Feral Butler

ok, the shit has hit the fan. i created a scene at the wizard's temple. i was nice and conversational for a while. talked about shows i saw that I liked and why. they showed me some work they are thinking of exhibiting - i was very iffy. i said so. they asked me what i had going on - so i said i have this show/event the 14th of oct and some stuff in a german publication but that is all. felt weird, sorry i have no museum shows. he asked me what i was making in the studio. i said drawings. he asked if i was making any more long, tall paintings like the one everyone liked. !!!??!! give me a break. christ.

then, as i was leaving i asked for my money. he says he can't pay because the check will bounce. right, right, that's why he has an ad in art forum this month & a beautiful invitation for the next show. so i say "this makes me feel very insecure about our business relationship. you have to understand that?" he says, "i have put about 500,000 dollars into this and i'm not making any money." he says "artists are lining up to have a chance to show here." i say "are you going to be able to sell any more of my work? (there is none up in the temple - just some weird other stuff)" I say " listen, you made me feel bad and guilty that my show did not sell out - like it was my fault. I am sorry i am not super famous and selling work left and right, but i'm not and you knew that." (obviously this is his job, right?) ugly conversation continues. i asked "do you think i am being crappy by asking for my share of the sales? is that it? how long am i expected to wait?" i am getting aggressive. angry. I say "you will have to think about our business relationship" He says "i like your work very much, you know that". he said " we shouldn't be having this conversation now." i turned around and walked out in a huff. somewhat impolite. don't care.

So i was left with no expectation of when i would be paid, it is only 5,000. i mean, come on! I felt there was little apology. somehow it is not his fault. he looks at the assistant. i think i sort of accused them of bad talking about me a little (not professional but oh well. i am sure it is true) But the way i see it is if he doesn't pay up in the next few months i am out of there. clearly this is a waste of my time. if he is not going to be able to promote the work... or care to. if he sold something i wouldn't get the money anyway. right? i do not need this gallery representation for my ego - no way. i think i dropped enough hints about leaving that he must sense it. So i am tempted to write an email now, apologizing for creating a scene and spelling out my situation as i see it.... but maybe i should wait. i sort of expected to get one from him already.

what do i do now? wait a bit and see. arthur is already wanting to go in there and cause problems. i am not letting him. but here is my question. t he show ended in early june. it is now early october. what should be my next step?

i am in a group show in a few weeks, just one weekend event thing. should i say "courtesy of the temple" or not? if something sells he will receive none of it until he pays me - or we resolve this situation in an acceptable way.

strangely i am relieved to have got this out in the open with him. i have yelled at him before on the phone. for some reason i get very wild. ok, thanks for listening.