bending over backwards to work for free

[Ken Barnes <barnestrav@xxxxxxxxx>]

Coming from an economics background, I think its
mostly related to a large supply/demand imbalance.
There is an endless supply of creative people and
ideas, but a rather limited supply of cash to fund
their creations.  This leads to competition amongst
the suppliers (artists) to get their ideas to the
front of the line.  I can refuse to participate in a
free maquette competition, but there will be tens or
hundreds of other artists who will gladly speculate
with their time on the possibility they will get the
commission.  Some would call this a competition to see
who will work for the least.

Public commissions can be more profitable than other
forms of artistic work, so artists will gladly give
away their time up front for the chance to make good
money on a commission later.  And we will do what it
takes to impress a neighborhood group that may later
influence a commission selection.  And we will do what
it takes to get press coverage that may later
influence a neighborhood group that may later
influence a commission selection.

The only thing we are not good at is weighting the
potential income by the probability of success to
arrive at an "expected income".  But if artists did
that they would realize how little their time was
worth and take up other careers.  I am thankful that I
choose to ignore the value of my time, and that others
do so as well.  The world is a much richer place.

Ken Barnes (I also have a day job)