Things I wish someone had told me about being an artist...

1.  Don't compare your work to others.  Compare your new work to the old.
2.  You don't have to go to art school, but doing so can get you further, faster.
3.  Someone, somewhere will love what you do (and pay for it).  Find them.
4.  Really good work takes a really long time to make.  Be patient with yourself.
5.  Create every single day.  Even if it's all garbage, you can't improve on a blank canvas.

via creativesomething.net