Good job recovering from the ecency crash and thanks for taking the time to reply.
I appreciate your reiterations, and am glad you seem to understand @danielvehe 's point about selling, votes, and Hive.
art is fundamentally unrelated to the concept of "selling".
The following facts are difficult to argue with:
Art is expression. And (unless one is a hermit), expression is communication. And communication is the transmission of data/ideas. Transmissions are either accepted by the receivers ('bought' & 'sold'), or are rejected by the receivers (no buy-in, no sale.)
I can only make the concept so clear here in the comments, but if you'd like to read more on how all expression towards others becomes 'selling,' b I wrote a giant guide to communication here that received 133 comments that may benefit you if you care about art & communication: Why No One Reads What You Write: A Masterclass In Communication.
But you're welcome to hold a different perspective. :)
And it's a perspective I understand, because for years I was an 'art purist' who believed 'selling' had nothing to do with art too, so I encourage whatever view you have on the matter.
Either way, I wish you much success with your expression, communication, and the art you make (that is unrelated to income/selling.) Thanks again for writing and the interesting discussion, wishing you a great day! 🙏