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An Economics LEsson From Rukis
12 years ago
THIS IS NOT MY POST! THIS WAS ORIGINALLY POSTED BY RUKIS AND IT IS BEAUTIFUL! Go check out his page...NOW!
"Economics lesson, kiddies.
Art, as a consumer product, is a LUXURY ITEM. If you can't afford it, it's because you, like most people in the world, either do not earn enough money to purchase luxury items or choose not to spend your money on something that is not essential to your life.
Complain to anyone outside this fandom that you can't afford art. I dare you. Watch them stare at you in bewilderment, wondering WHY the hell you'd expect you could. There absolutely IS no difference between what some people are calling professional artists outside this fandom, and artists who work professionally inside this fandom. If you aren't bothering to require a contract with rights and deadlines with the artist you work with in this fandom, that is your choice, not the artist's. Most artists in this community already have Terms of Use. If you haven't bothered to read them, also your fault.
Why do you expect us to perform at a professional level if you aren't treating us like professionals? Most commission rates paid inside this community are a pittance, unsustainable as any type of income source. If you want higher quality work, you need to pay for it. Pay a hobbyist, you're going to get hobbyist rates. Don't expect that a person who cannot live on their wage will be able to commit the necessary time towards honing it to a professional level.
And stop whining. I haven't bothered responding to a one of the entitled, spoiled, bratty little comments on my recent meme message, so this is a blanket statement. Just because YOU personally cannot afford something does not mean that item, which in this case is a unique, one-of-a-kind creation crafted by the dedicated hours of someone who has been practicing their craft likely for their ENTIRE LIFE, is not WORTH the money you cannot afford to pay. What it means is that YOU CANNOT AFFORD IT. And how is that a surprise?! Most people in the world do not own original art! Let alone original art drawn SPECIFICALLY FOR THEM. The fact that so many furries own not one, but multiple pieces of original art is mind-boggling, and has spoiled the whole of us into believing we all deserve to.
Art is not your electric bill. Art is not food, or gas for your car, or even an education. Pay your damned bills, and stop complaining that you can't afford art BECAUSE you have to pay your bills. Or because you don't make enough money. Art is not necessary for you to live. Enjoy the insane amount of free art you have access to, if you can't afford to buy the custom kind.
And stop assuming artists are goddamn millionaires, please. I'm not boasting when I say I personally am likely one of the most well-paid artists in this fandom. And if you could all see the way I live, you'd understand WHY that isn't a boast. I have a fifteen-year-old car, live in a busted up old house, spend money ONLY on my business, bills and food, and have to budget myself extremely carefully throughout the year to keep up with the rent. And I'm doing WELL, as far as furry artists go. This is anything but a posh gig. I can't speak for most furry artists, but I commit, on average, 8-14 hours a day to work, I get no vacations except for conventions, which anyone can attest I work through the entirety of, and I'm still constantly running ragged and wishing I had more time in the day.
We do this as a career because we love it, guys. Believe me. . . almost anything else would be easier. Go hug your local furry artist.
I won't bother reading comments on this journal, honestly, because I have no interest in taking part in the shitstorm. I hope this at least got through to some of you, though. And to all those who already understood all of this. . . thank you. I'm aware it's just a few bad eggs spoiling the bunch, and that most of you have functioning brains."
-Rukis
"Economics lesson, kiddies.
Art, as a consumer product, is a LUXURY ITEM. If you can't afford it, it's because you, like most people in the world, either do not earn enough money to purchase luxury items or choose not to spend your money on something that is not essential to your life.
Complain to anyone outside this fandom that you can't afford art. I dare you. Watch them stare at you in bewilderment, wondering WHY the hell you'd expect you could. There absolutely IS no difference between what some people are calling professional artists outside this fandom, and artists who work professionally inside this fandom. If you aren't bothering to require a contract with rights and deadlines with the artist you work with in this fandom, that is your choice, not the artist's. Most artists in this community already have Terms of Use. If you haven't bothered to read them, also your fault.
Why do you expect us to perform at a professional level if you aren't treating us like professionals? Most commission rates paid inside this community are a pittance, unsustainable as any type of income source. If you want higher quality work, you need to pay for it. Pay a hobbyist, you're going to get hobbyist rates. Don't expect that a person who cannot live on their wage will be able to commit the necessary time towards honing it to a professional level.
And stop whining. I haven't bothered responding to a one of the entitled, spoiled, bratty little comments on my recent meme message, so this is a blanket statement. Just because YOU personally cannot afford something does not mean that item, which in this case is a unique, one-of-a-kind creation crafted by the dedicated hours of someone who has been practicing their craft likely for their ENTIRE LIFE, is not WORTH the money you cannot afford to pay. What it means is that YOU CANNOT AFFORD IT. And how is that a surprise?! Most people in the world do not own original art! Let alone original art drawn SPECIFICALLY FOR THEM. The fact that so many furries own not one, but multiple pieces of original art is mind-boggling, and has spoiled the whole of us into believing we all deserve to.
Art is not your electric bill. Art is not food, or gas for your car, or even an education. Pay your damned bills, and stop complaining that you can't afford art BECAUSE you have to pay your bills. Or because you don't make enough money. Art is not necessary for you to live. Enjoy the insane amount of free art you have access to, if you can't afford to buy the custom kind.
And stop assuming artists are goddamn millionaires, please. I'm not boasting when I say I personally am likely one of the most well-paid artists in this fandom. And if you could all see the way I live, you'd understand WHY that isn't a boast. I have a fifteen-year-old car, live in a busted up old house, spend money ONLY on my business, bills and food, and have to budget myself extremely carefully throughout the year to keep up with the rent. And I'm doing WELL, as far as furry artists go. This is anything but a posh gig. I can't speak for most furry artists, but I commit, on average, 8-14 hours a day to work, I get no vacations except for conventions, which anyone can attest I work through the entirety of, and I'm still constantly running ragged and wishing I had more time in the day.
We do this as a career because we love it, guys. Believe me. . . almost anything else would be easier. Go hug your local furry artist.
I won't bother reading comments on this journal, honestly, because I have no interest in taking part in the shitstorm. I hope this at least got through to some of you, though. And to all those who already understood all of this. . . thank you. I'm aware it's just a few bad eggs spoiling the bunch, and that most of you have functioning brains."
-Rukis
Seriously though, you really are good. Please watch https://vimeo.com/24715531
https://vimeo.com/42372767
Respect your stuff more
and charge more for it, you're worth it.
That part of Jamie Hewlett talking about being surrounded by people saying all good stuff about your art and having to keep the ego in check...I think my ego side is the side I'm afraid of.