#artpsa

I recently got an overnight full-time job. It’s a lot of hard work and I’ve been really tired and exhausted because of it. My boyfriend and I are in the moving process. We’ll be moving out of state at the end of the month. We’re both working really hard at our full time jobs just so we can afford the move and the rent at our new apartment.

For the past couple of months, my schedule has been sleep in the morning, wake up in the evening, shower, make food, go to work, come home in the morning and sleep again.

I have two days off a week. I try to spend those days trying to relax but I usually end up being sick or packing and cleaning or other errands that I didn’t get to during my work week. If I’m lucky, I’ll have the motivation to do some quick sketches, but other than that I can’t pull myself to do a full fledged drawing.

One of my coworkers that I frequently work with caught me at work on our lunch break the one time I tried sketching in my sketch book. “Wow, you’re really good! You should draw <insert characters> for my kids!”

I told her I wouldn’t have the time or patience to do free art especially since I’m preparing for a move. I hardly have time to draw as it is. “You drew that in like ten seconds! You’ll be able to find the time to do two paintings for my kids before the move!”

Even though I told her many times I don’t do art for free and that I would not have the time or motivation, she still brings it up every time she sees me and I constantly feel pressured to do art for her even though I’ve said no a million times.

This is one of the reasons I really hate drawing out in public. Everyone who sees that I draw usually asks, begs, or demands a drawing. I know I’m not the only one who has this happen to them.

For all of you artists out there who do go through this...

You. Do NOT. HAVE to draw -anything- for -anyone- for free. You do not have to waste your time and effort on someone who does not respect you and what you do.

If you feel uncomfortable with people asking you for art and you feel pressured, you are allowed to walk away. Do not feel obligated to use your talent in a way that makes you feel used or uncomfortable.

I hope this helps someone out in the world.