The true artist is a man who believes absolutely in himself, because he is absolutely himself, takes no notice whatever of the public, a beautiful work of art is made to please himself.
The moment that an artist takes notice of what other people want, and tries to supply the demand, he ceases to be an artist, and becomes a dull or an amusing craftsman, an honest or a dishonest tradesman. Becoming too conscious of the public, appealing directly to the sympathies of the public, or by directly mocking at them spoils the work
linked mentions for "true artist and amusing craftsman":
this is why artists are modest “This is why artists are modest. They know they’re not doing the work; they’re just taking dictation. It’s also why”noncreative people” hate
to create for the artistic joy Things people say of a man do not alter a man, he is what he is, public opinion is of no value whatsoever. To create not for the artistic joy, but
enacting behaviour of others subjective and relative notion … trained observer can tell whether a given action is spontaneous or compulsive what is important to one person is of