So…

In the first five minutes of my day, I received a phone call. I was not yet awake; I let it go to the machine.

The caller was someone that spoke with me in the past about printing my naughty designs on t-shirts and selling them across the country as he travels for vendors markets. He wants to print up four or five of my designs…

For IML.

Yes. He wants my designs so bad, he gave me all of a two day notice before he needs the files to the printer.
I dislike rushing for someone else’s disorganization. I despise it.

Also, as a point. The last time he and I spoke about the endeavor, I was waiting for a contract in writing before sending the files. I am still waiting for something in writing. Since he has taken his leisure with that and now needs the shirts, surely I will just send him my files…?

Um, no.

I deal – although poorly – with non-profits and fundraisers constantly wanting free stuff. These days, the requests come from folks that have never even seen my stuff – and act like they have. The requests come from people that have not yet even spent five dollars on a note card to support me as an artist. I deal. If they give me advance notice, and I have things on hand, and I like the cause… then I am still good to go.

I draw the lines as bastard salesmen that want a clean cut profit on my images without offering me the security I need to ensure my own investment in my own art.

Lack of organization on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine.

But what about the money…?

I don’t care if it is IML. I don’t care if it is the thirtieth IML. I don’t care if every leatherfolk in the world will be in Chicago. If it does not meet my terms, I don’t care how big the opportunity is. Who cares if he can sell a thousand shirts, if I have nothing on paper that says I am entitled to any of it.

My illustrations are the only thing in my life that are truly just mine. I am the reason they exist. I am fine with not making money on them, but I will be damned if I make nothing while someone else rolls in cash for them.

Bother.