Gary Taxali at Drawger: “Don’t call me”

Luc Latulippe | April 30th, 2009

Do you draw for a living? If you do, you’ve no doubt noticed huge budget cuts, and grabbier than ever “all rights” contracts lately. Gary Taxali tells us what he’s doing about it on his Drawger blog, and the 100+ supportive comments are a testimony to the pinch we’re all feeling. (A note to the easily-offended and anyone coming here just for pretty pictures: Gary’s post contains grown-up language, and the illustration he uses involves a bird being flipped.)

DON’T CALL ME
In the last little while, there has been a MAJOR backslide in the industry. Poor rates have been an issue for a while but things are becoming worse. Clients fees are getting even lower and the rights theyre demanding are even higher.

You want examples? How about SWATCH calling me and asking me to design a watch. They wanted a complete transfer of copyright for a paltry fee. As if thats going to happen. Google calls me and wants my work for their new search engine all over the web, the fee? Nothing. Editorial clients are slashing 1999s fees almost in half and citing the bad economy as an excuse. You know what? My excuse is that the economy is bad so you have to pay me MORE for an illustration. Hows that for an economic stimulus package?

So heres to every client with shitty fees and terms. Do not waste my time or contact me. I am very busy working with clients who respect artists and youre wasting my time with your solicitations. So for you, I give you a special salute that I hope will keep you away because I dont need your work.

Fist showing its middle finger

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  • Its tough in the present environment, but we all have to learn to duck and weave, keep making great illustrations, and be smart about how we do business.
  • At least Taxali is "very busy working with clients who respect artists," and gallery shows, etc. It's even worse for illustrators just starting out who can't afford NOT to take jobs, no matter how bad the terms might be.
  • je je je...............
  • ElleDriver
    @Pat: yes, Taxalli is a very well known illustrator and can afford to turn down work, but the fact that big clients are even trying to screw HIM (asking for free work!) shows that companies are willing to screw-over both famous and lesser-known talent.

    The fact is, any artist working in the industry should NOT be taking work that forces them to work under "bad terms." Agreeing to these terms lowers the bar on industry standards and expectations, which doesn't do yourself or your fellow working artists any favors.

    Unscrupulous clients have long tried to cut corners, and they're only using the current economy as an excuse.
  • cartoongoddess
    Precisely! Well said Gary.
  • migy
    Right on!
  • Young Guns should love this time, as it's typically the period in your career when you get screwed over anyway!

    Well said, Gary. I'm holding out on prices/rights for now, too.
  • shingetter
    The t-shirt of the bird-man resonates even more with me now so I have to buy one!
    Google is notorious for sinking money into fighting copyright laws that benefit only them and screw artists. They were one of the big companies lobbying for the Orphan Works Act to pass so they can go suck canal water in Venice.
    We as artists should unite and all simultaneously flip the bird to these unbelievably arrogant companies/people like waving lighters at a concert!
    Well done Mr. Taxali!
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