No.
Don't forsake your children.
Don't abuse your significant other(s).
Don't physically or verbally or emotionally hurt people.
Don't commit consent violations.
Don't be rude to your gallery owners, patrons or potential benefactors.
Learn how to say, thank you, and always offer a cup of coffee to anyone who takes the time to visit your studio to see your art.
And be patient with people who talk about art with you who may ask what you perceive to be stupid, silly, or - worse yet - patronizing questions? They do not know any better, and that is why they are asking, and their asking means they are interested. Appreciate their interest, if not their questions.
These aren't platitudes I offer so that you will go far in the art world. It is just good to be kind to people. I don't know why those who are artists believe that there is an either/or situation: be a great artist or be a human being. You can be both, and it won't hurt your art.
Painting can be part of your soul, but as a person you need to be whole.
So endeth the sermon.
