@mikkolyytinen, thanks for sharing your perspective and experience. My own art started merely as "something to do" and a bit of a personal quiet meditation... and then grew because others made nice comments, and I made some items for gifts.

From having a small art gallery and offering 40+ artists' work for sale, I see a wide range of experiences... but for most, it is very much a struggle-- something done during spare time; those pursuing art full-time have very minimal lives and often a part-time "regular" job.