Can it ruin my day?
I'm an artist who works with commissions, barely makes $15 a month and things around are getting even more expensive.
Last night I posted an art of mine, nothing serious, just practice routine, then, this morning I received a message from a guy offering a project. I thought "oh, nice! Sounds like a good month for me!" until he said that it would be for free since it's a collab. (He just wants his stories illustrated, doesn't sound like a collab, just someone hiding his intentions with the word "collab", as an artist, that's pretty common among "clients")
I politely declined and explained my financial situation, I can't work for free and since he is asking for a free job, I believe he couldn't get mad for being declined.
Well, he did.
This guy started to say that i shouldn't post my art if I'm not willing to help who needs it, he said things like "are you being forced to post? Because I don't see a reason to post your art if you're not helping me!".
"You are choosing not to help me! You don't know what a collab means? I'm very annoyed that I'm being denied ALL the time!"
I offered a single illustration of his character for free, at least to help him to advertise his project and calm him down but he still mad.
I understand his frustration, I have been rejected many times when I tried to make friends and what I learned from it is that we need to move on and put effort into things and people who are interested back, not beg for it from who's not able to help us.
Now I feel anxious being attacked by this person for no reason, those things probably will stay for a long time in my head and ruin my day thinking I'm a bad person for not helping others and make someone mad...
Random anxiety moments in life...
@SleepyGh0st yes random things is what this is. I have met some weird people as well. So I can relate to the feeling of being anxious. But we don't deserve to feel this way.
In your case, volunteering cant be forced. What price you want to sell your work for is entirely your decision. No one else has the right to impose anything on you. Don't take on this persons angry energy and ruin your day. Pride in your ownself and smile. Happy illustrating!
@Creamyyy
I truly appreciate your message, indeed I need to give myself some credit, I deserve to be recognized as an artist, it is my job! Not a favor I do around. My Listener instincts still wanted to help this guy to understand more about his frustrations and anger but it is impossible to help being attacked like that. I wonder if he actually think someone will help him after he gets super offensive at the person... Hope that doesn't ruin anyone's day!
I will try my best to just have my day and don't let it ruin such important day as today!
@SleepyGh0st
Do not let this person affect you and like you said this is your job i think it was rude of this person to ask you to do things for free ....... if he knew a hairstylist would he want a cut for free... a collaboration is to end up benefiting you both not just him
@toughTiger6481 That's exactly what I think but I have been scammed three times in a row, unfortunately that builds a terrible wall against those "hey, let's collab!", many people use it as excuse to benefit themselves only! It's frustrating and very sad to both of us but I gotta prioritize my dreams and goals, things that unfortunately I can't reach without money.
@SleepyGh0st
Walk away from people who ask for free work. This happens A LOT with people who are freelancers or work for themselves. People just assume you should give your work away for free. They assume that they're somehow doing you a favor. They aren't. They're just trying to get something for nothing.
I know a lot of professional bloggers. They flat out refuse to deal with people who ask them to do a "test blog." Any "test" that produces work for someone else needs to be paid.
It sounds like this guy is just trying to get a lot of work done for free, and he's trying to bully you into it. Stay true to yourself and stand your ground. Your work and your effort has VALUE. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
Since he is trying to get it for free, he doesn’t understand the value of art. He’s just trying to get things cheap and isn’t worth your thoughts.
also, have you ever heard of Fivrr? I believe their platform is set up to prevent scammers. Something to look into. :)
@SleepyGh0st
Hey Ghost!
I'm so glad you've talked about what happened with you here, I hope that talking made you feel better.
Such things actually happen a lot! I'm glad you've dealt with it wisely and generally calmly.
You are NOT a bad person. By the way.
I understand that you're probably getting anxious about it, for me, what you did was good enough for you not to be in a bad mood.
I hope you get rid of anxiety soon.
Best regards! 😊😊😊 Good Luck!!
@SleepyGh0st
as an artist who works on a commission based, I would say that him asking for free artwork in the name of "collab" was unreasonable. it takes time and effort to make artwork and that makes it valuable. getting by with barely 15$ per month with commissions is painful but being told to stop doing what you love and posting because you didn't provide them with free services is more painful.
it's definitely okay to not provide free service even if a person demands it and it doesn't make your artwork any less worthy to be posted.
I hope that the anxiety caused by this situation reduces for you. 🌻
