Encouragement for the creative

I'm excerpting this from the 2012 edition of Astonishing Swordsmen & Sorcerers of Hyperborea, because the creative can never have enough encouragement:

A while back, I emailed Barry Moser, an American artist, to pass on how much I was inspired by his work. I thought it appropriate to include his response here for all who are interested in pursuing the creative as a career:

All good wishes for a successful career. And, if I may, never underestimate the power of luck. Especially when that power is generated by the omnipresence of hard, consistent, and daily work--never in competition with others, but always in competition with your self and your last work, which, if you are working well and sincerely, will never be good enough. God help you if it ever is. Work well. -- Barry

-- Ian Baggley, May 2012