Professional Gambler

The art world is a funny one. I’m boothmates with a great artist at a show and we’re talking about the ins and outs of being a working artist nowadays. He comments to me that being an artist is like being a professional gambler. I laughed but he’s essentially correct. You make work in your studio, spend money to apply to shows, knowing you don’t get your money back if you don’t get and you don’t get feedback either. If you do get in you have to figure out travel and hotel and mostly hope for good weather, big crowds, and a few people to buy. Now your goal is to equally to build your name in a crowded marketplace, not the easiest of tasks. All in all, it does feel more like being a professional gambler rather than a professional artist. I laughed and went on about my day but it’s stuck with me. So to any who come across this think on his sentiment, what do you think?