Thanks for the detailed answer. It’s a tough situation to be in — and not easy problems to solve. I don’t have anything helpful to say but I hope you all get more funding, and that you are paid what you’re worth!

May I ask why you choose to work in this field? I mean that respectfully, sorry if the question sounds rude — it just seems like the pay and conditions are terrible. Especially when at the end you say many leave the field. What do you get out of it that makes you stay?

I wanted to be an artist, and came from a poor family that was also abusive.

Because of financial reasons (and a desperation to move out of abusive home) I pivoted into doing design in tech because that’s where the money was and I could still do something related to art.

I think what makes people feel like artists must have rich parents is specifically that same kind of hardcore self sacrificing mentality that you mention — the idea that it is noble to be in poverty in service of something “greater”.

I think generally — if you grew up poor you know there is no romance in it, it’s just hard. To think that there is romance is what makes them sound naive and inexperienced. The people I know in my circles that have taken risks for art have had some kind of support system they can fall back on if they fail. The people who don’t sacrificed their dreams for a more stable career.

Anyway, good on you for bringing it up. Forget those people that shit on you for literally needing money to survive. Artists deserve to be paid and there is no shame in talking about that.

PS: I just saw your work on your profile. Amazing stuff.