Don't think of your courses as providing all you need for your career.
I began school at the end of the World War and was influenced by getting enough to eat and by bombs having destroyed houses on the street where I lived (near Liverpool). Art seemed frivolous at the time so I chose science. I retired three years ago and have some catching up to do.
I don't have creative blocks. There is always far more to do than the time allows.
I don't have much of a problem with interruptions. I keep a detailed record of paint and materials as a work on each painting. I can restart exactly where I left off.
I have always been making art from an early age but for nearly forty years did computer programming to earn a living. I bought a house and put my wife and three children through college. Now that diversion is over so I can finally paint full time.
I make paintings, try to get others to look at them and hopefully buy them.
I think it is an inborn talent - just luck. Some people can learn languages; some can throw a ball. Most people have something. My talent is drawing and painting.
I'm inspired by nature. Other artist's work is important for developing my perception.
The income from sales now covers the expense of materials but I expect this to improve.
When I look at a scene I find certain things in that scene exciting - shapes, rhythm and colors. I exaggerate these in my painting. As I get going, I get more and more input from the developing painting. Eventually I stop looking at the scene and get all my inspiration from the painting itself.
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