A recent New York Times poll shows that, for the most part, artists remain defiantly upbeat in the face of the recession. To be sure, times are tough, but, looking for a bright side, many artists are finding it in a renewed dedication to their art. In addition to having more time to paint what they want (as freelance work dries up), artists are pointing to a rise in art collectives and cooperatives that connect creative people with common interests and goals as a positive outcome of the economic downturn.

“I feel that artists are well equipped to deal creatively with such situations and with a bit of persistence and optimism, can turn this recession into a point of strength,” says Cadine Navarro (pictured above), an artist in New York and Amsterdam. She added that she hoped the economic pressure would weed out “market-oriented art that is being churned out by the bulk. Onward!”

How are you keeping your chin up and your head above water in this tough economy?