I work three jobs. One of those jobs is White Noise Graphics. It is not a 'hobby'. My dream and goal is to get White Noise to a point were I can cut back to just two jobs (one being White Noise still of course) and still maintain the finances and paying of bills. And yes, been cutting back on the 'social/personal life' and 'lifestyle' as well, to the point I have practically none and do nothing but eat, sleep and breath my work to help facilitate and speed up obtaining this goal. Sadly it is a uphill battle where you take three steps forward then end up taking two back. You never feel like your making progress. And then there is how people treat you when they see your work versus when they hear you charge money for it.
Now do not get me wrong, I knew about this when I first got serious about this. Every artist goes through it. Some more then others. I get it. It's part of the trial by fire you got to pass to make anything of yourself in the art world. But boy does it hurt. I hear lots of people go "Oh you draw? Can I see?!" And when they see it, they express how cool it is and how jealous they are you can do this.
Then they ask if you can draw something for them. And of course you smile and nod and say. "Sure. Commissions are open. Here are my prices. What do you have in mind or how much would you like to spend?" And that's when they rain the barbs, shafts and arrows down on you. Most are polite and just go "Never mind. I apologize but I'm broke." That's cool. We all get short on cash time to time and other things take priority over art. Then there are the nasty ones. The ones that were singing your praises just two seconds ago. I have heard everything from "Oh never mind, your work really is not that good any way" or "Oh I thought amateurs had to do art for free" to "My 14 year old could draw better then an ancient old hag like you" (I know I have a gray streak in my hair but I am not even considered middle aged yet people and I still get high school truancy officers trying to drag me back to class and bartenders that think my ID is fake because there is no way I can be 36 years old so this response confuses me the most) or "Your drawing is immature and so poor quality that you should be thanking me for the chance to draw for me. In fact I will sue you if you deny drawing anything for me for free!"
Yes, some one actually really has said that last one to me before.
I know I am not as good as many other artists out there the same age as me or older. In fact there ARE a lot of 14 year olds that ARE way better. I have eyes. I can see this. The thing is I put my art aside for near 12 years to establish a safe foundation, to have a good job and a roof over my head that I own. Now I'm playing catch up. And in the year I have started taking art seriously again, my skills and style has improved in amazing leaps and bounds. Sure I'm drawing a few things others do not approve of (nude models, pinups and more adult work) along with the more 'safe' subjects now and it's cool if that's not your thing. I don't want to force anyone to buy something they are not going to enjoy. All I ask is people be more considerate when they ask an artist to draw something for them and don't ask if they are not prepared to pay a little for it.
No comments:
Post a Comment