What a touching and inspiring post, I could relate to it from the very first word. I understand very well how you feel about "sabotaging" yourself and how you need time to paint, as it is the same for me. Painting is not something you do with a set schedule. Once you get into your flow, everything else becomes non existent, even time!

It is always a compliment, when someone upvotes your post. Of course for an artist, well, for most people probably, it adds an extra layer of feeling just a little more safe from not being able to make enough to pay your bills, when the upvote is somewhat bigger. I often ask myself, what the best way to deal with this, might be... Like I said, I am grateful for any appreciation. Whenever someone leaves a decent comment, I always go to their blog, find something interesting and comment and upvote too. I try to keep up with upvotes as well.

Now, most of the holders of the big accounts I went to, to do this, don't post anything. So send a memo? I was raised to always thank people, but like you say... it seems a bit odd. And when there is only one way communication, how do you know in which way your effort was being received? Particularly as an artist, one sometimes struggles to keep ones dignity and one certainly doesn't want to appear as a brownnoser.

I don't know how it is with you, but I am very critical of my own work and often self doubt. Having someones generous support, because they believe in you and value what you create can be a major stabilizing factor. I wish for you, that you get the support you so well deserve because of genuine interest and real appreciation. You have it from me, although the number isn't really significant. In the meantime, maybe you could go here to at least get some whaleshares.