The big pay-off was to work as an artist and gain some shred of respect from your friends, who were also artists. But there was never any notion that you could make a living out of art. On the rare occasions you had a gallery show, and sold a little work, well, that was just gravy.

The quote "The big pay-off was to work as an artist and gain some shred of respect from your friends, who were also artists. But there was never any notion that you could make a living out of art. On the rare occasions you had a gallery show, and sold a little work, well, that was just gravy." by Edward Ruscha, a prominent American artist, reflects his early experiences and attitudes towards the art world. Ruscha discusses how, for many artists, the true reward in their work was the respect of their peers, rather than financial gain. The idea of making a living from art was, at the time, almost an afterthought, as the primary drive was the pursuit of artistic integrity and acknowledgment from fellow creators.

In this quote, Ruscha underscores the idea that artists in his generation didn’t expect or rely on art for financial security. Rather, the pay-off or reward was the respect gained from other artists, which he describes as a form of validation. The mention of gallery shows and selling work being "just gravy" emphasizes how rare and unexpected financial success was, with the primary focus being on creating art for its own sake, not for monetary gain. This reflects the struggle many artists face when pursuing their craft in a society that doesn't always place financial value on creative work.

The idea of respect within the art community is also significant. For Ruscha, and many other artists of his time, the respect and recognition of their peers were far more important than the idea of commercial success. Art was often seen as a pursuit for personal expression rather than a career path. The concept of having a gallery show was seen as a major achievement, but it wasn’t something that was expected to bring financial reward. The art world, especially in the early stages of an artist’s career, was not as commercially driven as it is today.

Ultimately, Ruscha's quote reflects a time when art was seen more as a calling or passion, and the idea of making a living through it was almost a secondary concern. His words shed light on the evolution of the art market and how the relationship between creative work and commercial success has shifted over time. It speaks to the resilience and dedication required of artists who create not for financial reward but for the love of their craft and the respect they earn from their peers.