jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I found myself in an awkward situation. A fellow ukulele player whom I see occasionally is a very good painter. I asked him if he could paint a scene on one of my ukes. I gave him some examples, and he said he'd do some sketches and get back to be in a few days. That was over a month ago. When I emailed him, he said he was busy with this and that, but he'd be ready to go soon. Today, he told the group that water pipes broke in his old house, and he's waiting for the plumber to arrive.

This is a very nice, kind, giving guy, but he was in a car accident when he was younger, and he has slight memory/mind problems. I want to remain friends with him, and I don't want to hurt his feelings or insult him, but I'd like to get out of this agreement. There was no money involved, aside from paying for his painting supplies, but he wanted me to promote his painting among uke players, which is something I wouldn't want to do, considering the delays.

Another consideration is what would happen if I give him the uke? Would I ever see it again? I know another very good painter whom I see at a painting group every week, and she would do a great job. Obviously, there's no simple solution to this, but I thought the collective wisdom of UHH might come up with something that's workable.

Thanks

Silverman Loc: Michigan

Hope you find a good solution and will not need to disappoint or hurt the feelings of this unfortunate handicapped painter, whom I am sure is a very fine individual and awesome painter.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

So do I. Technically, he's not really handicapped, but he does tell people that he forgets things and has to write things down.

fbeaston Loc: Vermont

I've been told I'm too direct sometimes, but the fact you're asking suggests you care about the young man. That's a great place to start. If my assumption is correct, then my suggestion is to go to him privately & just be honest. He may not recognize the impact of his actions but if he doesn't hear it honestly, then it's unlikely he'll learn. I think it's important that he learn giving your word is important & that based on his performance, you couldn't recommend him. Hard things to hear, but it's the only way he's likely to learn.
As an aside, you might think of a way that he can re-earn your trust which doesn't involve giving him your uke, but gives him a chance to recover your trust.

Canisdirus

If you have asked him to do this free of charge, you can't really apply leverage upon him.
I had a picture of an underwater scene from NG I wanted to have done.
Met a guy who I thought had the talent and attitude to do it.
He was young, and asked for $200.00. No problem I said and cut the check.
A month goes by, and I get a sheepish voice on the line... (Louis the artist).
He hems and haws around a bit, saying he had not counted on the complexity.
I owned my own business, and knew this dance, as I had heard it before.
I broke into him midstream and said... Louis, how much more do you need?
Relief poured through the phone..... $200(?) he said.
I'll make it $300 more Louis. I want you to enjoy and learn from this experience.
Which he did, and the painting came out fantastic. I allowed him to make prints.
A few years later I was offered 8k for the painting.... i declined...didn't do it for the money.

Bottom line: If you want his services and everyone to feel good about it ... open your wallet sir.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Good idea. Maybe i can find something else for him to paint. At this point, I'm afraid to give him my uke.

I know that if I say there's been too much delay, he'll tell me that he has just one thing to finish, and he'll to get to my project. That can go on indefinitely.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Why is this difficult?

You just say that you've reconsidered, no offense intended and leave it at that.

repleo Loc: Boston

Maybe just tell him to let you know when he is completely ready to do it. That it is your favorite uke and you can’t be without it for more than a week. If he doesn’t get back to you within a month tell him you realize he is very busy and apologize for imposing on him.
Maybe he skipped the meeting because he didn’t want to face you which would be a pity.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Lots of things are difficult for me. :

"Reconsidered" is a good term to use. I'll keep that in mind.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Thanks. "When he is ready" has been the situation for the past month, and I'm getting impatient.

DavidPhares Loc: Chandler, Arizona

👍

Najataagihe

No problem.

Buy a cheap uke and let him paint that.

So you’re out 30 bucks.

He gets to paint a uke, you don’t risk your good one and you get an example of his work.

If it is up to snuff and doesn’t take too long, let him paint your good one.

Just remember that a thick COAT of paint is going to deaden the sound by killing the reverberation of the body top.

The test uke will let you determine how much it affects the sound.

8)

machia Loc: NJ

Just say you changed hour mind about the musical instrument and ask him to paint something else.
You won’t offend him and all will be fine.

Collhar Loc: New York City.

I would think that would include a lot of people in this group. Yes, that would include me. Paper never forgets.

Country Boy Loc: Beckley, WV

Jerry, tell him you decided not to have your yuk painted but you would like to take a photo of his work and post it for many to see. That gets his work in the view of many and there is nothing wrong with not having your yuk painted.