Hilarious Email with Local Designer

Good Evening Bryan, First of all, let me start by saying that I am sorry you felt the need to respond in the manner in which you did. My email to you was meant as a kind follow-up to our prior email correspondence, and therefore, your response in return was unmerited and a bit shocking.Second, let me also say that I am sorry for the misspelling of your name. As I'm sure you can understand, we are all human and this was a simple mistake.Anyway, as I said above, I was simply emailing you to touch base about the potential working relationship that we had discussed previously. Yes, I am aware that the correspondence occurred a few months ago, and I am happy to apologize again for the delay; but if you'll re-read my last email, you'll note that I had already cordially done so. I think it is also important to mention that after our last correspondence regarding the rentable artwork, I did not feel that you were awaiting an immediate response from me. I had mentioned that I would be happy to review the information regarding your works and pricing once I received the material and then look forward to working with you in the future - hence my follow-up email to you today.While I had reached out to you at that time, preparing for potentially needing art rental services, I have consequently not needed the art rental services during these past couple months. That is just sometimes how client projects go. I am unclear on how you cannot understand that.As far as your statement on pricing goes, I did not misconstrue your statement of "Since I am new to this, pricing would, I imagine to be whatever gets the job done within your budget." into something else. My statement of "I am unsure if your costs will be feasible for my (and my client's) needs, but I do appreciate you willing to discuss." was my own determination based on the information you had given me and my own analysis of my client projects and my business. My statement on pricing was meant exactly as it was written, but I will clarify it for you again in the following sentences so you can try to understand what I was saying - 'I am not sure if your artwork that has "a fair-market value of about $1500.00" should be considered for an artwork rental situation where artwork is typically rented on a monthly basis anywhere from $8-$20 a month. Instead, I think perhaps the costs at which your artwork (which is more highly-valued than I would expect of artwork to be used for these type of projects) would need to be rented for - for a number of reasons including the liability of possible damage - would be too much for the artwork rental budget on most of my typical home staging client projects.' Despite that conclusion, however, I understood your statement of "whatever gets the job done", and therefore I added a second part to my sentence that read "but I do appreciate you willing to discuss". To clarify what I meant here, I have included the following sentence - 'I am glad that you are happy to work with us to determine the pricing on your artwork for rent, and I look forward to having a conversation about it and see if we can come up with some numbers and go from there.'Now, I hope my exaggeration on the clarification of that one sentence counters your exaggerated response of it! Regardless, Bryan, the discussion about renting your artwork is mute at this point. After your extremely rude and highly unprofessional response this evening, I will not be giving my business to you. I do not appreciate the profanity and abusive nature in which you have chosen to communicate with me and feel very sorry for you and for those who must deal with you.Your statements about me and my business are unfounded and, in fact, very ignorant - you know very little, if anything, about me or my business. In truth, my business is quite successful and I have a strong client base of whom I treat, just like all of my contacts, with respect, communication and professionalism; which is more than you can say for yourself. And straight from the mouths of our valued clients and contacts, we have a lot going for us and, therefore, we will remain constant in our mission to continue bringing quality services and great client care to the residents of central PA to improve this city and its vicinity - contrary to your outlook, which is simply disheartening. Lastly, as a small business in the city of Harrisburg, I would never denigrate another fellow business, but instead encourage and support them. I find your email response to me very telling of the person and "professional" that you are, and I feel thankful that our working relationship ended before it began. Good luck in the future.Valerie--Valerie BetzStudioVB :: Interior Design218 Verbeke StreetHarrisburg, PA 17102717.884.8243www.studiovbdesign.com
On Wed, Nov 30, 2011 at 4:47 PM, Bryan Molloy <molloy.bryan1@yahoo.com> wrote:
Is this a form response? Glad you received the material, but I'm a little confused how my only mention of pricing:

"Since I am new to this, pricing would, I imagine to be whatever gets the job done within your budget."

... is construed by you into:

"I am unsure if your costs will be feasible for my (and my client's) needs, but I do appreciate you willing to discuss."

Also, along with the immesurate delay, the misspelling of my name, and the fact that all of this information is posted below in this very email, the only thing you have going for you is that you are a local small business owner. I am too, and even worse, we're part of the same industry. If you are smoking too much pot that's cool, but otherwise... get your shit together because we need to save this city and you are making us look bad. You had better regard your clients better than this...

Most Humbly,

Bryan Thomas Molloybryanmolloyart.com
From: Valerie Betz <valerie@studiovbdesign.com>To: Bryan Molloy <molloy.bryan1@yahoo.com> Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2011 2:10 PMSubject: Re: Rentable Art?
Hi Brian, I apologize that it has been a few weeks since we've communicated, but I have been quite busy and we had decided on a different solution for the project that I had contacted you about regarding the rented art. Nonetheless, I did receive your mailer with images of your rentable artwork. So, thank you! I will keep those on hand and be in contact should I be interested in using your artwork for a future client project. I am unsure if your costs will be feasible for my (and my client's) needs, but I do appreciate you willing to discuss. Again, I will be in contact as needed.Thanks again, Valerie--Valerie BetzStudioVB :: Interior Design218 Verbeke StreetHarrisburg, PA 17102717.884.8243www.studiovbdesign.com
On Wed, Aug 31, 2011 at 4:49 PM, Bryan Molloy <molloy.bryan1@yahoo.com> wrote:
Hi Valerie,

A great many of my best framed pieces are on display @ Gallery@Second, untill 9/10, right downtown next to the Firehouse restaurant on second st.. Others I have in my studio, near Costco on Jonestown road. All of the framed pieces except the bulk of those on display, are on my website, any that are framed are pictured in their frames. I am definitely open to renting work for public display in a professionally staged environment! I would appreciate if you could snap a few photos of each job that I might use (with credit and link to you) for promo. too!

Since I am new to this, pricing would, I imagine to be whatever gets the job done within your budget. My only consideration is that you accept liability for any damages that occur, within reason. My work has appreciated to a fair-market value of about $1500.00/appox. 30"x40", and increasing or declining from that on a size-based slide.

Please peruse the website and perhaps check out my show on second street in the meantime. Let me know of any thoughts on specific works for specific upcoming projects or definitely usable, universally acceptable works so that I can get anything I might need to ready for you.

I work part-time in the evenings at the Art Association of Harrisburg mon.-thurs. 4-9p if you would like to talk in person.

Thanks again,

Bryan Thomas Molloybryanmolloyart.com
From: Valerie Betz <valerie@studiovbdesign.com>To: Bryan Molloy <molloy.bryan1@yahoo.com>Sent: Wednesday, August 31, 2011 4:23 PMSubject: Re: Rentable Art?
Hi Bryan, Thanks for your quick reply! Yeah, I've been surprised at the difficulty finding artwork for rent!Anyway, I'm excited that you seem to be open to renting artwork for this purpose. I would love to have your complete listing and images of your framed works (including their frames) that would be ready and available for rent. This would be hugely helpful in the quick selection of appropriate art for certain projects. The dimensions of the pieces would also be greatly beneficial. Then, I am happy to select the works from that listing and inquire about frame options if need be.Also, just so you know, for home staging, the artwork I'm looking for would be subject matter that is universal and appealing to a wide range of viewers, so something like landscapes, botanical, abstract, scenic, still life, architectural, etc. You are welcome to send over the listing and photographs by email, but if the files are too large, snail mail is fine as well. In the meantime, can you give me a ballpark on pricing. Like I mentioned, I typically rent items for staging on a monthly basis, so I am hoping to do the same for artwork rental. So, let me know what you are thinking for a monthly rental fee. I'd like to know if this service is feasible for my client budgets.Also, in addition to having a listing of your available works, do you have an actual physical location that I could peruse the art in person, if need be? Just curious.Thanks so much. I am looking forward to seeing the artwork and hopefully working with you in the near future!Valerie--Valerie BetzStudioVB :: Interior Design218 Verbeke StreetHarrisburg, PA 17102717.884.8243www.studiovbdesign.com
On Wed, Aug 31, 2011 at 4:03 PM, Bryan Molloy <molloy.bryan1@yahoo.com> wrote:
Hi Valerie,
Thanks for the message. I can rent artwork. It isn't something I've had many requests for, but it is a great idea, and I always wondered why more artists didn't do it. I have many works framed and ready for display. I would also suggest canvas prints that can be printed on demand and even retouched, of certain sold or specific works. I have many frames on standby, but this may be a specific consideration to you, as a designer; as far as matching works to decor. I can give you a complete listing of all the framed works, along with pictures of their respective frames for you to reference. I will mail you a digital and hard copy brochure to the address on your email. Choose the works you require and send me an email for the rates and other details.

Thanks for your interest,

Bryan Thomas Molloybryanmolloyart.com
From: Valerie Betz <valerie@studiovbdesign.com>To: molloy.bryan1@yahoo.comSent: Wednesday, August 31, 2011 3:22 PMSubject: Rentable Art?
Good Afternoon, I had come across your website sometime in the past and had bookmarked it as a source for rentable artwork. However, when coming back to your website today, I was unable to find any information on artwork that might be available for rent.I own and operate an interior design and home staging studio and would be interested in the possibility of renting artwork for some of my home staging clients. This would entail selecting and then renting appropriate artwork, on a monthly basis, to utilize in the design and staging of homes for sale. I'm not sure if this would be a service you could provide. If you could please respond at your earliest convenience, I would greatly appreciate it.Thank you, Valerie--Valerie BetzStudioVB :: Interior Design218 Verbeke StreetHarrisburg, PA 17102717.884.8243www.studiovbdesign.com

Ben Franklin on the Paxton Indian Massacre

"That agreeable to the command of the prophet, they have "fought for their bretheren, their sons, their daughters, their wives and their houses."-That in this contest, many of them have lost their dearest relatives; their houses, their lands, their all; and from a plentiful independent people have been reduced to misery and want.

That they have been treated as aliens of the commonwealth, and denied a just and proportionable share in legislation: for that out of 36 members which the eight counties in the province send to the assembly, the three counties of Philadelphia, Chester, and Berks, where the Quakers are chiefly settled, return 26 of that number; while the 5 remaining counties, where these LORDLY RULERS could have no chance of getting elected, are suffered to fend but the other ten.

That by this iniquitious policy, the inhabitants of these five frontier counties, altho' a great majority, have been rendered unable to act in defence of their lives and properties; and therefore have lain for above eight years at the mercy of a cruel savage enemy and an unrelenting Quaker faction: Whereas had they been justly represented in Legislation, instead of presenting PACIFICK ADDRESSES to the Assembly, telling them that "the raising large sums of money, and putting them into the hands of COMMITTEES, who might apply them to purposes inconsistent with their PEACEABLE TESTIMONY, was in its consequences destructive of RELIGIOUS LIBERTY. Instead of doing this I say, -the first great Law of Nature, that of SELF-DEFENCE, would have been administered to the people upon the first alarm of danger, and the hands of the HARDY AND BRAVE would have been felt at Liberty, 'til they had taken ample Vengence of their MURDERES. That they have often, in the most supllient manner, laid their grievances before the Assembly; and instead of being redress'd, have been abused, insulted, and even by some members of that venerable House, deem'd as unworthy of protection, as "A Pack of insignificant SCOTCH-IRISH, who if they were all killed, could well enough be spared.""

-The Conduct of the Paxton Men, by Ben Franklin; signed, "-Dated from my farmhouse, March 17th, 1764; A day dedicated to LIBERTY and ST. PATRICK"

letter to William Hunt of Tinnitus Foundation

I have written a lot in my blog and on my websites. I have methodology on the magazine site, and lengthy descriptions on the gallery site.

Thanks for the interest... in art. I have discovered the same in my life, experientially, and at great cost, and learned in an academic, logical sense as well; that art is life's purpose. It's true that all of us are not artists, and that there is a real dichotomy for you to envy from within. Medical science does not give us enough time for all of us to develop into artists. We all have the potential... just not enough time, unfortunately. Another interesting dilemma is that not all artists are easily found as myself, some paint, some row boats, and some shuffle papers. Thankfully, technology has made it possible for hundreds more to become artists of some kind; while we demean modern convienience in favor of some nostalgic hippie -natural dream.

I worked many different jobs I was not thankful as most to have, because my heart had another duty. I used to draw everything I saw drawn. At the time, the Sunday comics mostly. Through imitation I arrived here. I feel I am at the top, living a dream. A strange compulsion was placed before me, and, guided by the most intense shame, I copied the world and all of creation. I had to remake the world, in most thorough deception; with little colored marks. I wonder what was wrong with taking a picture?

I've discovered also that my duty to this lie is part of the most longstanding instinctive past-time. My suspicion is that it is humanity's first word past a grunt and a howl; on our way to a future home run. We as people learn, to place appropriate chemical levels in their appropriate categories. As we re-embrace primitive impulses in the modern age, we re-learn the mistakes that leave art in the past and future. Art then becomes as confusing as love and anger; and rolls with the beast in the filth, forever attempting to squash the biting flies.

We would all do well to feel as you do. Art would have prevented tinnitus, and the war that causes it. One day we will no longer run from that old beast within, but will sit quietly and breathe. Our goal, seeming boring and dull today; ridiculous and slow, will be to smell the trees and feel the sun, again and again. And maybe paint...

Bryan