I drew cartoons in high school as just another outlet to release all the creativity that was going on in my mind. They were deadly accurate, sometimes cruelly so. Freehand -i.e. no discipline or training. It was like it wasn't me drawing, because others truly had a talent for it, or had applied themselves, if you know what I mean. Kids in your class who really had the heart in it. I considered myself more a musician and writer than an artist. I was not devoted to drawing at all.
I let it slip away for the same reasons, but throughout the years glancing at now what resembles the funny pages of my youth, often thought that the majority of newspaper syndicated artists stunk on ice, and yet they are quite celebrated. I rationalized via my own negative attitude that well, they are not as good, but they have the quality or stamina to produce anything on a dime, that's why.
Long story short, I let slip all my talents because I came to some conclusion, such as you have proclaimed, that you must now face reality and get a regular job.
I don't want to preach to you, but you will someday try to reach out to someone else, because you see your self in that person.
I understand what you mean. Especially the part about how lesser talents end up being the successful ones. I for the life of me can't figure out why any newspaper publishes Ted Rall's work. Not only is his stuff venomous and hateful, but it's also horribly drawn and painfully unfunny.
With me, I dunno. I enjoyed doing this because it was fun, and people seemed to be entertained by it. Guess it was just sort of a hobbie. Most people were kind and supportive as well...(not all). So all-in-all, it was a great experience.