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“Starving Artists” Why perpetuate this?

Paint with Lovejoy
3 min readJun 6, 2023

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When we think of the term “artist,” we often picture starving creatives living in tiny apartments, surviving off ramen noodles to support their passion for painting or playing music. But is this stereotype really accurate? As a fellow creative who has been there and done that, I’m here to debunk the concept of the “starving artist” and provide some insights into why this phrase is nothing more than a myth.

First of all, let’s talk about the perception that artists don’t make any money. While it’s true that some creatives struggle to make a living doing what they love, it’s not because they’re not talented enough or because the industry is too competitive. In fact, there are plenty of successful artists who make a comfortable living wage. The key is to be strategic with your career choices, create a solid business plan, and be willing to put in the work to make things happen.

Another factor that contributes to the myth of the starving artist is the belief that art is a luxurious, non-essential expense. While it’s true that art isn’t necessary for basic human survival, it’s still an incredibly important part of our lives. Art inspires us, challenges us, and adds beauty and joy to our world. Without art, our world would be a pretty grim and uninspiring place. So, let’s start recognizing art as a valuable and necessary part of our society, and compensate…

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Paint with Lovejoy
Paint with Lovejoy

Written by Paint with Lovejoy

Lovejoy has taught first-time & beginner painters exclusively for the last 15 years. Helping students of all ages find their Joy in Painting and creativity.

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