I can’t even tell you how many times throughout my creative life I’ve heard this gem. We’ve all heard it. That one sentence that lands in your gut like a wet sandwich. It’s usually preceded by the deadliest three words in the English language: “No offense, but…”
During a recent meeting of the Organization that shall not be named, the person that is supposed to be in charge looked at the only two artists at the meeting and dropped this absolute gem:
“No offense, but as artists, you have more time than the other people here who have jobs.”
Cue the record scratch.
Now, I wasn’t at this specific meeting. To be honest, after the recent tsunami of high-school drama with these people, I needed some space for my own peace of mind. If I had been there, you can bet I would have had a few choice words about that statement. Luckily, we have several friends who go to these meetings who are creative advocates, and they told us the story.
Unfortunately, the comment wasn’t challenged by a single person there. Not one. Apparently, that kind of behavior is so normalized that no one really noticed it. It just hung there in the air like a bad smell that everyone decided to ignore. That being said, one of the artists at the meeting resigned the day after. That seems to be a common theme from the overwhelming amount of messages I have received from creative people in our area after reading about my own struggles. I think it is ignorant to tell ANY creative that their professional lives don’t actually exist.
Now, I know what you might be thinking, “Rafi, it’s not a big deal, is it?” to which I respond, “Oh yes it is, and here is why.”
Making a statement like this is just as ignorant as an artist looking at a person with a “real” job and saying:
“No offense, but you have a 9-5, which means you have way more time than I do. You get weekends off, your workday ends early, and you get vacation and holidays off. Not to mention, you have a guaranteed paycheck, so you clearly have a lot more free time.”
See how ridiculous that sounds? It’s absurd to generalize what someone else has going on, especially when you are completely ignorant of what their day-to-day reality actually looks like. Whether you’re in a studio or an office, everyone is juggling a life, a career, and a set of responsibilities that a “no offense” comment can’t begin to cover. Honestly, I love my career and what I do and put out there. Just because I don’t hate my job, doesn’t make it any less of a time commitment.
This problem isn’t just isolated to the one organization or a person. It is a problem you see just about everywhere you look. Apparently, there is a widespread belief that being a professional artist is basically just frolicking through meadows, waiting for a “muse” to whisper sweet nothings into your ear while you wait for your sourdough starter to peak. I don’t think many people can actually conceptualize what we really do.
Here is why that comment is the Olympic Gold Medalist of Ignorance:
1. The “Job” is the Business
Being a professional artist isn’t just “making stuff.” It’s being a CEO, a Marketing Director, a Logistics Manager, and a Tax Accountant all at once. If an artist isn’t at their “desk,” they are probably:
- Negotiating contracts.
- Wrangling shipping logistics.
- Promoting their business.
- responding to emails.
- planning projects, shows, and exhibitions.
- Managing a social media presence.
- And figuring out how to balance a creative career with all their other responsibilities.
2. We Don’t Have “Off” Hours
When you have a “job,” you typically get to clock out. You go home, you watch Netflix, and you stop thinking about the quarterly spreadsheets. An artist? We are always on. Our “free time” is spent figuring out how to pay our bills and responding to client DMs at 11:00 PM because that’s when opportunity strikes.
3. The Lack of a Safety Net
“People with jobs” often have things like… oh, I don’t know… guaranteed salaries. Artists are the ultimate grinders. We don’t have “more time” we have more stakes. If we aren’t working, we aren’t eating. Every hour is a billable hour. Our bills don’t magically get paid because we are artists, we have to make things happen to pay our bills.
The funniest part of this whole saga from the beginning? Creative organizations literally cannot function without creative people. When you insult the creative people who are there to help, you’re essentially trying to fly a plane while insulting the engines. Good luck with the landing!
To my fellow “jobless” creators who may have run into the same comment:
- Your time is sacred.
- Your business is valid.
- Your “free time” is actually “unpaid labor that makes the world beautiful.”
If someone tries to pull the “no offense” card on you, just remember: they are projecting their own lack of imagination. Keep building your own foundation, keep charging what you’re worth, and keep “frolicking” your way to success.
To Everyone Who Reached Out About My Recent Experience
I want to thank you for reaching out with your experience in dealing with the same drama I dealt with recently. Whether it was online, or the many members of our community who showed their support. Thank you. I had recently pulled back from saying anything about the individuals in question on our public forum, because honestly, I was over it. And I still am. However, they don’t seem to be done with me. I think they are under the impression that no one tells us what is happening behind closed doors and what they are saying. It’s kind of stupid honestly. So, as far as I’m concerned, I’m done with it, and I am moving on. But if they come at me, I’ll be filling you in on the drama. The truth is, I just don’t care enough about them, but I won’t stay quiet when attacked. So, as long as they back off, we are good.
If you are curious about what happened you can read the full story here.
