Artist needs skill in art of selling

Dear Annie: My husband graduated from a very prestigious art college. Early in his career, he gave away some paintings to close friends and family members.

Recently, he did a beautiful portrait for a family member who insisted on paying my husband. He happily agreed and quoted them a reasonable price. They told my husband they would get a check to him soon.

It’s been more than six months, and they haven’t paid a penny. It burns us up to see this piece of art displayed in their home. We know it was probably a mistake to give away his early paintings, but he is trying to rectify this.

My husband doesn’t know how to confront this family member without causing a rift. Help. – Artist’s Wife

Dear Wife: If your husband plans to earn a living with his art, he needs to stop allowing others to take advantage of him. He should send this family member a “bill,” saying he hopes they like the painting, that he has enjoyed seeing it in their home, and that he is looking forward to receiving the check for his first paid commission. He should remind them of the amount they agreed to, and ask whether they’d like to pay it by check, cash or an online transfer. And in the future, he should not turn over a piece of artwork until he has received payment in full. Otherwise, he will be giving very nice gifts.

Dear Annie: Here’s more on phone scammers: Beware of those claiming to be from “Windows” or something similar. Windows is a product, not a company. The scammers will get control of your hard drive and install a virus. Then they will con you into giving them a credit card number to install an anti-virus. Your computer will be wrecked.

Don’t ever give access to your computer or credit card numbers over the phone unless you initiated the call. – John