Rents in this economy are rising faster than wages. In a profession where you can, (up to the point where you've priced yourself out of range of your customers) give yourself a raise, that's what they have to do. Those who own their home or studio can afford to hold their rates, at least for a while, but when the landlord raises the rent, you have to pay or get out.
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"We can plainly understand woman was made after man, and she's been after man ever since" - Blind Alfred Reed