To continue off the post my friend made yesterday about people asking for things for free when it comes to your art, and how I said that you realize you have two types of friends (and family, actually):
1. The kind that’s like, “Oh man that’s cool that you can do that you should give me something.”
2. The kind that’s like, “Oh man that’s cool that you can do that how much is it I should buy it.”
The frustration also lies in the fact that it’s not like we’re making a bunch of money, you know? Not right off the bat, anyway. This is a career path that you constantly work at, because you have to keep putting yourself out there, and you have to keep trying to make something out of it. And you’re constantly worrying about what price you should set your product to and if it’s too much, or too little, or how to get it to sell, how to pitch it to people, how to make it stand out, and all sorts of things.
It’s nice to have friends who see that. It’s nice to have family that gets it.
Example being: my books.
I had two types of reactions from people in my family. One was this: "Hey your book just came out that’s great when do I get my copy?“
The other was this: "Hey your book came out it’s already on my kindle.”
Which one do you think meant more to me?
I mean hell, my own parents didn’t even ask for me to give them copies. They weren’t like, “We expect to get our copies on day one from you,” they were like, “Already reading it. When’s the physical copy so I can buy that and get you to sign it.” But I have family members and friends who were like, “When are you going to send me your book so I can read it?” Uh… I’m not. Go on Amazon and get it yourself like my own mother and father did. Hell, my mother won’t even lend out her copy to anyone she tells them to go and buy it.
It’s about showing support, you know? Sure when I was little and I wrote something or drew something and someone was like, “Wow can you draw me something?” I was like, “Sure!” Because back then it was just neat that someone liked my art enough to want it. But now it’s different. This is me trying to make a career out of what I love to do. It’s not nearly as flattering to hear, “Damn that’s cool let me have it,” as it is to hear, “Damn that’s cool how much is it?"
If I decide on my own to make you something, that’s fine. This generally happens around birthdays or Christmas, or if I just think you’re awesome (i.e. voice actors and that sort of thing, people I admire and people I’m just a fan of).
It’s nice to have friends and family who can respect that this is a career instead of being pissed that "I haven’t gotten my coaster yet.” No, you haven’t, and you probably won’t, stop treating this like some hobby. I’m not 13 anymore, I’m not just doodling in my notebook for the hell of it then willing to rip out the page and hand it to you.
Not only that, but this is my partner’s business too. Just because she makes me costumes doesn’t mean she’s going to make costumes for everyone we know for free. Like, “Damn girl I should have you make me something,” no. No. You can certainly have her make you something, here’s how much it would cost, we ask for half the payment up front. That’s hundreds of dollars, no, we’re not just giving that away. Even my own cousin came to me with a costume AS A COMMISSION! As a, “how much would this cost,” sort of deal. Then again he’s got his own business too that he’s trying to do so he gets the frustration of those family and friend calls of, “Hey why don’t you give this to me?”
No.
The thing that really irks me though is that any other profession and people would understand. If my best friend was a doctor, and I walked into the office like, “Hey I know I don’t have an appointment but I need you to check this out for me. Oh and no I’m not going to pay for it, we’re friends right?” That sounds ridiculous, right? (not saying that this doesn’t happen to doctors I can’t speak for them, just making an analogy). But you get what I mean. For some reason I feel like with the creative field it’s like, “Now you know you can make him that thing and just give it to him,” and that’s not cool at all.
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Okay I know I’ve made a lot of posts today but that thing about “Well if you’re not willing to make art for free I’m gonna take my business elsewhere” just made me really mad like
Business?? What business? You’re not offering to pay! Why would anyone want to do that? Artists are people and they need to eat and pay rent just like anyone else.
“It will look great in your portfolio!” Yeah, no. I’m so done with that shit. You want my work, pay me. I’m not handing out freebies here. My time is valuable. Unless I love you a whole awful lot or am REALLY excited about the project itself and/or the prospects it could lead to (or if I explicitly state that the artwork is a gift to you)… no.
Everyone, repeat after me: Art is WORK. And just like any other type of work, I deserve to be paid for it. Maybe I’m just bitter about commissionees continually bailing after I tell them my prices, which aren’t even that high (some of them have even gone through the initial planning stages and then I never hear from them again) but come on now.
If you have asked an artist doing their best to work in a professional capacity (because there ARE artists out there who want to keep it a hobby and that’s fine too) to do something for you for free, I want you to consider something.
How would you feel if you were told, day after day, that it would be in your best interest for you to take a job that requires massive amounts of time and effort, and then not to be paid for it? That you should be grateful for the opportunity and that “maybe next time it will lead to a paying job”, and then the same fucking thing happens “the next time”?
Pay your artists, or do without. Experience doesn’t do jack shit to fill a belly or keep a roof over your head (unless roofing and set repair happen to be your specialty.)
Reblogging for truth.
I always say that, as an artist/writer/creative person, you discover that you have two types of friends.
1. The kind that are like, “Wow that’s really good YOU SHOULD MAKE ME SOMETHING!” Or, “Where’s my thing? You haven’t made ME anything.”
2. The kind that understand that this is a job, a career, and when they want something from you they PAY you for it and they DON’T EXPECT TO GET IT FOR FREE just because they know you.
(via shinitama-deactivated20190102)
Anonymous asked: You're welcome! And... you raise a good point, there. OK. I guess you should keep on going and being fabulous and you can consider yourself squished? ^_^ Also, you and your wife are SO AMAZINGLY TALENTED. So... keep being awesome? ^_^
Kyah why are you so sweet? *hugs* Thank you, anon! And hey I spelled “thank” right that time yeah!
Anonymous asked: OK, seriously, you just have to stop. YOU ARE SO PRETTY. And you have the best smile. And seeing your smiling face on my dash always makes me smile, too. And maybe squee a little bit. And want to squish you. So. Yeah. ^_______^
But how can you squish me if I stop anon? I must continue on my quest for optimal prettiness!
Seriously though that thank you so much for your kind words <3 *hugs*
(shut up I know how to spell things I totally said “thank” to begin with!)
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Who is this pretty lady? Why, this is my wifey! Also known.as the one who makes my costumes, the one who makes me feel pretty, the one who makes the hats and plushies and things, my coauthor for “Seeking the Storyteller,” the one who drives us to conventions, the one who deals with my video game madness, the one who chuckles when I spaz over anime, and a bunch of other things that didn’t come with the job application of putting up with me.
And today is her birthday.
So HAPPY BIRTHDAY WIFEY! I love you :)
So I woke up to see that the ridiculously talented Sarah Fong is at a con, rockin’ out the Naoto hat she got from our Etsy shop! Kyah it looks so great! What a perfect Naoto <3
So we’ve decided to list the hat again. The reason why it doesn’t stay on the shop is because it’s actually our best selling product (though the Phoenix Wright hat is catching up!) There is a bit of a wait, but if you need it sooner you can let us know. And if it’s not on the site and it’s sold out, message us anyway to see if something can be worked out :)
Interrupting your tumblring with Clayton the kitten who has decided to interrupt my crafting. INTERRUPTIONS!