When You Put Your Creativity on Sale…

Photo by Hunter Peress

I don't know where we get the idea that being creative precludes one from being responsible. 

In September, I hired a graphic designer to create a logo. When no finished design was furnished by November, I sent him an email relieving him of the responsibility of completing his unfinished task.  He replied that he was just then putting the finishing touches on the work and could send it to me that evening. What a coincidence. I said, no thank you. 

In the interim, I'd hired someone else who'd gotten the work done in one day, for less than half the deposit I had paid the original artist.

I'm disappointed in myself for not being more on top of things. Despite having a contract and a deposit I let a fellow working artist slide and not give me what I expected and paid for. I allowed deadlines to pass and accepted excuses that while I more than understood on a personal level, were not my problem on a professional one.

The reality is, the cost of putting your creativity on sale is that you have to deliver it when the customer wants it. Not just when you feel like it.

Thankfully, this is a tax-deductible lesson. 

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