My rendition of O Mio Babbino Caro in 2022 topped the iTunes Classical Charts in under 24 hours.
However, my career faced an unexpected halt when I was denied a work visa for an opera tour.
This pivotal moment led me to reinvent myself, transitioning into journalism.
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This self-questioning can not only be discouraging, but mentally harmful.
We are taught that anyone can be and make a livable wage as an artist.
Indeed, the quest to earn a livable wage as one is fraught with complexity.
Despite this, only a small fraction achieve a livable wage.
Globally, only a small percentage of musicians and artists make a livable wage from their work alone.
MixMagreportsthat only 0.4% of musicians would be potentially able to make a living solely from streaming.
Yet inherently, we are still artists.
The Rolling Stone Culture Councilis an invitation-only community for Influencers, Innovators and Creatives.Do I qualify?
Addressing the Stereotypical Idiom
Art is not confined to traditional definitions or professions.
One could argue that it permeates everyday life in myriad forms.
Artistry is not limited to those who are paid for their creative endeavors.
Youre still an artist even if you dont practice regularly or get paid for it.
George W. Bush is a portrait painter, but we know him as a politician.
That doesnt mean his lesser-known paintings arent artistic expressions for him.
Those of us with artistic minds are passionate, and we cannot help ourselves.
The answer lies in embracing the duality of stability and creativity.
