Yes, it's the old chestnut of 'Oooh I LOVE your work, can I have one/ will you 'just' do a quick sketch for me/ will you do me a favour ?!'
Now, don't get me wrong - I'm over the moon when anybody thinks my artwork is their cup of tea and they'd like to own it! It's a huge compliment and I'm always very grateful. I'm also a person that likes to help someone if I can and have indeed given out several freebies to people whom I choose to for various reasons. I am not a mean person! I also expect to be asked favours from family and close friends, and usually oblige - after all, family members who are plumbers/mechanics/computer genuises all experience the same thing and everyone helps each other. Not a problem. However, these requests for free artworks are getting more frequent of late, and even from people I don't even know and have never met!! Why??!!
It's actually getting me down; I start to feel that my art isnt so great then, if they want it for free but aren't prepared to pay for it. I also have bills to pay and unfortunately I simply cannot afford to not charge for my work - I have even been treated quite rudely when I have had to decline, which is even more upsetting and puzzling. I hasten to add, that I am not just expected to create the artwork for free, oh no! I am then expected to have the work printed, packaged and posted to them - all my own cost! Not only am I losing the initial fee as an artist, I am now out of pocket in materials and costs!!
I like to give folk the benefit of the doubt, in that it just hasn't occurred to them - we all love something for free, who doesn't?! Yet I wouldn't dream of walking up to a bricklayer in the street, who I didn't know; to compliment him on his house-building skills, then ask if he could just build a garden wall for me - as a favour! Sounds absurd doesn't it!
This has led me to raise the same topic with other artists and it seems it's a very common problem! Out of curiosity I investigated it further and came across a marvellous blog by a Surfboard artist Drew Brophy and his wife Maria. As well as writing very helpful artist articles, they include pitfalls and their own experiences. This particular piece, outlines their meeting with someone who claims artists should not be paid for their work 'because it's so easy' !
http://mariabrophy.com/business-of-art/why-artists-should-not-be-paid-for-their-artwork.html
Sadly this is a sentiment that is all too common; I've lost count of the times I am not perceived as 'working' because I'm 'only drawing a picture' . Being self employed actually involves much more than just sitting at a desk, doodling; you have to be your own promoter, salesperson, delivery person, book-keeper- the list goes on. So why then, am I expected to provide free work for these people?
Another good find was from an artist on facebook who posted this picture - it's spot on!
The time is long overdue to to carry out the good advice I've been given lately from other artists and from very nice friends......in simple terms: 'Start saying NO!!' This bothers me I admit, since being firm, is not one of my strong points and I worry about offending people. I just have to bear in mind that the same sentiment doesn't seem to apply in reverse when I'm being asked!
So there we are. From now on I will continue to do as many nice things for people as I can and still happily 'gift' pieces of art on my terms, but my days of being a door-mat must have their final farewell.
Strike Out!!
