[Leica] Depression

[pklein at 2alpha.net (Peter Klein)]

A symphony player friend of mine told me that sometimes people will come
backstage at the symphony and ask some of the musicians to play at
weddings and events for free. They then express utter shock that:

(a) The musician wants to be paid, not to mention how much.
(b) The symphony pays them a salary. "We thought you do this out of love"

Some are then apologetic that they asked, others seem insulted at the idea
that musicians should be paid.  Lest you think this is just Seattle
provincialism, my friend has lived and performed in New York City, and
encountered much the same there.

I've encountered similar issues when someone approaches me to buy a
photograph of mine that they like.  Some of them cheerfully express a
willingness to pay--as much as it costs to get a snap reprinted at
Walgreen's or Costco.

--Peter Klein
Seattle, WA

Kim wrote: 

> It seems that many schools in the United States (note I didn't say
> america!) have abandoned art education.  When I do public sales, I'm
> finding I'm having to do A LOT more education of the public about the
> process of art/craftsmanship than I ever have before and frenquently to
> people who are in their 20's.