I get an incredible amount of requests for illustrations from people with no budget.

It often starts like this: “I wrote a book for my daughter’s birthday…” or includes “This will be a great opportunity to showcase your work.” or this “I would like my book to be illustrated before submitting it to a publisher so I don’t currently have a budget for it”, or one more I had recently “If you’re a money grabbing business you’re not a real artist.” (that one hurt).

NO!

Please people! Show some respect! Illustration is my FULL-TIME JOB! This job is what pays my bills and puts food on my table. No, I cannot go to the bakery to buy bread with ‘exposure’. And no, I’m not a money grabber, I just have bills to pay like everyone else. And no, running a business doesn’t mean I denigrate art or I’m any less of an artist. I give my heart and soul to my art, I work hard to improve my technique and skills, I learn everyday how to be a better artist and how to express myself in my work. I’m also learning to respect myself and to value the work I create. I wish everyone could do the same.

Please, respect professional artists and respect their work. If you like their art don’t expect them to give it out for free.

Thank you.

Johanna