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Well said, Barry. Nothing worth doing can be *that* simple. On Fri, May 2, 2014 at 1:31 PM, Barry K. MacKay <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > One possible test is whether or not the work involved would or would not > be illustrated in the absence of the freebie, but even then, I feel the > freebie is justified ONLY if you feel strongly (and I emphasize “strongly”) > in the project. I recently illustrated a book on an issue I have devoted > years of effort to, because I wanted it to look good. Mind you, even then > I stipulated that I retain the originals, most of which were saleable so I > did make a modest profit; also, that the interior illustrations be in > colour, even though they were reproduced in black and white, because a > colour drawing takes no longer to do, and is far more likely to sell. > > > > But while people buy paintings of birds, they are less likely to be > interested in an original illustration of the inner ear or a cross section > of a lizard’s torso or variations in wing structures of fruit flies > (although such art can be quite wondrous). > > > > There are times, not many, when I have donated original art to a > charitable cause I support, figuring that I would do the same if I made its > value by selling the original (again remembering that I am not in the > position of doing non-saleable paintings), and were I to sell it, and > donate the money, I’d be putting a painting into a patron’s or collector’s > possession, thus reducing the likelihood that she/he will by another. > > > > But usually, when asked for a freebie, I just say no, explain that it is > how I earn part of my living (I also do environmental and animal protection > work). > > > > I also hate to be asked for paintings that didn’t sell, or sketches, or > “just something simple”, since it does, in the outside world, represent my > work. Even a “simple” drawing takes up a of time, and materials. I > think some folks have seen too many movies where an artist picks up chunk > of charcoal and in a few moments creates a beautiful and complete drawing. > It’s not that simple. > > > > Barry > > > > > > *Barry Kent MacKay* > > *Bird Artist, Illustrator* > > Studio: (905)-472-9731 > > http://www.barrykentmackay.ca > [log in to unmask] > > > > > > > > *From:* SciArt-L Discussion List-for Natural Science Illustration- > [mailto:[log in to unmask]] *On Behalf Of *Bruce Bartrug > *Sent:* May-02-14 10:49 AM > *To:* [log in to unmask] > *Subject:* Re: [SCIART] Work for free is not confined to art > > > > I have no answer for that, Anne. How many pretty young women go to New > York to be models and come home six months later broke and, maybe, wiser. > (Hmm....same business that began this thread.) Supply and demand are > always an issue in any line of endeavor, but if artists of any genre > refused free work, those that stay in the field would have a easier time. > > b > > > > On Fri, May 2, 2014 at 10:44 AM, Anne Runyon <[log in to unmask]> > wrote: > > > > All I know is that it just keeps on keeping. > > > > > > ________________________________________________ > > Need to leave or subscribe to the Sciart-L listserv? Follow the > instructions at > http://www.gnsi.org/resources/reviews/gnsi-sciart-l-listserv > > ________________________________________________ > > Need to leave or subscribe to the Sciart-L listserv? Follow the > instructions at > http://www.gnsi.org/resources/reviews/gnsi-sciart-l-listserv > -- Bruce Bartrug Nobleboro, Maine, USA [log in to unmask] www.brucebartrug.com The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing. - Albert Einstein Need to leave or subscribe to the Sciart-L listserv? Follow the instructions at http://www.gnsi.org/resources/reviews/gnsi-sciart-l-listserv