Why are artists poor?
They aren’t always poor. Many artists through history have become quite famous and rich during their lifetimes. In fact, that’s true of most of the great artists we know of today. It’s a misconception to think that they are always poor. Today, there are fewer outlets — fewer patrons and major commissions — than there once were, so artists sell largely through galleries. Getting a gallery to accept you and promote your work can be difficult. However, if you are taken on by a major dealer, you can become quite affluent and make your living entirely from your art. There are certainly important artists today who do exactly that. If they teach, it’s because they like teaching.
