Ratalie 🧀🥼

PSA / ARTIST WARNING: Kinako/Kinak0_mitsu/KinakoOWO I want to bring attention to my experience with Kinako and warn other potential clients before they find themselves in the same situation. I commissioned Kinako for additional artwork for my model, a model for a friend, and a full-body illustration through VGen and Paypal starting in year 2025. I've paid over $1,000 and have been waiting for over a year on some of these commissions. I have received absolutely nothing. No sketches, no progress updates, no responses, and no finished work. Throughout this time there have been repeated excuses about being sick and now reportedly being homeless. I've tried to be understanding and give her the benefit of the doubt. However, she has gone completely unresponsive to multiple clients who have been trying to reach her for months. What makes this especially concerning is that she is still actively accepting commissions elsewhere. She continues to accept Skeb commissions and has recently created a DrawMarket account to accept even more work. She has also reportedly been completing newer Skeb commissions as recently as weeks ago. Meanwhile, existing clients are still waiting on work they paid for months or over a year ago. Platforms like Skeb and DrawMarket have payment protections that hold funds until work is delivered, which is why I think she’s ignoring us because she knows we can’t do anything about it. Those of us who paid directly through PayPal can’t initiate a refund past the protection deadline. This is not a new issue either. Kinako has had a long history of inconsistent communication and missed deadlines that all of us kept excusing because we were trying to be compassionate. Many of us have given her months and months of grace. I understand that life happens and personal circumstances can be difficult. But that doesn't excuse taking payment and completely abandoning communication with your clients while continuing to accept new work. At the very least, existing clients deserve updates and honest answers. If the work cannot be completed then refunds should be discussed. I'm now over $1,000 out of pocket with nothing delivered. I'm making this post because I don't want anyone else to end up in the same situation. Please be cautious before commissioning Kinako. If you're also an affected client I'd appreciate hearing your experience. I know I'm not the only one.