Should artists be paid a living wage?

[GReedDiamond]

73. Kinkade was a "real artist"...

...as much as anyone who claims to be. He made "art," and many, many people bought it, that was his cover story.

Regarding other artists, whether the individual artist makes any money or can even survive being an artist, is an entirely different issue which may or may not depend on the "art" being produced by the artist - it could be great art with no marketing, or shit art with great marketing, or any combination/variation thereof, with financial results having nothing to do with what is "art" or is not.

However, no self-identified/employed "artist" is owed a living any more than any other person in any other occupation..

I have made a living for over 35 years as an artist and musician.

I do a lot of different things, from fine art, to commercial art; using traditional methods and techniques and/or digital; to silkscreen printing and hand painting on a multitude of garments available in your local department stores and boutiques; to buying/selling other people's art; to composing/arranging and playing live/recording and releasing indie music.

If you've seen, for example, "The Phantom," you've seen my costume graphics on the Billy Zane "Phantom" character.

If you've gone to an art gallery in Downtown Los Angeles, you may have seen a painting I made.

If you go on Ebay, you may find me selling my - or somebody else's - artwork.

If you've listened to obscure punk/alternative rock/americana from 1979 to now, you may have heard my music (admittedly not likely, but definitely possible).

I also work with other artists, both visual and musical, on projects they need help with.

Etc. Etc.

Just to get by/make a living.

The one thing I have not done, unlike the late Mr. Kinkade, is defraud anybody in the process of making a living as an artist.