Making Rent VS Making Art

Andy Berky always says Sometimes you make rent, and sometimes you make art. This project is one where I felt like I was just making rent.  While I intend to always make art, the bills still need to be paid, and not every client looking for custom furniture is in need of art.  The bookcase featured in this project was for a Denver, Colorado, Client.

 Sometimes You Make Rent, Sometimes You Make Art: The Maker’s Dilemma

Andy Berky always says, “Sometimes you make rent, and sometimes you make art.” This project was definitely one where I felt like I was just making rent—so much so that I wasn’t even sure if I’d publish the video.

 Building Someone Else’s Design

I was commissioned to build a small bookcase with a couple of drawers on top based entirely on a client’s drawings. As someone trying to establish myself as a designer, this wasn’t my ideal project. But like anyone else, I had bills to pay. It’s not the end of the world, but when you’re trying to grow a design business, you don’t necessarily want to showcase work that isn’t your design in your portfolio.

I always aim to publish only the work that:

• Advances my portfolio
• Helps grow my business
• Moves me forward as an artist
• Is worth promoting across social media (TikTok, Instagram, etc.)

There’s an old saying: “You’re only as good as your last published work.” And it’s true—people remember what’s most recent. Whether it’s a YouTube video, an Instagram post, or a Google search result, the latest thing you put out is what sticks in people’s minds.

The Cycle of “Making Rent” vs. “Making Art”

Another frustrating pattern? Whenever I publish a project I don’t want to replicate, I inevitably get requests to build more of the same. That starts a cycle: Build things to pay rent → Get asked to build more rent-paying things → Repeat. Meanwhile, the time spent on those projects takes away from creating work that actually pushes my art and business forward.

When Should You Publish “Rent Work”?

If you’re in the fabrication business (rather than design), showcasing skilled craftsmanship can be valuable, especially if you’re working with big-name clients. Being “the person who builds things for Nike (or another major brand)” can add serious clout to your portfolio.

But a word of caution: Always check professional (and legal) boundaries. Some clients may not want their name or project publicly shared. Big corporations, in particular, might have strict policies. To avoid issues:

1. Ask for permission before name-dropping them.
2. Include a clause in your contract allowing you to photograph/video your work and share it (with or without attribution).

In 2024, ghosting is practically the norm—clients often ignore emails, texts, and DMs. That’s why my contract explicitly states that I can document and publish my work. If they don’t respond, I can still share the project (just without their branding).

The Catch-22 of Being a Maker

At the end of the day, it’s a balancing act. Sometimes you make rent, sometimes you make art. The key is making the best of the “rent” projects so you can fund the “art” projects. That’s why, years later, I decided to post this video—it’s another piece of content, another bit of AdSense revenue, and hopefully, a small step toward the next big design.

So to my fellow makers and artists: Keep grinding, but always keep an eye on the bigger picture. Because even the “rent” projects play a part in the journey.

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Making Rent VS Making Art

Andy Berky always says Sometimes you make rent, and sometimes you make art. This project is one where I felt like I was just making rent.  While I intend to always make art, the bills still need to be paid, and not every client looking for custom furniture is in need of art.  The bookcase featured in this project was for a Denver, Colorado, Client.

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