I do freelance as well as my full time job, and I am always setting up the next job.  it's a safe bet, that if i'm breathing, I'm painting or hustling to get paid for more painting.  That's what I do for a living.  It's how I put food on the table, and porn in the bathroom.

That said, I thought it bore mentioning especially here on DA though, that I work for HIRE.  If your sweet RPG project, or video game pitch has no budget at all for art, it will save both of our time if you don't try to tap me for artwork.  I Do realize I'm passing up an amazing opportunity for me to make my portfolio way more awesome, and that I won't be getting that free publicity.  It's a risk I'll have to take.

I'm not opposed to people making things out of their garage, in fact, I wholesale endorse it and want you to succeed with it.  I sincerely hope your team is a massive success.  

I can't work for free though.

You wouldn't ask a gardener to stop by your place to do your lawn for free because it would be really awesome for him.  You wouldn't ask a chef to cater your wedding for free because you have the sickest idea for how the wedding will go, right?
You wouldn't send requests to a lawyer to hook you up with free intellectual property law consultations.

Just because I do art, doesn't mean my time is any less valuable than all of those guys.  I spent just as much time in school.  Quite a damn bit of money I'm still trying to pay off, and years of suffering through trying to get better and better.

When you pay an artist for their work, their prices denote not just the cost of their time, the materials, or the effort for your project.  What you are paying for is the cost of experience.  A lifetime spent perfecting a craft, and honing an ability.  You pay for all the mistakes we won't make for you, because we've made them for ourselves already.  You pay for the mind that has been training to deal with specific problems, and generate kick ass ideas, and original concepts.

These things are not born to us, they are learned.  You are paying for the time you don't have to spend learning the craft.  Just like you pay for pizza when you don't want to make it yourself.  

Art is just like anything else when it comes to business.  You get what you pay for.   

I'm just not willing to deliver poor quality goods.

-End rant-----------

Addendum:
This is for you young or budding artists out there just starting to get into pro work.  Be wary of requests made, especially through this site.  

Firstly, to horribly misquote Stephen King when asked about when you are a professional writer, "When you get a check in the mail paying for your writing and you pay the light bill with it, you are a professional."
I totally agree with that dude.  When you are even moderately confident enough in your skill and you start getting approached with just these kinds of offers, think about this rant.  I know you will do a few anyway. Hell, I did.  I've been fucked exactly three times by would be mega-projects that were 'good for my portfolio'.  We all have to stick our fingers in the flames to learn.  That's fine.  But learn, please!  Don't underbid yourself, don't sacrifice your wage for your work.

The formula is simple, and I have had to tell my students many times how this works, so pay attention.

How much do you want to make an hour?  If need be, divide down from an annual salary you'd like. In freelance, work is peppered throughout the year, so compensate for projected downtime. Once you've worked out your hourly, estimate how long the art will take to make and bam.  =h
How long will your part in the project take? =t
How many changes will they likely want, and make sure your contract has clauses for client changes(if you are smart set a limit to number of changes, and be sure to charge.  Watch how much less picky they get when their wallet is on the line. Hahahaha!). =v
Are you being taxed?  If you aren't.  Say you are.  =x
Cost of materials? =m


And here it is: h+t+v+x+m= I'm Rich BITCH!  

It will be more than you assumed you were worth, I'm certain.
Now comes the time for dark self assessment.  Is your art really worth that sum?  Where are you in your career, and how far are you from where this number is at?
Start shaving it back down until you think that it's VERY good money for your level of work.  Then make your bid.

If you are lucky your client will jump on it.  Don't feel like you should have asked for more.  Be proud that you got a lot more than you thought you were worth.  This is awesome also because you've established precedence for yourself and now have a starting rate to build up from as you improve.

If your client haggles. Don't be afraid to haggle.  Generally when a person counterbids, they drop down a chunk and expect you to meet them somewhere in the middle of your original bid and their first counter bid.  If their offer is simply unacceptable after that, do not be afraid to walk, but definitely consider it and your skills honestly.

If your client laughs.  Disconnect.  If they come back, ask them what they think would be a fair rate for you.  If they don't, ah well, no love lost.  There will be more clients, and you can use that as fuel to work your ass off and get better, so next time they clamor for your skills.

I hope this helps clear the silly fog of 'don't share how much you make' shame.

Molest in peace,
Uncle Z

<sub>{ Okay so for the next thirty days, I'm gonna answer a question about my character. owo I will also have an RP journal up soon I promise omg
From -> [link] }

1.) Describe your character's relationship with their mother or their father, or both. Was it good? Bad? Were they spoiled rotten, ignored? Do they still get along now, or no?
. - . - . - . - . - . - . - . - . - . - . - . - . - . - . - . - . - . - . - . - . - . - . - . - .

As a child, Artemis had a good relationship with both her parents. Of course, no relationship is perfect, so there were times where they didn't get along. But Artemis loved her parents dearly. Up until her mother's death, she and Artemis used to play together and she'd bake cookies for her daughter, then go sit outside in the backyard and have a "picnic." They'd also read Greek myths together before bed, because Artemis' mother was so fascinated by it, and because Artemis was named after the goddess. With her father, Artemis loved going to the park to play on the swings and slides when she little, and she enjoyed watching him practice archery when he took her with him to the archery range (hence why she practices it now).

Despite coming from an extremely wealthy family, Artemis wasn't spoiled rotten, as one might expect. Sure, she got what she wanted, but her parents made sure not to spoil their daughter too much.

All in all, Artemis Domitrovich had a good relationship with her parents, and if they were still alive today, she would most definitely keep them close to her.</sub>

<sub>{ I got tagged by -w- }

1) "Never give me a lot of candy. Ever."
I hope you know I'm going to do the exact opposite of that.

2) "Do you think I think of too many things too much?"
Mmm..not really.

3) "I sometimes wonder how you're able to keep up a conversation with me.."
I wonder the same thing sometimes. O:

4) "What did you think of me when we first met?" .w.
Well..I thought you were pretty cool c':

5) "Magic... monsters... demons..."
...You okay, there? |D

6) "Heh."
Pff-

7) "Is it okay for me to use you as a practice dummy sometime?"
Only if I can use you as a practice dummy- /shot

8) "Once I know how to use these warp points correctly, we're going to go explore so many worlds." |'D
Sounds interesting. O: I'm in-

9) "If you managed to stick with me for this long, good job. We're close friends then."
Close friends. I like the sound of that. c':

10) "What would happen if I just kissed you on the lips right now?" .3.
Don't even think about it. /stare

{ I don't tag anyone- :'D }</sub>

1. Put your iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc. on shuffle.

2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.

3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS.




1. IF SOMEONE SAYS 'ARE YOU OKAY' YOU SAY?

Bad ( the cab)
pff well okay.



2. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?

Nothing ( Every Avenue)



3. WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?

Give me your hand ( the ready set)



4. HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?

BigCityDreams ( NevershoutNever)



5. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?

Alshley's song ( set it off )



6. WHAT'S YOUR MOTTO?

3-way ( lonley island) ...;///;



7. WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?

Alligator Sky ) owl city)



8. WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?

You found me ( they fray)    



9. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?

Whatcha Say ( Jason Derulo)


10. WHAT IS 2 + 2?

Captain Tyin Knots Vs Mr Walkway ( Sleeping with Sirens )



11. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?

Stay ( mayday parade)



12. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?

Miserably Loving You ( artist Vs Poet)  


13. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?

Punk Bitch ( 3Oh!3)


14. WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?

Hollywood ( Cute is what we Aim for)



16. WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?

Pigskin ( hollywood undead)



17. WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?

Someone Like you ( boys like girls)


18. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?

Best of 2012 pop mash-up ( Anthem Lights)



19. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?

Weightless ( all time low)



20. WHAT DO YOU WANT RIGHT NOW?

Go ( boys like girls)


21. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?

Thats 70's song ( the cab)



22. WHAT WILL YOUR CHILD'S FIRST WORDS BE?

The end ( mayday parade)



23. WHAT DO YOU SAY WHEN YOU LOOK IN THE MIRROR?

Blackout ( breathe carolina)



24. WHAT DID YOU SAY IN YOUR SLEEP LAST NIGHT?

Who i am hates who i've been ( relient K)



25. WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?

Mercenary ( Panic! At the disco)

Josie was now walking into the cold Kingdom of Illinois. As she walked into a blizzard, she was puzzled to why the shards weren't working.

"I don't get it! Why won't these stupid gems work anymore?
Are they broken? Are they all used up down to the core?
From now on I'll keep them, and I'll have to keep up my guard.
I just hope they work by the time I reach the seventh shard.
I could really use speed now, or at least the flight rock;
But neither work, like the rest. For now, I'll just walk."

As Josie walked across Illinois Kingdom in the cold, a person sitting on a rock saw her. She was 5'4" tall and dressed in black.

"Ahoy there, I don't know you but I think you're going in the wrong direction.
You don't wanna be walking into this kingdom, this is a hazardous section."

"Leave me alone, stranger, I'm not in the mood,
It's not a good day so be gone. Sorry for being rude."

"Haha I'll let it side, friend, because you're honest.
Though be warned, rude people usually meet my fist.
So, what brings you here? Mind if I tag along?
I've been out of work ever since people left town.
The name's Mabel, I'm a contradition haha, I'm wicked yet merry;
You might've heard of me, they call me the Shadow Mercenary."

Hearing her
"A mercenary! Fiend, stay back!
Don't come closer or I will attack!"

"Must you be like the others? So eager to judge and condemn..
I'm not like the others.. nah I'm just kidding, I'm one of them!
But worry not, I have no schemes against you that I conceal,
'Cause I like you," Mabel said smiling, "now tell me, what's your deal."

With her shards not working, Josie wasn't effected by them as much, and so, she had no reason to be defensive. She befriended Mabel.

"My story is long, and I'm afraid it's a sad one.
But I'll sum it up in hopes that my tears don't run.
In the farthest island from here, I was born as a king,
I had all the riches, all the glory money could bring.
But I threw it away, in the name of true love,
He was a fearless lover, a giant so tough.
But the phantoms came, and took him away,
Left me behind, And in my misery I stay.
Yet I rose on my feet, and put my tears aside,
Grabbed my lover's blade, and went on this ride.
I set out to save him, by gathering these shards
Legends foretell, that they can reunite sweethearts.
And now I'm out to find the seventh, I hope to find it soon,
Then only three more to go, before I can be with my baboon."

"You're looking for the shards you say?
Well this just might be your lucky day!
I don't have any, or know where they lie,
But I can find out; into the shadows I fly.
I might just be human, but I can travel through foes;
I have this ability, to travel through shadows."

"Wow, really?
And you'll help me?"

"I help whoever wants me to, I work for any team,
As long as gold or jewels, in my way they'd beam.
Keep in mind I'm a mercenary for hire,
But for you, my lady, I'll be your sire."

"Are you sure you're okay with this? Are you sure you're on board?
Are you sure you'll help me find them without getting a reward?"

"My lady, I've helped other without money before, helped them on their test or quiz;
Money isn't everything.. ahh who am I kidding, it is.
I'll do it 'cause I like you, plus without the locals to bug, I'm kinda jobless;
But no, when I complete this task, I won't charge you, that is a promise."

With that, Mabel disappeared into the shadows. After a short period of time, she popped back again.

"Hey guess what? I didn't find any shards but I found something really interesting;
You'll know it later, but for now give me your shards! Sorry stealing and disappearing."

Then, she disappeared again, with Josie's six shards. Josie was so used to the speed of the first phantom shard that she didn't realize Mabel snatching her entire collection out of her hands. By the time she realized it, it was too late. She was gone. Time passed; she still didn't return.

"Its been ages! Where is she?
Where is that damn mercenary?"

Then, she appeared.

"Here you go!"

Mabel handed Josie's shards back to her, and Josie snatched them, and she immedeitly felt their powers again. She flew up high in the sky, then rocketed around the world. She came back to Illinois Kingdom and dropped down in front of Mabel.

"Mabel, you are a genius! What did you do?
How did you restore these shards' their hue?"

"I left and went to the phantom zone,
A place shadow people can go to alone,
Over there I looked for your shards, and found this fountain;
A spring of light; of shadows, of magics of restoration.
So I put your shards through it, and they shone brighter than any star,
And now they got their energy back, and here you are."

Josie flew out of the kingdom, then return and showered Mabel with treasures.

"Gold and gems! Josie you're a saint;
I'm so rich now, I could faint!"

"Well you helped me, Mabel, so the least I can do is repay you.
I just went back to my kingdom, and this money I withdrew.
And now I must be off on my way,
So until next time, have a good day."

And so, Josie flew off, not realizing that she was only nice because the effect of the shards have worn off. They haven't effected her for hours so now she was back to her old sweet self. But now, receiving six shards all at once, with their energy fully restored, her mind started getting effected by their negative energy even faster than before.