Starving Artist

IN MY OPINION:

WILLIAM REYNOLDS:

THE STARVING ARTIST:

J-Lo. Denzel,. Bono. 50 Cent. Alicia Keys. Jerry Seinfeld. Clint Black. Mikhail Baryshnikov. Jennifer Aniston. It may seem like a diverse list, but all these folks have at least one thing in common: They're performing artists. Performing artists do just what they advertise: they perform. Whether it's live or on film or video, they act, sing, play music, dance, tell jokes, or otherwise entertain us. While other artists, such as writers, sculptors, or painters, are focused on creating or producing things like short stories or paintings, performing artists channel their talents into performances that entertain, amuse, provoke, and delight. Because of the fame and fortune accorded those who succeed in Hollywood, on TV, in theater, and in concert halls, untold millions are drawn toward careers in the performing arts. Very few succeed financially (the notion of the "starving artist" is well founded). Only those with determination, talent, discipline, and luck manage to find careers in the performing arts in which they love may reach the success of those above, but many, many create and maintain a very nice lifestyle. How many times did they hear "Act, you're kidding right', your butt's too big?" or, "Well good luck, you are the 'wrong' ethnicity." I''ll bet those naysayers wish they had the back account of anyone of those guys.