Although expressing your creative insights to clients is appropriate, ‘venting’ is not.  I find being a cheerleader and part-time therapist is part of being a rep, but ultimately artists who cannot separate their egos from the clients’ needs will not last long in the illustration business.

       At the end of each year, we reps write our reports for the 1099 tax forms we send to each artist.  The earning power of each artist for that year is quite clear at this point.  If an artist is under-earning, we’ll look at past years’ reports again, and other factors like health, type of jobs, job acceptance, etc.  We reps can only manage a certain number of artists and do the job we expect of ourselves with each individual.  If a couple of artists are not making a sufficient financial contribution, we must make room for artists who will. 

       The NEED to constantly offer clients NEW styles and talents is another important reason to release less productive artists.  After ten years, clients KNOW my ‘regulars,’ and if I hope to continue to catch their attention, I MUST offer new talent!  In addition, ‘old’ talent also needs to offer new looks and subjects. It would be death to the vitality of the entire agency if buyers lose interest in the rep.  It has literally broken my heart to let go  artists whom I’m personally fond of, but if the agency as a whole is to remain vital and of interest to the buying market, a rep must make many tough decisions.