by Dan Evon

Created on: August 27, 2009

There is a fine line between selling out and becoming famous. It is such a fine line that the two have almost become synonymous. If a musician begins to make money, they are said to have lost their roots. If an painter is appreciated in his own time, then he is said to not be an artist. And if a writer does not starve and suffer, then he is not a writer at all. It is a paradox of appreciation. Money and success negate artistic worth, and this is the dirty little secret that turns our money green.

So the question becomes, is it possible to maintain artistic integrity, while at the same time make monetary gains? Those that argue that it is not possible do have good reason. People are under the notion that art comes from suffering. So when an artist is making millions of dollars, the common thread that they have with the people disappears. No one wants to listen to the rich moan about every day problems. It comes off fake and forced and for this reason they become labeled, sell outs.

If you were to argue that artistic integrity can be maintained through all levels of financial success then you might reason that an artists view is not shaken by monetary gains. A true artist will keep their ideals, their voice, their opinion, no matter what the circumstance. And you would be right. But it is a rare gift to not be swayed by money.

So are their true artists who have experienced financial success? You might look at Bob Dylan and think that his songs remained relevant to the people throughout the forty plus years of critical and economic success. Or you may think that Dylan stopped being relevant, and continues touring because he can sell his name for hundreds of dollars a ticket.

But what does it matter? The stigma in the phrase sellout is only there because of the high standards that we hold our musicians, our writers, and our painters alike. We forget about our capitalist society when we think about art. We forget that these people just like all people need, in some way to make a living. If an artist sells his soul for a buck, he still makes a buck. He may lose the passion that once made him an artist, but is he a sell out? No. Just a businessman.

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