Obedience to the word of God. I can be an artist without disobeying God. I don't see that I can be a portrait artist and be obedient in God's Commandments. Not my will; but His be done. That is the path.
How sad. You really believe God doesn't want you to use your gift, a gift he gave you.
Also if you take Ex 20:4, and De 4:16 to mean you can't make ANY image of a man or woman, than you have to include photos as well, and tv and film. They are all made by us and they are all images. I find it odd that you say you likes the Ten Commandments but you wouldn't like a painting or statue of Moses.
I wonder how ALL the other Proddies take your interpretation of Scripture?