I, too, always find it interesting what people think or say when you tell them you are an artist. I do think people think it romantic and in some ways it can be, but the BIGGEST misconception is of the tortured soul trying to fight their inner demons on the verge of insanity and not getting any work done, thanks to Hollywood for that vision.
I, like you, am very scheduled. I mean if you don't work on it everyday then you won't get anything done. I have been frustrated lately as my shedule has to be so flexible with my move, but over all I am still working everyday, finding time to get it in, because again people (such as my house mates) don't really understand 'work' in that sense. But, I soldier onwards.
I am happy with the digital climate and do really believe we are in a new Artistic renaissance WITH the aid of digital. I am also always surprised by other artists reactions when you say 'digital art' I think it is viewed much as Photography once was, but that is now very much accepted as an artform and museums are filled with them.
I think to be an artist you MUST be open-minded to all new things and you must also be Disciplined, because those few lucky people who make one painting a year and sell it for half a million dollars are few and far between and I bet they worked pretty hard before they got there (or they had the money and connections to hire a good agent/pr team) Let's face it, art is at it's heart, a business as well as an expression of self and society.
Hahaha... yes, that tortured soul thing! No idea what fascinates people so much about that.. But then again, most people are fascinated by serial killers too. As long as they are not in their house I suppose.
To me, "digital" refers to a tool more than anything else. Its still the artist making the decisions. Even with glitch art, where a computer "comes up" with something, you still have to decide, if you keep something or make chages, and how to go on... I think we are just at the beginning of all this. Yes, like with photography almost 2 centuries ago.