#guarmom talks

[guarmommy]

Artists Beware!

I had an unfortunate interaction with a user known as privfab8 (aka Phoenix Peter) on Instagram and I'm here to show why they're a liar and scammer. Every artist should be aware of them.

Privfab8 contacted me on Sunday, August 11th, and asked if I was open to doing art commissions, to which I replied yes. They wanted me to draw a cartoon portrait of their best friend, which I happily agreed to do. They later asked me how long it would take to complete a drawing and how much it would cost. I told them that a finished drawing usually takes me 4 days and a commission like this would cost between 15 and 25 dollars. I sent privfab8 a link to my Artistree page detailing all my commission prices. Everything started off normal and friendly. I didn't see anything wrong with this person at first glance.

Privfab8 asked me how I received my payment. I replied, Paypal. They explained that they do Cash App and Venmo but couldn't use both accounts because of a "dispute" so they offered to send me a check via bank app instead. Innocently, I agreed.

However, after that, things went downhill.

Privfab8 proposed they would give me a 100-dollar check and demanded whatever amount I had left to their niece. At that moment, I felt betrayed. I did not consent to any of this. I only wanted to do a commission for someone and get paid the amount I posted. But the person I thought was good turned out to be a liar and tried to trick me by overpaying me and giving money to a family member, playing me for a fool.

I submitted the finished drawing regardless, to prove I was the only honest person in the situation. I permanently ended the interaction by telling privfab8 that I wouldn't accept any future commissions and I would not take the check. Then I blocked them.

To any new artist who wants to do commissions, please be aware of people like privfab8. If you start feeling weird about someone, trust your intuition and don't interact with them. Block them. Report them if need be. I have learned my lesson the hard way and I'm sharing this experience with all of you so you all don't repeat the mistakes I made.