No, this is actually a perfectly viable way to make a living. It depends on what kind of work he's doing. I've hired some professional creative technologists for shows before and they can earn decent rates. This was for a corporate clients doing retail events, but the work they did was still artistic in nature. They can also get hired by musicians, venues, museums, galleries. I know more people who do it as a side thing, but if you're talented and you hustle, it can be a full-time job.