If I did not think it was ‘unkind,’ I would begin ignoring all art “requests.”

The term is just a passive aggressive way of saying, “Can you make art for me for free?”

Which I am not an advocate for. It is so disrespectful to acknowledge a persons talent and refuse to pay them for it, or when payment is offered you give two-three dollars per article. I know when the world ends due to nuclear meltdown a piece of paper and the art that covers it will be worth as much as toilet paper, but this does not mean I have to spend the rest of my life as if I live on the edge of a wasteland and tumble weeds are my only friends.

Unfortunately no matter how frustrating the imposition is, I must swallow the bile that builds when I receive ‘requests,’ opposed to commissions and continue to be kind. Even to those who refuse to see their actions as completely uncalled for.

The bum on the street fly’s a sign and pleads with the passing person for a dollar and by the end of the month could have enough to pay for an apartment and create a credit line at the bank. Of course they can’t spend a dime on food, but they’ll make it.

The issue I have with this is, the bum gives nothing to the world in return for his or her request for spare change. They wrongfully feel entitled and are coddled by the Social Service system.

An artist gives and gives of his or her time, life, and mind and some stingy or cheap consumer will look at the work and desire their own custom made material and ask for a free piece of art.

If they sent me their photo, smiling and presumably happy with this show of callous behavior, I’d illustrate them falling in ‘Dathan’s Pit,’ screaming as he did for forgiveness and mercy. Post the illustration on twitter as a warning to others who find asking an artist to do anything for free. A warning to those that believe art to be a waste of time, unprofitable and not a service to be respected as that of the minimum wage labor ready worker, or a corporate lacky of a company that only has a five year shelf-life.

The brightside of the constant barrage of non-financed conversations I have with bots and real people is held in the comfort of someone speaking to me at all, about the work.