Artists get asked for free work constantly. Only do it if you want to support the organization, because thereās no business advantage for you.
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| Glade, by Carol L. Douglas, watercolor on Yupo. |
Where are you in this story?
When I first started working as a photographer, I was doing so many jobs for free. Nobody would pay me, but theyād offer dinner. Or drinks. Or publicity. Or experience. Or connections. Or insight. Even though I felt like my work was worth more, I never thought I was in a position to negotiate. Iād become so small when discussing compensation. Iād shrink. I needed everyone to like me. I assumed that if people liked me, theyād respect me. Theyād treat me with dignity. Theyād value my work. And theyād eventually pay me for it. But insteadāthey kept asking me back without pay. I think itās so hard for creators to get out of that cycle, but my mom gave me the best line to use: āIām sorry, but I canāt afford to do that for free.ā I still do free gigs, but only on my terms. Only if they provide value beyond a personās gratitude. Iām never aggressive or mean. But Iām clear. Iām not sure what Iām worth to them. But I know what Iām worth to myself. And I want it put in writing. Iām still nice about it. Iām still polite. But Iām more dominant. Well, maybe not dominant. Actually, I will say dominant. You can still be dominant and nice.ā (Humans of New York)
Every creator has found themselves running through this arc. Photographers and musicians get asked to perform for free, and painters get asked to donate work for fundraisers. Itās a great way to help the world, but it delivers absolutely no business advantage to you.
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| Glen Cove, by Carol L. Douglas, oil on canvas |
If I like the organization, Iāll still send a painting, but Iāve also noticed that unless the organization is arts-based, my work often sells for a fraction of its real value. The non-art audience thinks theyāre buying the equivalent of dĆ©cor, and bids accordingly.
For several years, I sent a customized piece to a fisheries-conservation group I really like. My donations consistently sold for about a tenth of their open-market value. Finally, I realized I could help more efficiently by just sending a check.
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| The Dugs, Carol L. Douglas, oil on canvasboard |
Thatās especially true because of an anomaly in our tax code. My cash donation is completely deductible; my painting donation is not. If I were to donate a painting by another artist, I could take a deduction (with certain limitations), but not for my own work. So, never donate work thinking youāre getting a tax deduction, because youāre not.
At the beginning of our careers, we usually donāt know how much our work is worth. The donation-auction can help create some kind of selling history. But setting your prices based on charity auction prices will keep them artificially low. Youāre better off to set them using a repeatable formula.
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| Adirondack Spring, Carol L. Douglas, oil on canvasboard. This is going to be auctioned to support the Gerhardt Neighborhood Outreach Center in Rochester, NY, on October 17. |
Having said all that, I have a piece going up for auction to support the Gerhardt Neighborhood Outreach Center in Rochester, NY on October 17. This group provides a medical clinic, help with new babies, holiday baskets and backpacks for kids, transitional housing for women, counseling, vocational training, and a food pantry in one of the cityās bleaker neighborhoods. Iām happy to send them a painting, because I care about their work. If you want to know more about this event, contact Annie Canon here or at 585-288-0030.