>I sometimes wonder: why do we so badly want artists to be able to make a living of their work? Because art takes time, effort, practice, talent, and the cost

>I sometimes wonder: why do we so badly want artists to be able to make a living of their work? Because art takes time, effort, practice, talent, and the cost of materials. If someone produces something of value, they should be paid for that value. In order to produce art, the artist needs a roof over their head and food in their stomach. As a society, we value it enough to spend millions on it every year. If you want art made by "people like us", buy it from them. If you don't feel like there is value in work by people who make their living painting or singing, don't buy it. If you want people to do it for peanuts because that means they're passionate about it, that just shunts them off with teachers, CNAs, social workers, park rangers, and all the other folks doing difficult and demanding work where their compensation doesn't even begin to reflect their effort and the value they bring to society. But they should shut up and smile while they do it because they're passionate about it.