Why is it that artists, more than almost all professions, have struggled so much to get paid for their work? This is a question that has occupied me since I went to college to learn about art.
At that time I did an internship in arts management and learned that you have to be willing to work very long hours and receive very low pay. In art history, I discovered that historically most artists had to be subsidized by royalty, the church, or wealthy tradespeople. Many famous musicians, actors, writers, and artists lived their lives as a “starving artist”.
A Wikipedia entry on the starving artist says: “A starving artist is an artist who sacrifices material well-being in order to focus on their artwork. They typically live on minimum expenses, either for a lack of business or because all their disposable income goes toward art projects.”
Spending all their money on art materials is what many people do, myself included. This can make art fit more into the perception a “hobby” category as far as the business world and the IRS are concerned, rather than the category of “business”. And this often does not help us thrive in such a highly materialistic society as ours.
I once knew a very talented designer, who sewed breathtakingly beautiful garments. I saw her authentic Victorian gown in a store window and greatly admired the richly embroidered leaves that decorated that dress.
That woman loved to create the most unusual designs, would buy the most luxurious fabrics, and sew for hours and hours on a single garment. Eventually, the IRS audited her because she kept claiming losses on her taxes. How could she not? Was what she did she hobby? No, she was always trying to figure out ways to sell her work. Her designs were so good they belonged in galleries, but even that option was beyond her reach.
It seemed that no matter what she tried, she couldn’t get it right in the business of art. But, she didn’t compromise her artistic vision. I admired that, I understood it, but I found out that later she gave up her art. I heard that she went back to doing what brought her income in the beginning of her career.
Did I have any advice for her? Do I know of any answers to the art/business conundrum? No, but I continue to reflect on the question.
One famous teacher whom I know speaks of how we get caught in certain unconscious archetypes — deep psychological patterns, which she calls “sacred contracts”.
Carolyn Myss says that “The Starving Artist represents the fear of financial ruin or the belief that fame and fortune come only after death, which often cause artists to suppress their talents. In evaluating our relationship to this archetype, recognize that the need to bring art to others, such as dedicating part of the energy of your life to supporting artists, is as much an expression of the Artist archetype as actually holding a brush in your hand.”
At this time in our economy, it could be fruitful for us as artists to address our fears about finances in pursuit our art. Whether we’re afraid to spend money on materials or afraid that our work won’t be valued, we can focus the value of our creativity and do business from a new pattern.
What might that new pattern be? Possibly we can imagine ourselves as “The Thriving Artist”. As a thriving artist we would do well to realize that now, more than ever before, the world needs what we have to offer. We can cast ourselves in this new role by educating our audience about the intrinsic value, as well as the huge contribution we make to our society and local economy through our art and creativity. Then we must ask them to change their old pattern, by supporting us financially and with appreciation.
Remember, we are nurturers of beauty and meaning in life, which compensates for the soullessness of the materialism and environmental destruction we so often see. These days, who doesn’t need to live an enriched and meaningful life, free of the compulsion to unnecessarily consume?