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.
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This was all so well put!!! Thank you!!! I have been full time at Art since 1987 and I can tell you that since I had to give up side hustles to make ends meet I have lived under the poverty line but have always had what I needed. I have been able to just make art, write and care for the people and animals that God has given me and while on paper I am now retired, I will not stop making art til I die. It is what I am. 24/7 Again, thank you!!
Hi Rafi and Klee,
First I want to say I feel terrible you both are experiencing the high school drama from “The Reds”. I too have been on tbe receiving end many years ago and not so long ago.
First thing is the Head Red thinks her poop doesn’t stink. I am not sure if I have ever personally known someone so full of themselves. Truly she is an awful person. I have personally witnessed the damage she has done to people she claimed to “love”.
Aside from that, I feel the reason no one challenges her, is she is an adult bully. A very adept one at that. If you upset her, challenge her, or she thinks you will paint her in a bad light, she does what she is now attempting to do to you and Klee. She has done this to me.
I too served on the Boil Kitty Farts board and stepped down. Mostly because she continued to torment me.
Last year I entered into the Oil Heritage art show. I checked in my work with the second Red, making sure my slips were correctly filled out, pieces ready to hang, etc. I have entered every year for many years under the capable hands of Evelyn Wheeler, and am a “professional” category artist. Somehow last year despite my 3 forms being filled out correctly my pieces all got labeled as “amateur” and were displayed as such. I was angry, embarrassed, and felt slighted.
When I addressed it with the “Reds” they said it was no big deal, just an oversight. I said how could it be an oversight when tbe form clearly said professional?! I was insulted and truly felt it was a purposeful act. I dont like to make a stink but have felt strongly about making one to warn artists that the people in charge if the art show are incompetent and may label a professional artists work as amateur despite the information on the forms.
Anyway, I needed to get that off my chest. There are MANY other things I could say and would be happy too if you are interested in hearing anymore examples of her bullying.
I am glad there is finally someone who will stand up to the Reds. They don’t deserve the positions they hold.
Wow, I’m sorry you went through that. Yeah, definitely bullies, I’ve witnessed it with other people and it is all covert and passive aggressive, which is the worst kind in my opinion.
Sorry this happened to you guys. You are positive people and good artists peer, so it should not have derailed that way. But it happens. Some dysfunctional people toxify and ultimately derail the purpose of organizations they staff. I’ve seen it happen again and again. Also, when we cloak ourselves in order to keep control instead of opening our minds and heart to cultivate relationships and change– then we become guarded, proprietary and adversarial. And there’s a lot of folks like this.
Another part of the story that made me sad has to do with the many people that constrict their voices and go along because they are afraid to rock the boat. There are probably hidden agendas there with funding and money too. This makes me reflect on what is happening in our nation and world right now. We don’t have the luxury anymore of being passive citizens (artists, local residents, whatnot). Democracy needs us to use our free speech. If we do not, we lose it. The people who are not speaking up seem to be forfeiting their truth in order to stay in the job or not to rock the boat.
But at all levels, politically, cosmically and spiritually this is a time of death and rebirth, of transformation. We must use our free speech to promote the changes that benefit us and the collective because this is a time where we are going through a quantum leap in human evolution. So things are being destroyed and we are called forth to decide what we want to keep and evolve. We are becoming, all of us, Creators Beings crafting the world we choose.
I am proud of you that you decided to stick to your truth, support the collective but not stay in the sticky toxins. Way to go!
Thank you!
“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!”
…Thank you for saying this! That is exactly how I’ve been feeling about what us creatives do and how we’re constantly taken for granted and expected to jump when told how high and taking every insult and still expected to do what is wanted anyway.
I can relate to doing things too at random hours.
Been in the middle of a big commission at the moment and find my flow state lasting way late at night to get things done for my client
This is even while being worn out and sore throated from straining my vocal cords
performing two Easter services, rehearsals for 2 days straight, and still having to get this commission done.
Thank you for always validating and encouraging us fellow artists!
I am so sorry you are dealing with that drama btw.
I can relate.
I believe you are handling it well and respect that you aren’t sweeping it under the rug ether.
You are a rockstar!