When Artisitc Friends Become Selfish
There is awe in the natural ability of an individual that can create a painting, sculpture, or musical masterpiece. We become their most enthusiastic fan, as well as friend. It is an honor to promote them and love them. But what happens when their paranoia of plagiarizing or stealing starts to look our way with unreasonable cause?
Is it ego? Or is it the fear of an unjust world? What happens to gifted people when accepting a friend’s pay plan becomes so singularly “self” that they will not accommodate timely auto bank payments? When the art 'aint selling'......a loyal friend willing to buy or display it, in what ever payment plan is deemed trustworthy, should seem to be a gift in itself.
When Friends Expect All things Free.
I know first hand, a time comes when a person's exceptional “gift” becomes a full time career. And yet, friends can't seem to understand that even though they may have encouraged your choice for years, that you stop doing things for free. It seems hurtful. I would never fathom asking someone to offer me free Tupperware or Candles as a friendship bonus. Yet if one already owns a service, it seems different to them. It changes everything. When these friends expect you to work for free, or even bring other friends for free service, the answer of I'M SO SORRY, NO CAN DO is unacceptable.
Some amigos will actually stop talking to you. Yet they them selves would never think to work for free at their jobs. It is hard to ask a friend to pay me for a reading. I always hope, just as they tip a table waitress, that they will offer to pay me......something? Out of respect? It would be nice to have the option to offer a friend a gift, and not be expected to give one. It is hard to tell a friend you are sorry but this is your only job now.
Negotiating Extravagant Art Fees with a Friend
In this vein, I understand the concept that gifted painters and sculptors should rightfully ask fees from friends for their masterpieces “in full.” But when the artistic fees for paintings or sculptures begin to be in the hundreds or thousands of dollars, sitting idle in their studio, what is the harm in accepting auto bank payments from a friend until the masterpiece is paid off?
As one reader stated, barter is an excellent choice of payment, if the exchange is equal in value.
Not pay a gifted friend for their service? I would never dream of it.
Buy art from a friend whose ego has become larger then their compassion to negotiate payment plans on extravagant prices? I would not think of that either.
And that’s just how I feel.