Legend has it that Pablo Picasso was sketching in the park when a bold woman approached him.

“It’s you — Picasso, the great artist! Oh, you must sketch my portrait! I insist.”

So Picasso agreed to sketch her. After studying her for a moment, he used a single pencil stroke to create her portrait. He handed the women his work of art.

“It’s perfect!” she gushed. “You managed to capture my essence with one stroke, in one moment. Thank you! How much do I owe you?”

“Five thousand dollars,” the artist replied.

“B-b-but, what?” the woman sputtered. “How could you want so much money for this picture? It only took you a second to draw it!”

To which Picasso responded, “Madame, it took me my entire life.”

Stole this from Drawn!. It just put my mind at ease when I started to think of how much I should charge people for color prints.

Update: 9/4/06
I told this story to a friend, in which he replied (in all his programmer glory): “he’s been paid his entire life.” At which my reply was, “oh.” So, I guess I’m where I started. One day I’ll rant more about this issue. I’m still thinking it over. That, and I want to sell some art before I seriously decide that all art should really be free.

A list of things to get you by in the Art World

Suck at Traditional Mediums

Painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, videography. Eff it. As they say, “it’s been done.” Even if you’re good at any of these disciplines, pretend you’re not, and then tell people you are.

Practice BS’ing explanations

It’s all about convincing your audience. Oh, and learn big artsy words like: composition, balance, contrast, negative space, and my all time favorite — juxtapose.

Be a Minority

Make sure you do a lot of pieces about race and gender. Non-minorities will tell you their best friend is of said minority. All conversation will consist of the non-minorities past experiences with minorities in an attempt to relate. It won’t work.

Do Drugs

And swear by it. Alcohol counts too. Any abuse of the body probably works. For instance, sleep deprivation. If you don’t do any of these things, just lie about it. Don’t really do drugs, they’re bad for you.

Be anti-large corporation

Make sure to wear clothes that don’t have visible tags, so people don’t know how hypocritical you are.

Memorize Names out of Art History Books

And then tell people that they are your heroes. Memorizing dates will only add to your credibility. Don’t worry about reading their manifestoes, or actually doing research about what the art is really about. And use big words. (see above , Practice BS’ing explanations

Start out with a Real Major

Go into school while majoring in something that’ll make your parents proud. Then change when you get to school. If you’re a hardcore artist, double major in some business major. It doesn’t really matter which one, they’re all bullshit. That, or they’ll get you a job with an actual salary.

Build Your Art Endurance

Another important aspect of being an artist is being able to sit through shit no normal person would. Performance pieces, poetry, obscure art films, experimental music, experimental anything. If you’re able to endure these things, you’ll be to be all the more snottier than people who can’t. Make sure you point this out to people. Oh, and stay awake. Every time I fall asleep, I miss the parts where there’s nudity. No joke.

Don’t Sell Out

Until you have to pay back loans.

Use Clichés

Yeah, they’re overused, and if someone brings up this point, just say that’s why you used it.

Make Art

Last, but not least. I’m not totally sure you really have to do this. Extra points if you get other people to do the work for you. In fact, remember those artists I told you to memorize? Just copy their work. And if people point out that you’re stealing their work, tell them it’s intentional.