy images, a fee will be made to have images printed and mailed. I am also aware of issues viewing images on cell phones. Again, I do my best with my photography to give you clear accurate detail filled images of multiple angles of your model and it is up to you to thoroughly review them and send feedback.
IMPORTANT!!! After the model is completed and I do not hear from you after SIX months from notification of completion (I will not chase you down - I will email a total of two times one week apart before I send a certified letter of which the fee to do so will be tacked on to your remaining payment. I will make a total of two phone calls if you leave me a phone number to contact you via text or actual call. If I do not hear from you after multiple attempts to reach you, after six months, your model will become my property and I will sell it to recover my losses. Please provide me with an alternate form of communication in the form of an alternate e-mail, home/cell phone number, and a mailing address, or an alternate person to contact in the event of an emergency to avoid such situations. People get sick. Computers go haywire. Cell phones die. We all have unforeseen issues pop up that might otherwise keep us from maintaining communication, however it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to maintain communication or provide me with contact info for someone who can give me an update if something has happened.
In all events, ALL payments are NON-REFUNDABLE!
I also reserve the right to jump around in my bookings as inspiration and cooperation of colors hits me. I do work on a number of projects at one time but I don't always do them in the order I receive them. Sometimes a model's color isn't working as I wish or taking much longer on account of complexity and I don't like to rush into a project to jeopardize it not working to your satisfaction, so I ask that you be a bit flexible so I can give you the very best results I can. However, I do try to stick to the schedule as best I can and will strive to keep you posted on where you are at via private email and via postings on this website under the "In Progress" page.
Repairs/Policies regarding my painted works
I ask that all models painted by me in need of touch ups/repairs to the paint job be brought to my attention. I stand behind my work and would like to do any repairs myself. I DO NOT authorize other artists to alter in any way any painted model I have done UNLESS the model is over 10 years old. If a model needs adjustment, touch ups, repairs of any sort, please notify me immediately to arrange such repairs and/or adjustments. In the event that I cannot make the repair, I will inform you in writing to authorize a reputable person who can tend to your needs.
Good or bad, those adjustments are alterations to what I did and no longer a reflection of my paint work. I would prefer you not to alter my paint jobs and if you want adjustments that you let me do them - chemical reactions can occur when applying different materials that might not necessarily "play" nicely together and that can overall ruin the piece or cause yellowing or worse. Fees will be required for any alterations you want. I do my best to meet your needs and again if you require changes that I be the one to make them. For paint jobs that are over ten years old, I hold no issue to the model being stripped and refinished either by myself or another artist.
Redoing Mohair on previously done models
At this time, and as not to violate VARA rights claimed by the original artist, I will NOT redo hair on models done by Faye Cohen. I would prefer that the original artist authorize me to make such repairs and it will be your responsibility to obtain that permission. Models needing new mohair done by other artists, in the event that the original artist does not do such repairs, my rates are the same as quoted on the commissions page with an additional $10 fee for removal of the original hair in the event I need to do repairs to the underlying paint job or tail bone before applying the new hair.
Photographs:
I reserve the right to use images of models I painted for promotion. No images on this site, my Facebook pages, Pinterest or DeviantArt or any site on which I advertise or sell may be used, distributed or sold under copyright law. If you share images from my Facebook page, please make sure my name is attached to the post. If you send images of models I have painted from live shows, I will not use those images for advertising without your permission.
FINAL THOUGHTS - again, there are NO REFUNDS once work begins. If I have not started on your model and you must separate from your commission with me, please let me know prior to my invoicing you. A copy of this will be sent via email that you must digitally sign off on prior to my invoicing you for payment. In all situations, I will be held harmless for damages or loss of model in transit - all insurance claims must be made with the USPS.
After we have agreed to work together on your model, I will be sending a copy of this via email for you to digitally sign off on. Once I receive your digitally signed copy, I will reply that I have received your digitally signed copy and will proceed with processing your invoice for payment.