Artist sues for payment
An artist from Chalk Hill is suing Debra Hardy for failure to pay for a mural she painted at Hardy’s home in Westmoreland County. Carolyn Quinn said she worked 1,430 hours on a mural in the French tearoom at Hardy’s home on Debbie Lane. According to Quinn, she logged 14,265 miles commuting between her home and Hardy’s home in Rostraver Township to complete the mural.
Hardy is the ex-wife of 84 Lumber Co. founder and former Fayette County commissioner Joe Hardy.
Quinn is seeking $75,000 in compensation for her materials, time and mileage, claiming Debra Hardy has not paid anything toward the project. Quinn admits in the lawsuit that neither an hourly rate nor a final price for the mural had been set.
According to the suit filed in Fayette County Court, Quinn and Debra Hardy entered into an oral agreement in January 2006 for Quinn to design and paint a wall mural at the home with a French dance theme. Between March 7, 2006, and July 12, 2007, Quinn completed a 10-by-15-foot mural in the tearoom featuring 29 full-length portraits of dancers. The mural incorporates Debra Hardy’s favorite flowers, as well as the furnishing, curtains and crown molding of the room, all in realistic detail and done with Debra Hardy’s authorization and consent, the suit claims.
Quinn worked varying hours each month from March 2006 through July 2007, with the totals ranging from 13.5 hours in November 2006 to 189 hours in January 2007. The listing of hours and miles traveled includes times when Quinn traveled to Hardy’s home, but was unable to gain access.
Attorney Daniel Webster filed the suit on behalf of Quinn on Tuesday. It is seeking interest and costs, in addition to the $75,000 compensation. Debra Hardy has not filed a response.
to the complaint.