Does anybody remember what it was like to get a work commission?

[richard_littler@mastodon.social]

Does anybody remember what it was like to get a work commission? Like in the olden days. When you tell people now that you're a graphic designer/illustrator, they look at you like you said 'town crier' or 'wheelwright' or 'candlemaker' or 'galley rower'.
When you tell people you're trying to sell one novel and are writing another, they look at you like you've just told them you soil yourself because you enjoy it.