ars longa vita brevis : March 2013

Sunday, March 24, 2013

pet peeves

One of the most annoying things about having "artsy skills" is the people who approach you and randomly demand a drawing or painting, after they sugarcoat me with compliments. I literally can't draw in public anymore without being bombarded by silly drawing requests out of the blue of themselves, of their cousins, sister, girlfriend, baby daddy, dog. Being strangers or acquaintances makes it worse, and i always think, "Who do you think you are? Do you honestly believe that i will drop everything and draw something for you, a stranger?"
I have no problem with commissions or requests (and no problem at all with a small payment or donation here and there), but i do have a problem with those who approach me and outright demand a drawing from me. What happened to respect and courtesy, and "Hey, your work seems pretty cool! Can i ask you to do a portrait of my mom's sister's husband's cousin's daughter? I'll pay you of course, i know how stressful it is for you, a sixteen year old high school student, struggling to make art, do well in school and make a little money."
Maybe not the last part but also not "Yo draw me dis" or "draw me plz." Sorry, im not your slave, im not rich in money or time, and i probably dont like you.
But being nice, i say yes, and end up spending hours doing a portrait of some rude stranger, along with school assignments to complete my portfolio and a big French project of an Ophelia painting. But im not complaining.

Oh my god yes i am. I always am.