Reasons Why Artists are Stalked by Unscrupulous Vultures (2024)

Jun 29·edited Jun 30Liked by Lidija P Nagulov

I know exactly how you feel. It's hard too...being taken advantage of. I have been taken for a ride so many times that some things business wise are really just not as interesting to me anymore. I simply continue to do some because I know that in the long run they could help me to pay the bills. Some situations in life teach you or help you to harden your heart. Not to everyone but to alot in order to protect yourself. I don't know if I'm wording that correctly. I grew up in the theatre though and didn't have an interest in the visual arts until in my 20's... Due to a health situation, I was told to try painting and my life seemed to change it's course. I interviewed people, had my own magazine, etc. but all for free because that is what I learned growing up. I was told that money was evil. Sadly, I knew nothing at all about making money from art due to that. My parents got me into art but never seemed to want me to make a living from it. Due to my health, etc. that went right over my head. I've had loads of exhibitions over the years, etc. and you'd think I were rich but like you said we artist's are easily taken advantage of. I was lucky if three people showed up to many of my exhibitions because although I knew LOADS of people in the arts, that fact did not invite them to those exhibitions. If they weren't invited, they wouldn't know and if they didn't know, they couldn't support my dreams as I supported theirs for years. Nobody invited others due to being proud of me, etc. and again my parents always told me that money was evil. The fact is though, money pays the bills and with medical bills as well, I have alot of bills to pay! Due to that adding on those health issues and well...all my stores had to be taken down, I can't even add a credit card here on Substack and have changed my credit card at least three times due to fraudulent charges! Contacting some people is fine, where as contacting others is almost IMPOSSIBLE! It's almost as if someone nolonger wants me to have the freedom to choose. When in reality I have always had less of an option to choose. I just push on anyway, like Bob Fosse, Frida Kahlo etc. Personally, I know that I can but I also know that I can think of not trying anylonger. I can think that every artist will screw me over but where exactly will that get me? I've spent my life in the arts...mostly in the visual arts now. How can I give that up? It's has become a part of who I am as a person.. I've had people who I grew up with since 15yrs in the arts take advantage of me and that REALLY hurts but I know they are not the only people in the arts. I won't give them that power.... I hope that you know those who have taken advantage of you are NOT the only people in the arts. There ARE still good ones...somewhere. You can't find them if you choose to give up and not look. The one thing that will always be mine is my art. Your art will ALWAYS, ALWAYS be yours and that's one thing that NOBODY can ever take away from you. The business side of it will happen and I've got to believe that because I won't allow anyone who has taken advantage to take that from me. I hope that you believe that too. Some people have taken enough. Anyway, great post... I hope that you don't let the haters stop you from following your dreams. Many of those REALLY RICH people in the arts were poor or middle class in the past. If they could do it, why can't we?