An artist must maintain a studio, buy expensive art supplies, significantly curtail other income producing activities , and usually has invested significantly in art education and ongoing art-related activities to keep up with current developments in the art world. There has always been a great deal of preliminary work before the creation of a finished piece that is good enough to sell. Experimentation is required to get new images and techniques going. Experiments also involve expensive art supplies. A great deal of driving around is often required for procuring art and framing materials.
Artists have no wholesale source for many art materials.
Most artists frame their own work because to have it done professionally is quite a bit more expensive. An artist who sells work and pays income, sales and business taxes as an artist must be involved in the business end of art, keeping records, usually employing an accountant for taxes, and is required by law to have a business license. A resale license is required. A good deal of time and many phone calls are often spent with someone trying to decide on a piece. This is work time, just as is the time spent creating a piece.