Comparing Oneself to Others

I look at other artists work and I am amazed at what they accomplish in a day's time. The quality of the work is phenomenal and it seems to come together so quickly. I know some of the artist's efforts come together because there has been a lot of learning along the way. But I think that even if I had a Ph.d in drawing I don't know that I could compete with some artists that are out there. As it is I have perhaps twenty credits of art education. I have had some on the job training, but not directly. I worked for a picture framer for awhile. I learned how to frame my work. I worked at an artist's supply store for a little while. I learned about the materials that are out there. When I was in art school I learned about perspective. My local art society taught me life drawing. Subscriptions to artist's magazines taught me a lot about the different work that is out there. I have had the good fortune to be near major cities. I have been to a lot of art museums. I would love to travel to Chicago to see the Art Institute, I haven't been there yet. I haven't been to the Metropolitan in New York City. I have been to Philadelphia and Baltimore, and I have been to other large cities to see their collections. I guess what I am getting at is that I have an education of sorts in art. But I don't know that I will ever be a Rembrandt, or a Dali, or a Matisse. I know that I won't. I just want to be good enough. And I don't know that will ever happen. There is a graphite artist whose work I admire. He turns out wonderful renderings in a days time. How does he do it? I don't know that we can ever be as good as our favorite artist's. But should we give up? I don't think so. Sometimes I think it is a balancing act: Admire other artists work but don't compare. Just be the best you can be.