It's unfortunate that your experience with unappreciative clients made you turn away from being a painter. I think you are skilled and creative, and can have opportunities as an independent artist. If I was shopping for a lion tee, I would buy yours, it's beautiful.
Artists throughout time, from Da Vinci to the animators who created the Lion King were mistreated and undervalued by those who paid them. I believe we now have tools and methods to be financially independent and to create for ourselves.
Whatever creative, or non-creative, path you will find fulfillment in. It looks like you're going to do great!
I honestly love this kind of comments, you don't even know how thankful I am for your words. Thank you, thank you so much!
This literally made me stop for a moment because you're right. Although this was not the only discouraging experience, what I truly meant is that maybe I don't see my future self as a traditional painter who sells their paintings to a gallery and has to face merciless art critics. I don't think I would be ever prepared for that because one of the critics I usually receive about my work is that "I am basically a printer". I am good at copying things, making duplicates of an image. And deep down I know they are right.
That's why I decided to make a personal research about which art path could give any value to that ability of mine. Maybe it's digital art, or 3D modelling, or artworks restoration... Or just a humble artisan who copy things.
Of course I wouldn't completely discard traditional painting, because the process of it gives me so much joy. But right now I'm not sure about anything anymore hehe
Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts with me @nidalo , I really appreciate it!