Commerce and creativity

The link between commerce and creativity has always puzzled me.

Is it possible to be an artist, musician or be in a profession involving artistic creativity in its various forms, without any dilution by vested commercial interests. Is it possible to be an artist without having to worry about if the work will fetch enough money to pay bills or make the ends meet! I know this question sounds hackneyed, but yes, I have always been puzzled about the society's preference (when it comes to paying salaries) tilting towards non-artistic professions like lawyers, engineers etc over musicians, sculptors etc. It can be argued that a brilliant work of engineering or a brilliant argument or defense put forth by a lawyer is a piece of art.

But my point is, whether in the absence of commercial interests, will society pay an artist at par with a lawyer or an engineer. For example there seems to be a sudden surge in interest towards various forms of painting by masses as paintings are suddenly being considered as sound investment options. Suddenly painters seem to be making a lot of money via auctions of their paintings. Had paintings not been seen as investment options, do you think paintings will evoke similar interest from all kinds of people, even from those who can't differentiate between Renaissance art and modern art?

Any answers ....