God knows it wasn't the promise of respect, notoriety or wealth. So what was it?

Was there a choice?

there's always the choice of doing something you don't really want to do but which offers financial security.

but i know what you mean, it's not like you're looking through a career fair brochure one day and go "hmm, 'artist' looks like a good career choice...". in my case at least, i've grown up with the knowledge that i was going to be an artist. i've taken a few odd jobs over the last 5 or 6 years, and all i can think about while i'm working is getting back the the studio. it makes doing any other kind of work unbearable. i'm sure there's a lot more to it than just that, but that's the reason i'm not doing anything else.

i became a artist at first because i thought i would get instanly famous and rich, but then i realised that was not how it worked,art changed me as did rocknroll it, i would say music and art are brother and sister,but they they need to be free
the ability of creating my vision so other people could see it, touch it experience it, has been a journy of selfdiscovery. its more of a question of what is an artist?
a true artist is someone who has surpassed technque and skill and trancended them into a visual language, and uses his brain, questions authority, and thinks for himself.
i belive music and art can change the world. and my own art work whether it be stone carving, oil painting or experimental music is a summery of myself in terms of my asthetic, philosphilical judgment.

Hmm, because to "make a thing", seemed like a wonderful ability. I've been making things since I was a kid.

Here is a link that might be useful: http://dreamvigil.com/