Many artists have been asking that question lately with the economic downturn and there has been much weeping and wailing in the art world- more than a few galleries have gone down, never to return and many artists are running scared these days.
Yet, art is still selling and artists are still painting. I think the luxury question depends on the person making the purchase. If an individual buys the painting or object of art for investment purposes, then right now art is a luxury, a commodity so to speak. But if an individual buys a piece of art that speaks to their soul, it is a necessity.... it is something that satisfies an inner desire that has to be fulfilled.
Our job as artists is to create a piece of work from the heart and pray that it will connect with someone else along it's journey through shows, galleries, stores, etc... Artists will keep on creating, they have to because it is part of who they are. Hopefully through these difficult times they will survive as the world will lose much if they cease to create.
