Wonderful picture.
The best lesson I was given was by a good friend who quipped...' Dave, you can't paint all that well, but you tell a good story...!'
Sorry to read that you were distracted by someone who should have inspired you.
Thank you Dave. Well thank goodness we all don’t have to be the very best to still do wonderful work.
As you say, telling stories is a very legitimate part of art. Can be so powerful. You do that with great humour!