Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Art for Exposure


I have been thinking about this article from The Simple Dollar this morning that asked for artwork in exchange for a link on the site. At first I thought it was a good idea but then I started to read the comments, and there were a lot of comments, and I can see why people have a problem with the "work for exposure" idea. If I could think of something to contribute to The Simple Dollar, I would just because I really enjoy the site.

I am not a professional artist but I am artistic and when people find out they sometimes ask for free artistic services. I usually don't mind or we find some sort of mutually acceptable barter arrangement. It is my natural inclination to discount my services or give them away. I have read that one of the reasons that women are paid less than men is that they are always putting themselves on sale. Women want to help regardless of the monetary return. But this is not good business practice. If I am ever going to have my own business, artistic or otherwise, I must learn to value my own talents. Just because I enjoy the work doesn't mean I should get paid less. That is how I think though. In my current job I don't really enjoy the work and would not keep doing it if they asked me to take a pay cut. I do it for the money. In my creative work I would be more likely to accept less money or even do it for free just because I like it. That is something I will have to learn to change if I ever want to make a living as an artist. Repeat after me- "I am valuable. I will not put myself on sale!"

5 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi Frugal Freedom:
Well, these are attractive, decorative pieces which show a good sense of color, balance, etc.
I like them.
Later...
Julian
www.ijulian.blogspot.com

Daizy said...

Thank you very much for your comment Julian. I was beginning to think that only my mother read my blog.

Simply Stork said...

Hi I just found this blog...and I know I'm not your mother (lol)
~simply stork~

Daizy said...

Hee hee. Thanks for your comment too, Simply Stork. I like your photography on your site.

Anonymous said...

<< Repeat after me- "I am valuable. I will not put myself on sale!" >>

Well wait now, shouldn't that read: "I am valuable. I will not put myself on sale FOR A PENNY LESS LESS THAN I AM WORTH, and hopefully a nice premium just for being ME?"

hehehehe

Good luck with your art, Daizy. I'm trying to do the same thing. I was lucky enough to be able to pay off my mortgage, so the house is mine as long as I can afford the taxes. And that makes me feel a little bit richer, even though it all but tapped me out.

Whatever you do, try to stay out of debt. Being debt-free makes every dollar you've got worth just a little bit more, because all 100 pennies of it are yours.

PS. I found your site when I Googled the phrase "art for exposure," looking for a discussion of this very issue. :)