@hingehead,
Never heard of her before.. I love this idea. There is a high end restaurant here that is 'pay what you will' and you can bring your own wine. It's been a raging success since it opened 20 years ago.
I too can't imagine this life but kudos to her for living it.
I tend to agree with respect to the arts. Patrons be they rich or poor have always supported artists. Why do they need the middle man. I've been told that the most successful musician in Canada is a guy by the name of Fred Eaglesmith. He has no label, sells his own music and merchandise, tours constantly, plays to full houses of fiercely loyal fans and pockets more cash than most of the better known artists.