Passing it on:

[darriusthebard]

Every day, there are more and more posts seeking “artists” for everything from auto graphics to comic books to corporate logo designs. More people are finding themselves in need of some form of illustrative service

Comments

[pixelfish]

I got scammed by a couple of people when I was young and innocent. (I let somebody use a design of mine for a measly five bucks because I didn't know any better.)

And point 5 is well-taken. If the only exposure you get from providing somebody free work is another portfolio piece, then the next scammer/cheapass who comes along says, "Well, I see you aren't well known, so really I'm doing you a favour," and the cycle perpetuates. (Eventually you will have a portfolio full of works you can show off, but you know what? It will have all been done with pushy, cheap clients in mind and you'll have to kowtow to their idea of creativity and NOT get paid for it anyway. So you might as well make up projects for yourself because you'll get to be your own boss, pick the colours, and be the art director--not some cheapass.)

[darriusthebard]

I've been ripped off as well.

Really its that stuff that put me off art...well as a proffession. I just don't like the idea of my work not being my own. And of how people will pull it from my head, rape it, then not even let me control it anymore.

Alan Moore or Jonen vasquez seem less crazy when you consider how much has been stolen from them.