If you are an artist, or happen to know an artist, you might already be familiar with those "make something for me" requests from those around. I get these requests from neighbours, colleagues, relatives and even friends almost all year round but the holiday season is the worst! That is why I posted the following story on my Instagram on behalf of myself, and all the artists out here who are trying to create a career out of their creativity.
Since it was quite a long rant, I did not expect many people would even read it on my Instagram stories but the response I received from my followers motivated me to publish it here so that it can reach as many people as possible.
I didn't think many people would want to read this because even people from among my followers have done this. "But it will only take you like, five minutes!" "But you are my friend!" "But this is not even real work, you just play with paints and craft supplies all day!" So, I felt obliged to warn my followers that a long text rant was coming up.
It all started when I was browsing photos in my phone when I saw this picture of my paper cuts I sent my mom on New Year's Eve trying to convince her I was actually working on some commissioned cards and in fact, not our partying.
I think it is something we don't even think about most of the times. We just do it without much thought and ask our painter friend to paint our dog or a photographer friend to shoot a portfolio. But this affects the artist and their outlook. At the end of the day, we are people just like you trying to bring home some bread by doing what we are good at.
Being an artist means there is always someone out there creating better things than you. Often this leaves us already struggling with "not good enough" complexes and a fear of mediocrity. These requests and favours feel like something you cannot get rid of because the ones asking are the people you know and sometimes love. What if they never talk to you again if you refuse to make a birthday card for their grandmother?
