depends on your definition of stable/unstable, and also your definition of artist
i've never wanted to live in penthouses or attend the theatre. i do community art with people with mental health issues (i am one) and i love that. to me that's my "art scene." i don't fit in at wine tastings and gallery showings and all that stuff. am i unstable? depends on your definition of unstable. i think i'm pretty stable. i like my life.
i've dated people who were also artists and had non-corporate jobs to supplement their art income (which is my situation also, although my primary earning job is creative in a sense, just not my preferred medium)...i know very few people who make enough money at whatever their art(s) is(are) to totally support themselves. but i don't think there's anything wrong with not having a certain amount of money in your bank account, as long as you're okay with your life. i've never wanted to be a part of the corporate scene.