Fine I'll have another go
- Following the muse does not pay the bills.
Apparently it does, many artists have been very successful following their muse, in fact that tends to be the way they get to be successful (and IMO the only way great art is made).
Or do you think all those half-assed copycats represent the true path?
- Being a starving artist
Apparently you never said this, so I don't know how to respond, seems I might be hallucinating.
I don't see any reason to say this within the context of my post, other than to claim the artist in question is struggling because of the path he has chosen.
The only other interpretation I can think of is that you are a defeatist, prepared to declare failure without even trying!
It's almost as if you think there are no other ways of making money other than becoming a shill?
1) And sometimes the muse doesn't. It is not a guarantee of success. You just countered your own argument though, as being a half-assed copycat might be someone following their muse.
2) You're right, I never said
he was a starving artist. I was making a general statement about your comment that the talentless should not dictate to the talented. People can make what they want, and if it means they have to or choose to make something that pays the bills, so be it. Following a trend, or what people like, is a good way to get eyes on a person's talent in order to then secure themselves financially to go follow their muse.