To create something is one of the most fulfilling things that we can do with ourselves during our time here on Earth.  One of the great failings of our time is that people feel they have to be “professional” at something or why bother.  That is a tragic loss for humanity, given that the arts are really there for each and every one of us. Personally, the closest I ever came to losing my art was when I was a big success in galleries and in the art world—I think I let myself take orders from what the market demanded rather than what my heart dictated. But I escaped from all that, and now do whatever I want to do. (leave out the part about feeling isolated and dying in obscurity)