If he's not gay, then her choice could be explained by the crowds she grew up in (very eccentric and effete) plus the fact that our culture has generally become anti-masculine.
If he is gay, then her mindset is a bit harder to ascertain. I've known three or four women who married seemingly gay men. All of these women were feminists through and through, either the career-climber type (who'd want a gay handbag to bring along to corporate functions and who would never bother her for sex or children) or the yoga-granola type (who think that all heterosexual sex is rape). This woman doesn't sound like either of those types though. Maybe "NYC artist" is another species of feminist that sees no value in partnership with a hetero man.
If he is gay, then her mindset is a bit harder to ascertain. I've known three or four women who married seemingly gay men. All of these women were feminists through and through, either the career-climber type (who'd want a gay handbag to bring along to corporate functions and who would never bother her for sex or children) or the yoga-granola type (who think that all heterosexual sex is rape). This woman doesn't sound like either of those types though. Maybe "NYC artist" is another species of feminist that sees no value in partnership with a hetero man.