Of course, it is as well gratifying to get positive feedback: people who tell you how they appreciate this or that painting, even care to buy one! That clearly contributes to your self confidence and self esteem.
Well, that was the easy part. The basis may be creative, intuitive, chaotic, and difficult to explain, but from there on a whole range of questions start popping up. First of all, philosophical questions, for instance about concepts, like ‘What is art?’. About psychological issues: Why does a person appreciate this painting but not that one? Is it all very individualistic? Or are there general patterns, rules? Or more personally, why did I develop this style? About social-political themes: Does art have a role in society? Do artists have a contribution to development or poverty reduction? And, given the ongoing debate in The Netherlands about the government’s plans to cut cultural budgets, why should governments invest in art in the first place?
These are questions that can be considered to be part of ‘art philosophy’ or ‘art theory’.
There is a long route to go. Questions may be more important than the answers. Or, some questions are likely to have different answers.