[hn_throwaway_99]

> Perhaps the only widespread misconception is that there's a tier of artists below the superstar level, who can earn a living at it. There isn't.

I'd put one minor twist on that, in that it depends on how "commercial" the art field is that you're getting into. For example, for anyone in a pure entertainment field (musician, actor, comedian, etc.), I'd agree. But I have some artistic friends who got into other fields like carpentry and painting who actually make a good living at it.

The carpentry example is a guy who studied traditional Japanese woodworking in Japan, and now has a pretty thriving business designing and making high-end furniture for interior design clients. Same with the painter, he's a pretty incredible portrait painter so he gets a lot of commissions from rich clients to do portraits and other interior painting for big remodel or new build projects.