It’s Hard Working Off the Benefits Grid

We’re collecting stories from freelancers around the country and sharing them with other members. Share your story and we might feature it on our site. Diego Lopez from New York, NY recently shared his:

I'm an illustrator and digital artist in New York City; I have been doing this for five to six years. It was kind of tenuous at the beginning, but I've established some good working relationships and have many regular clients now.

I work with different advertising agencies and production houses/art directors. I help them sell their ideas by providing them with quality visuals. This is all on a project basis— no contracts beyond a W9— all work is for hire, which means once I submit it they own it.

At the beginning I was a permalancer. I would show up to an office and abide by their politics and working hours— you know, the daily grind— without salary or benefits. As I developed my portfolio and became more comfortable and confident I realized it was not in my best interest to work in an office. People like to flaunt and act out their place in the hierarcy. Since I am a specialist with no real upward mobility— other than the increased quality that experience brings— I found hierarchical politics annoying and counterproductive. I polished my portfolio and hit the streets. Today I work from home most of the time. I do go in–house now and then, but usually on my own terms.

I like that I get paid to draw and paint, which is what I love doing the most. Doing it for a client— on a deadline— makes me better at it. The work is always different so it keeps things interesting.

The biggest obstacle a freelancer can face is long stretches of time without work. Thankfully I have been doing this long enough and have a good client base so this is rare. That said— last year was dismal. It was the first time since starting up that my schedule was punched by lacunae of inactivity that stretched for months. The word recession has a curious effect on clients. I ultimately depend on large corporations. After years of working with advertising agencies you think you've heard it all, until a job falls through because "Coca Cola has no money". A stretch of six to eight weeks without work can really do a number on your nerves. Being off the grid in terms of benefits can make it even worse– it's like walking a tightrope with no safety net. I don't have health insurance. I am in pretty good health otherwise, but I am asthmatic. The thought of paying hundreds of dollars a month makes me sick. However, the thought of being hospitalized and loosing everything is even scarier. I;m currently looking at some catastrophic insurance plans.

It's important to keep youself busy during these dry spells. It gets tedious, calling clients daily knowing that they have no work to give you. I tried to use my time wisely. Not having other obligations gave me a chance to spruce up my portfolio. It's difficult no having any alternatives since I can't apply for unemployment. For a while I was contemplating giving in and getting a salaried job, But I pushed through.

Last year (2009) sucked. Lack of work is stressful, you get nervous, you begin to doubt yourself. Watching the day go by waiting for the phone to ring is draining. It's important to keep busy, prepare for the time when things won't suck. Work on the kinds of projects you wish you were working on when you have clients.

I was without any work for probably four months last year. I was underemployed for the other eight. There were trickles here and there, mainly in the summer. The spring and winter were bloodcurdling. I had to dip into my savings and cut down on things that I would usually indulge in. I was late more often than not in paying bills. I have never been more painfully aware of what a precarious perch I keep as a freelancer.