I'm wondering if 12 year old in India are the "starving artists".

The Starving Artist groups are a way for artists to make a little income (not a lot). An artist is typically sent 10 canvases of the same scene, finishes each painting and returns them to the manufacturer. Typically, artists come up with a pseudonym for their paintings as they wouldn't dare use their real name. This doesn't mean the paintings are bad; some of them are nice. They are certainly priced well. Sometimes you can find a gem, too.

Nope. I went to one of the sales about a year ago, and it was pretty obvious to me why all the paintings were so cheap. They did seem to be legitimate paintings (not prints) complete with brushstrokes and all, but they are clearly mass-produced pretty hastily and without much real artistry.

According to Dr.Lori, Director of Masterpiece Technologies Inc.:"Over the years, you’ve seen the TV ads, "Buy a framed, sofa-sized oil painting for only $49.99!" Initially, you think to yourself, “Well, for only $49.99, no wonder the artists are starving.” You temporarily consider a quick trip into Center City to check out the art offerings at hotel or convention center hosting the deep discount sale. You return to your senses, yet you’re still curious. Your fantasy image of a handsome young artist standing at his easel overlooking a snowy landscape creating a masterpiece just for you is--a fantasy. Most of us don’t think that there is a connection between overseas labor and a $49.99 painting. On some level, we like the emotional image that artists are starving for the love of art! With this reality check in mind, here is all you need to know about the starving artist paintings. The $49.99 sofa sized starving artist paintings are products of outdated printing plants and Asian art sweatshops. The inexpensive offerings at starving artist sales are either cheap oleographs or paintings produced in repetitious assembly line manner." http://www.drloriv.com/lectures/starvingartists.asp http://uninformedconsumers.com