Don’t you?  You go to work every day hopefully, in order to be fulfilled spiritually and satisfied financially.  This way, you can have a place to live, eat the food you like and enjoy your time off, right?

I’ve been an artist just about my entire adult life and still can’t understand why there are so many people around that believe we are doing what we love, just because we love it and because it is fun.  If a full time artist every tells you that, they’re lying.

Just like a teacher goes to work everyday to teach our youth, or the way a cop spends the day fighting crime, I bet you these jobs are fulfilling for many of them, but I’m not sure that many cops & teachers go to work and agree to not be paid for a couple of their work days.  Do you?

So why are people constantly asking musicians to play for free or as the people say, ‘for exposure’? Why are so many writers asked to contribute to publications for resume building? Photographers, dancers, stylists, publicists…the list goes on.   Maybe that’s cool at 18, 19, 20…as a student or just starting out, but where & when is the line drawn?  When will ARTISTS VALUE THEMSELVES so that the PEOPLE VALUE THE ARTISTS?

After college, artists have bills just like the next 9-5er.  They want to have a place to live,  support a family, have good food to eat and enjoy their time off, too.   General public: don’t gawk when you’re quoted a price for a service.  Consider all the time, sweat & money that went into being able to provide it.

More to come.