Garcon a la Pipe by Picasso - Sold for $137.5 Million
“Oh after you mop the floor and clean the barn, can you finish the Sistine chapel in your spare time?” Contributed by my Facebook Friend Ross Fletcher
I woke up feeling quite feisty this morning. Nothing makes me spit nails more than the idea that some people under-value the work of artists.
Last night I was at a Blog World Expo party in Las Vegas. I met a pretty boy from a social media company who asked about my blog. I told him that I help artists make a living doing what they love with art.
Pretty boy replied, “Artists shouldn’t be paid for their art. Getting paid prevents them from creating really good stuff.”
Drew and Maria June 17, 2000
I thought back to the artsy photographers I hired for my wedding day. They were more expensive than your average wedding photographer, but they gave me something wonderful: stunning photos of the most important day of my life!
I can’t even entertain the thought that being paid makes your work less good. That’s the biggest load of crap I’ve ever heard.
I asked him, “If they don’t get paid, who feeds their families and pays for their supplies?”
“They should work another job,” he said, rather smugly.
I want to make three points about Art, Contribution and Money with this article:
- Your art is a CONTRIBUTION to society. It brings joy, it solves problems, and it makes this world a better place.
- Being paid ALLOWS you to make that contribution to society.
- Your contribution expands in relation to the amount of time you put into it. More hours = expanded contribution to this world with your God-given talent.
We live in a money-based society. That won’t change anytime soon – so those of you who say “money isn’t important” get over it!
I almost punched pretty boy in the face when he said to me, “Artists are better off working a job they hate and then painting in their spare time.”
This is the problem I have with that:
a.) No one should work a job they hate. You were put on this earth with talents and you are meant to do that which you are good at and what you love!
b.) The world is missing out on your contribution. The less an artist creates, the less they grow. It requires hours upon hours to hone your craft.
If you are at a “real job” for 40-50 hours a week, doing what you hate, and then you have to come home and be a parent, and mow the lawn, and feed your kids, when will you create art?
I have friends who regret living most of their lives working in an office job and only creating a few paintings a year because that’s all there was time for. Think of how much their talent would have improved, how much they could have shared, had they created all day instead!
“Soooooo”, I asked the pretty boy, my blood getting hot with frustration, “do you get paid for YOUR work?”
Of course, the answer was yes. “Does getting paid make your work less good?” I asked. “Well, no” he said. “That’s different.”
Yeah, I thought so.
This topic drives me insane. Why should one small segment of the population have their work devalued so much that they are forced to struggle? Should interior designers also not be paid, and should musicians play for free and should the guy who artistically installs my decorative bathroom tile do it for nothing?
And an even better question is this: why should my plumber be paid more than an artist?!
Drew Brophy has been a working artist since he was a teenager. He’s always “Lived by the Paintbrush.”
When he was in his twenties, he painted surfboards for a living. A lot of them. So many that he’s become known in the surf industry as the artist who changed the way that surfboards were painted.
He says that painting 10-15 surfboards a day helped him to get really good and to develop a very strong style of his own. His style is now well recognized and many people try to emulate it and attribute their artwork to being inspired by Drew.
If Drew had been working in another field and only painting in his spare time, he would have been wasting his talent.
Drew paints what he wants, and he loves doing it. When someone commissions a painting, it’s because they love his style. It’s a beautiful way to put art into the world and be able to live a good life.
Charging for his artwork allows him to make people happy with his art. Without payment, he wouldn’t have the time, because he’d have to pay the bills by working on something else. And there’s only so much time in the day.
Though he hardly paints surfboards anymore, occasionally he will. These paintings BRING GREAT JOY TO PEOPLE. When they see their very own Drew Brophy surfboard painting for the first time, their eyes light up!
One happy surfer boy!
(The picture to the left is from a thank you card that ten year old Spencer wrote, thanking Drew for his painted surfboard – he is proud to be seen with it!)
Charging for your artwork enables you to make a contribution to the world with your art. It allows you to develop your style and to get better and better at what you do.
Most of my friends are creative people. The rare few that don’t care about being paid are either supported by a family member or have another career that they really enjoy.
We live in a money based society. That isn’t going to change right now. It costs money to eat, put your kid in sports, to have a home. We most likely won’t see that change in our lifetime.
As long as we are stuck in a money based system, I find it an outright insult to all hardworking artists to say they shouldn’t be paid for what they do.
It’s just a crazy notion that this one, single profession should work for free! (While everyone else gets paid…)
What do you think?
Everything is true, but why bother even discussing it? Just push on. However I have always disliked the plumber comparison. This does not elevate the artists role. Please compare with a doctor or teacher.
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This is like saying “You shouldn’t get paid for manufacturing widgets, because then your widgets won’t be as good.”
Art is a business. Artists “fail” for the same reason that traditional businesses “fail”: they connect what they supplied with those that demand. Sometimes that demand doesn’t exist, sometimes the supply is not well publicized. They write large business books on these subjects, and they can be about art as much as anything else. It’s creative, but it’s a creative business.
Except it’s not. Create art and being an artist is not a business. Corporatizating art and creating corporate and commissioned artwork is a business.
This is just the kind of comments I needed to read after yet again offering to do some sewing for a friend who happily took and made no offer of payment. IU get caught all the time with friends even at my tender age of mid 60’s 🙂 How do I get paid a fair price for my work which is of good quality and has almost 60 years experience behind it. It really makes me feel taken advantage of and I don’t know how to change it. can anyone make a suggestion please. I should be a top class paid dressmaker/tutor and earn money enough to live well on rather than just living.
Dear Sewitwell,
Thanks for landing on my blog! To answer your question – “How do I get paid a fair price for my work” – it’s simple – don’t do any work, or give any work, to anyone, until after they have paid. Period. Have a price sheet, and when someone wants your services or your work, say “here’s what it will cost. I take cash or checks or credit cards. How do you want to pay?” And once it’s paid, give them the goods. No one can take advantage of you without your consent. Only you can change it. Today!
Sewitwell, in addition to all of the points made by Maria in her response to you, I would add one more. Be your own best customer! By that I mean value yourself, value your work and refuse to give it away. No apologies!
. Neat article, I totally agree with this. I believe fine arts artists should get some fair share of money. It’s quite sad that there are many poor fine art artists and many rich “artists” that the media exploits. I am an artist, people say my art is good telling me that I should be an artist when I grow up. I try selling my art to them but all I hear that they can’t afford it. I only ask around 15-20 bucks a piece, What’s the point of being an artist if no one can’t afford to pay me… though to them it’s too much of a price to ask. When the irony is that they are willing to pay alot of $ just to buy albums of their favorite music artists… They don’t know I take time off from my studies just to make art…
It’s a load of crap. I’m still young, around the age of 13-15
I don’t plan on being an artist when I reach the age of adulthood till this injustice to artists ends.
Ted- I agree with you. This should be implemented. We should go on a strike to get the world’s attention. It would actually bring some aprecciation to our efforts
I tend to draw a crowd that isn’t prepared to pay what I’m asking for the pieces, yet they no less then demand that I continue making and showing my work for their viewing pleasure. Yet, as you say, I have to pay the bills as they do, so I wonder, could they imagine the world they are paying for? That world is an artless one, because all the artists had to get jobs that guarantee an income. That is why I’ve decided to make a view changes and from now on will be charging admission to my view my work. All artists should go on strike and deprive the world of its free art it feels so entitled to be entertained by every weekend in every city. – See more at: https://mariabrophy.com/business-of-art/why-
artists-should-not-be-paid-for-their-artwork.html#comment-74672
Ted, so you want all the worlds artists to go on strike so you can get paid to view your paper cut outs, is that right? You might as well dream of money falling from the sky. Ted, I have been a successful commercial and fine artist for 45 years and one thing I have observed from all of my peers is that if an artist is good enough the buyers will pay. Artists must see themselves first and see how they compare to the greats who do get paid. And maybe the fault is with you. Remember the line from the film. TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRES? It takes a hundred men to cover the hill so that one man can find the gold.
Without art the world would be boring. Artists SHOULD get alot of pay because it’s not easy to be a pro. It takes motivation and skill. I’m a total artist and your saying I have no place in this world? That I can’t get paid doing what I love? Grow up. I appreciate science, math and other jobs out there. I’m not dissing what you love. I’m an artist and I have a right to live and make money in this world.
My husband has been encouraging me to go forth with a certain medium that I’ve taken a fancy to. In order to make money. After reading this, what you wrote, I feel liberated to go ahead and do it! It’s very inspiring to hear such validation. Thank you!
Agreed 100 percent. I have had this conversation with a number of people, and in fact I work a second job which, though I enjoy, it doesn’t fulfill me like my art does. I could work on my art 12 hours a day, or night. 🙂 Still, it’s a dream.
I’m always approached by my “friends” who just love my work but it’s not in their budget (they want it for free) not even offering to pay for the frame or canvas, I’ve just had to stop doing this kind of work as they seem to think later on all they have to do is “like” my work and they’ll get another one free. thanks Dixie
WOW…THANK YOU!! I came across this blog post while searching google for crowdfunding sources for artists. I work festivalsm art shows, craft shows, corporate shows, beer and wine festivals, and mall carts at the holiday with myAmazing Photo Letters business…and as the economy has gotten worse, I hear more and more nasty comments from customers on the same line of thinking from that little turd you ran into! Frankly, it is our schools and parents poo-pooing art as a living that has perpetrated this mindset. And- APPARENTLY, school teachers are telling kids to steal ideas from others beacuse that is the greatest form of FLATTERY to an artist!! WHAT?? NO, the greates form of flattery to an artiosts is to GET PAID Exactly the amount of money we are asking for our work and contribution to their pleasure and joy!!! Not having our work, yes, WORK, stolen, trashed, treated as if it is nothing and childs play!! I for one, have never had a problem asking for money for my work. I have become very discourgaed however at the lack of support, respect and encouragement I receive in this world. THANK YOU for being an advocate!! Muah 🙂
There is a difference being commissioned for your art work as compared to selling it. You hire your interior designer whereas you most likely wouldn’t pay someone to preemptively rearrange your furniture in your house. In your Sistine Chapel example (or other major works of the era), it is logical (and a safe investment) to commission someone who was highly trained in the classics or had a long-term apprenticeship. In addition, their services served a greater purpose than creativity for the sake of creativity. So, I doubt “pretty boy” undervalues the work of art, but he recognizes that the work of a plumber who can unclog your toilet after you take too big of a dump is more valuable than the work of a marginal modern artist.
This is brilliant- thank you! I am one of those artists that creates only a few paintings a year because i work a desk job and only have time to paint in my spare time- it doesn’t improve the quality of my work- I can tell you that- it just adds to my frustration- lol
right on!
educating the public is one step, the other step is to educate the artists. Thats our goal also!
You are so right I’ve been furious about this issue myself and intending to write an article on it!
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One must remember though that there is generally a class of artist that under normal circumstances does NOT get paid, and that is the beginner. The beginner usually creats art work for free just to get started. Also there are those artists that are not very good at it and they usually dont make much money even though there inflated ego’s tell them that they are pretty terriffic.
“Art…solves problems”
Yeah ok, tell me how the hell does art solve problems, like heart disease, sending people to the moon, etc.
Art is all about FEELINGS, not about problem-solving
Anything that sheds light on an issue facing society helps to solve problems. Art represents the time in which we live, and good or bad shines a light on what is going on.
It’s about risking ones reputation, and existence at times.
Picasso was exiled from Spain after creating “Guernica”, one of his most brilliant pieces depicting a horrible bombing.
One instance in time, captured by an individual’s FEELINGS.
More profound to me than landing on the moon.
My thoughts exactly. And this is coming from someone who draws and writes. I have the perspective to know that although “art” is important, the hubris from other artists, at times — thinking that the world would implode if they don’t create art (actually, THEIR world would implode and nobody would really care) — are downright delusional fools.
Ah yes!!! My mom had a very wealthy sister whose wealth derived from the vast cattle ranch and the banks that she and her husband owned… My mom was once lamenting to her sister about how much of a struggle it can be to make even a meager living in the arts, and her sister replied, “Oh, but artists don’t need to make money because THEY LOVE WHAT THEY DO!” Hah!!! I have often imagined asking her, “So, then if you LOVE operating your ranch and your banks, shouldn’t you be living in poverty? And shouldn’t your foreman, cowboys and managers, as well?” And what if a plumber happens to love his job? Should he only get paid if he hates it? Ridiculous!
Kristi, it’s clear (well, not so much because you didn’t “get” it) that your aunt was going by the stereotype that artists rejects money because “it doesn’t matter.” Artists and their fans are known to spout “I’m doing what I love/passionate about!” It wasn’t meant to be an insult to artists. But then again you, being the uber sensitive person you are, took it as an offense. And your aunt runs a business – that basically means profit … profit actually means money. Ridiculous!
I am an artist and it’s the only work i enjoy. i love to create. but i am only 17 and have been having trouble finding a way to make a living off of my art work…
Me, I give up on the whole thing. I’m past the age where I have any illusions left about ‘making it’. What’s the point of cluttering up my home with stuff nobody cares about? I’ve been toting it around with me every time I move & it gets to be more of a nuisance each time.
I too am an artist as I like to think of my self and though I disagree with the idea as much as the rest of you, i don’t think that this person was stupid. I just think that if that was his opinion then so be it. I mean, not everyone is going to agree with your beliefs. If this was how it was then the world would be boring. Therefore I choose not to judge this person by his opinion. So I find it foolish to call him stupid. That is what I am really furious about. Just because a person believes something you don’t it doesn’t make him or her stupid.
Great article Maria, thanks.
thanks Jim!
i think that guy is a wanker and needs a good slap. I am 20 years old and trying to become an artist and yes i wish to be a very wealthy man through my art but more importantly that money will help me help the young generation in britain as i plan to run a program where i can take those ignored, bored, missunderstood teenagers who hang around on the streets and get called thugs to go out and do exciting important activities. i plan to teach them how to drive and those without proper guidence i will help them to learn how to look after them selves. our teenagers are crying out for someone to teach them moral guidance but no ones listeaning. my point is if that pretty guy can read this, its people like you that ruin this world but if you stand in my way when i try to become successfull and help others i will hack you down like the scum you are, so stay out of my way and enjoy the rest of your day
well i will stick to my word and let him think what he wants
teach the parents to give moral guidance. Its not your job!
I’m not trying to start anything! I just think its very inappropriate and immature of you all to be talking about how terrible you think this person is when you haven’t even met him.
Funny, I would have wanted to punch the guy in the face too after hearing something like that.
1. This jackass believed himself to be better than others. While not having much going on for him.
2. It was painful to read this guy’s “reasoning skills”…
Someone pass that guy a glass of bleach, we need less stupidity in this world.
Be kind, obviously this man has not found his art therefore, Jealousy ensues. Unable to visualize himself Creatively Living, he lashes out at a “cruel world” from the weakest stance criticism, but really it is an invitation. Some people poke a dead body to see if it has life – to learn. Feed him, console his grieving lost soul mourning what feels like will Never be. Be the Love that you put into your art even when you aren’t in front of the canvas or lens. Invite him in and destroy him forever. Love
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believe me i would prefer to live in poverty than sell my soul to the devil. ANYDAY!
I CHOOSE GOD NOT FALSE GODS OF MONEY AND IT NEVER BRINGS HAPPINESS!
Art Galleries??? What a load of crap . Baahahaha theres a so called artist who creates wrk from garbage ! but its just glued on trash in a haphazard nonsensical sty;le what a load of shit.its uninspiring . To me the uglier the Art the more they like it. Its encourages them.
Oh my I am one of those artist that you would probably consider as taking garbage and making into art as I use recycled material and I turn into what I have been told is very nice work
I’m not sure how I got to this blog, but boy am I glad I did! Maria, what a great piece, a very important one and one that I am afraid only those with talent of their own would understand. I suspect ‘pretty boy’ is fairly talentless. I’m 46 years old and had spent 25 of those years working in property law here in the UK. I only ever struggled by with an average income. A couple of years back I had an episode of enlightenment and thought ‘what the hell am I doing?’ So I took the plunge, I left the job and took a part time one, now I write books (that no-one buys) paint the odd surfboard and to earn a living I trade forex. I now have less money but what I like to call a ‘big’ life, I love my life and I look forward to every new day. Would I like an income stream from my books? Yes, of course, I could stop trading forex and concentrate on my art. But for me I get heaps of enjoyment out of the process of writing, I would spend more time doing it if I could. So I fully endorse your article Maria, it would be awesome to be paid, it would be a double whammy! Enjoy the work and then get money for it. But I say to all those creative types, get out of the 9to5 if you can, save some money and take the plunge, life will not come knocking at your door, you need to out there and grasp it.
omg thank you so much this was so beautiful. almost have tears
I am a single mom and artist. I had a “real job” for ten years that made me so miserable I didn’t want to get out of bed. I had no time for anything working 50 hours a week . But I studied art in college and paid money to learn a trade had skills that I was not using. Everybody encouraged me to pursue art but when I lost my regular job everybody told me I was crazy! You can’t support a child off art ! I was so angry …. Why ? Because it’s a hobby? Art is important after all imagine a day without art , impossible ! If I spend 100 hours on a piece and invest 200.00 in supplies I should be paid for my time not just the cost . After all mechanics charge you to install the parts to the car because it takes time from their day to install. I take time from my family to create art and I deserve to be paid for that .
You are amazing, i love this whole thing!
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One of the craziest things about the myth that artists starve is the counter myth that supports it. I used to recruit lawyers; my company paid them $25 per hour and some of them had loans of over $250K.
Many, many, many occupations are competitive, risky, and occasionally require supplemental “day jobs” to keep the bills paid. Few people suggest that this means “nobody” can make a living at these things or that the practitioner should do anything less than learn the business end and do whatever it takes to put the practice first.
“Day jobs” themselves are not the problem; they just don’t work if they’re either all-encompassing, competing careers or are such low-paid grunt work that they drain a person.
THANK YOU.
I am sick of people asking me for a “quick” or “simple” drawing and being upset because I expect to be paid for it.
What’s more, I love your arguement against why I should have a “proper” job, which I do and I dislike.
Sue Pownall, Its no big deal to do a quick and simple drawing for free. If you are really a good artist it should only take you a few minutes. I have made a million dollars as a professional artist and lots of that came from me hooking the customer with a quick sketch. Stop complaining about it and do what it takes.
Yep, I’ve had that experience, too. I’ve been ripped off before. I guess the trick is to give them a taste of what you can do. But only a taste. Spend very little time on it. If they are intrigued, they might want more and purchase a finished piece.
Thank you for your article, I woke up angry at the world for this notion that should starve and/or continue to work a job I hate in order to feed my family. I am glad I found this article and to know that I am not the only one who feels that art FEEDS people, so why should I starve?
Thanks.
M.
Mak, if your starving as an artist, chances are you are not good enough to get paid.
Off moments happen to the best of us RON CROCI.
Thanks for accepting me. I’m a wooden crafts & sculptures,showpieces & office accessories artist in Bangladesh. Any kinds of wooden crafts & other products are make very easily by my own hand. If you can get a chance then I’ll show my better performance.
Excellent entry. Happily, I can testify as one lucky enough to make my living at my art — I used to do a lot of freelance commercial prototypes as well, but now it’s mostly my own stuff. I’ve found the internet invaluable for marketing — doubt I’d be in business otherwise! And yes, if Pretty Boy had known art history, he would know that professional artists have been paid and had paying, supporting patrons for centuries. You are exactly right: the more you are able to work at it, the more you grow, and many if not most of the great works now considered landmarks and turning points in art were not created for nothing. We would still do it, alone on the proverbial desert island, but to achieve our best — hey, food and lodging help!
Unfortunately there are agents, licensing companies, customers and private commissioners who also believe artists should create a protfolio for free, for them, for worldwide exposure, and have varying ways of making the artist believe they should. I am a full time “starving artist” currently struggling with being asked to create ALOT of work on a spec basis, and it’s also coming up to my 15th Christmas Day alone, as I can’t afford to do anything or go anywhere, much less treat myself – but what can be done??
Just wanted to add, I have been making money every month whilst low, and have won art awards and competitions – jsut in deffence to Ron’s comment….support is good Ron!
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Now I’m in going to be a big financial problem.how can I build up my carrier again?
I work in another profession besides creating art. I have been doing it the last twelve years. I am micromanaged and told what I’m doing wrong often. There was a time I had a balance in this career, and I could fif my work in here and there. Not anymore. The Boss Man takes all of my time up. I might throw in the towel soon and work part time so I can do my art. I want to show the world what I can do!
I view myself as cursed because I have an extreme talent with painting. I was judged second in a competition with ten thousand entries years ago, and the first picture I tried to sell went for 7k. my pics are better than high res photos. I’ve been working a real job for the last 4 years and have just gone full time painting again. God knows how long I will survive.
Why should a plumber be paid more than an artist… if you need to ask that question you are beyond help. Simple answer, because the plumber is far more useful, functional and utilitarian than an artist.
‘Oh your house is flooding because of a burst pipe, quick best buy yourself a painting to cover over the watermarks…’- No-one ever.
Apples & oranges. Why should we have to make comparisons at all? Is there some kind of law as to who gets paid what? Value is totally subjective. And everyone’s time and effort is equally valuable, nonsubjectively.
When I want something fixed, I pay the person who fixes it. If I want something that feeds my soul, I pay the person who created it.
Neither one of those needs are less than the other. It’s a matter of which is more urgent at a given time, not a question of value.
Bravo Karin, wonderfully commented.
Sounds like Pretty Boy was just flirting with you.
Oh ya. You are right on the money! Someone when you are an artist your ‘work’ is devalued and perceived as a hobby. There is a convert question and idea that an artist doesn’t and shouldn’t really expect to get paid? I say have that same agenda next time you take your car to a mechanic, or a dentist etc.This attitude drives me totally bonkers too!
I have to agree. And I have a question for everyone that says artists shouldn’t be paid. What about Disney? That is art work in and of itself, should no one pay for their films? And the film industry itself, that is art, should all the films, T.V. shows, etc. also be free?
And then there are the comedians out there, should all their work be for free? Not one of them even earning a financial thank you for the joy they bring to the world?
All in all it’s nice to try and ignore the world and truths we live in but eventually if you don’t acknowledge them and deal with them as best you can they will come up and bite you in the ass; even if it’s something as “small” as never having been what your soul and heart wants and was born to be, an artist.
Well presented with passion. When you know the value of your art-making process, the price of your work reveals itself.
Hi Maria,
Sincerely, I feel as though this post of yours has changed my life quite a bit, as my heart once again yearns to reach out and grab the first medium it sees. Tearing while realization hits, and never fully realizing how much I have been holding back… from the world, and most importantly from myself. I now know why a part of me has felt like it has been missing. It was the same time as when paper turned blank for the first time, instead of being instantly vivid with what my mind imagined to put on it.
As an artist, I enjoy every delicate stroke, every soft or hard line, every color or shade, with so much passion. But over a couple of short years, I lost that passion due to many, many obstacles in my personal life. It was as if my brushes turned into a distant memory, cold stone, even forgetting that I have so many, or any at all! My pencils, inks, paints, chalks, pastels, everything… felt sooooo heavy… so lost.
Only recently, have I regained the yearning to turn surfaces into masterpieces, just as turning water into wine. Though my mediums still felt heavy; after a while I started to doodle, and even create simple sketches again. This was challenging for me. Think of it, as all of a sudden being best friends again with someone long, long ago. No, it takes more time than that, as the tried-to-forget memories come back more sensitive than ever.
I am one of those artists, who works 40-50 hours a week, and is not happy with a minute of it. That is because my true passion was left behind by my own doing.. All this time, and my heavy heartedness kept me from what I love most, and what makes me feel most free. Though I do not want to create art 24/7, but at least 10/3.
I still have other passions, but creating, cannot EVER be left behind. It is part of who I am, what I do, how I feel, what I will never be able say. Pieces of things my mouth will never be able to put together, explain, or interpret to others. This one outshining, special talent that God has given me can explain anything to anyone, more so than I myself can ever imagine. With every masterpiece, every sketch, every stroke… my artwork always surprises even myself at the outcome.
The world will always see me in one way as a person; but my artwork will show the world that I am not what they make of me.
So thank you Maria,
For helping me realize how much I have been holding back from the world… from myself…
Renée
Maybe he was talking about the kind of art that isn’t bound by the stipulations of the payer. The changing art? The avant garde? The kind that gets quashed by people who have money and don’t get it, so don’t want it, so say no?
i have been an artist my entire life. i have been paid for my work, but most of the time i am not. artists have to realize that being paid for your work is not a measure of your talent or passion, many ppl myself included feel that artists have been held ransom by making art about making money. a true artist does art because they are moved to, because they cannot stop themselves from creating. it is not a switched to be turned on and off by the highest bidder.
Well said. The true artist will always find a way.
The urge to create will assert itself no matter, that’s true. And money isn’t necessarily a measure of worth or ability. But even the likes of Michelangelo and Leonardo expected to be paid and make a living.
The idea of the starving artist doing it for love alone didn’t come along until the early 1800’s, Romantic Era. The notion really hasn’t done us any favours.
Napoleon II even said he wanted to encourage art but discourage artists.
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I read the title…and was about to destroy you. But then I read your very well written article. Well done.
Thank you so much for this article. I have been working at all kinds of non art related jobs and as a mother and haven’t really created much art for about 10 years. By the time I get home from work and take care of the house and kids I am too tired to create anything. I just took a drawing class and apparently my skills are not entirely gone. I am 40 now and it is about time I make my living as an artist now. Not sure how but done wasting my time at jobs I really do not love. But need to pay the bills so need to get on it right away.
It always amazes me how “friends” will suggest that you give them paintings just because your their friend , to me that’s is just low class rude (especially since you have already given them several, I finally have a comeback answer which is( If you would like a print we’ll go make one for ya!! Nuff said