Always good to read your thoughts. I had things to say, but realized that I've written about it already on my site. So, I'll just add that knowing my purpose for painting has been the key to perseverance and growth -

not talent (I'm average),
not knowledge (I'm not well-read),
not material surplus

Purpose has been the light that revealed the path. Staying on that path means pushing past branches, stepping through streams, and sometimes waiting, but the end will be so much better than a good painting.