I feel like I should own up a bit today. I had a lovely comment from Rosalind Davis on my blog yesterday, which I really appreciated. BUT! I wanted to say that although I have very strong opinions on some things and trying to improve conditions for artists, I am far from advanced in this (as Rosalind suggests).
The problem starts when I have to negotiate my own working conditions – then I fall far short of my own ideal standards and quickly into the trap of undercharging. Sometimes I know I am doing it, but don’t feel I can ask for more. Other times I only realise afterwards when the work kicks in and I calculate my hourly rate with horror. Thankfully, while sorting out some support from a-n for an upcoming event I’m working on, Susan Jones stopped me in my tracks and re-did the budget. In a nice way, the message was something like, for goodness sake Emily, read your own blog and apply it to real life will you?!?
So easy as it is to see the value in other people’s work, correct their underpricing and feed with reassurance and confidence, it’s just not that simple for yourself. That might be a good reason for keeping in touch with other artists and build up good networks. Then you’ll have someone around to set you straight when you forget you need to eat.
