Why do artists charge "so much"?

I found this on a Facebook post, found the words to be meaningful, changed them up a bit and thought I would share:

Have you ever asked why ARTISTS (Reborn Artists, Makeup Artists, Designers, Tattooists, Painters, Actors, Singers, Dancers,Musicians or anyone who falls under the artist category) charge "SO MUCH" for their work or performances?

Consider that, we don't get paid vacation, we don't get paid sick days, we don't get bonuses for outstanding performances nor for Christmas. We don't have insurance plans. We don't have a business that we work for that pays for all the supplies needed to do our "job".

We sacrifice our family on special days trying to meet deadlines so that we can bring happiness to others.

Illness or personal affairs are not excuses for bad work or a bad performance.

Next time you ask, remember that ARTISTS are ARTISTS because we love our art and the people that we serve. The "so much" that we get does not even begin to compensate for all that is in the realm of that which we produce. I've said it before~we would all be financially well off if we just went to work for someone else. :)

Loving my art......