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How long does it typically take sucessful artists to establish themselves?

I don't mean freaks of nature who are supposed to be the latest great thing at 21. For normal artists, how long is it supposed to take? I feel like I've been struggling for a long time, well in my 20's I showed my paintings in cafes while getting sidetracked by other things because I thought I should have a more normal career, then in the last eight years I moved to a community where there are more opportunities for artists and really focused on my painting more. I've become somewhat of a fixture in local arts festivals and show regularly in certain places, like a gift store- yeah big deal. I've only had a few solo exhibitions and zero exhibitions in publicly funded galleries, in fact I'm ready to give up on them. At 38 I always thought I would have a more established career and maybe be making a living at it by now. I do have profits but it's just peanuts really. I'm wondering if it's realistic to think things could get a lot better.

Public Comments

1. Do you have a link to website that shows your work? What do you consider a "normal artist"? Most high artists have their masters in fine arts. By attending undergrad and grad school they not only learn and experiment, they also make connections in the art world. It's not as simple as showing a few people your paintings that you do in your spare time. However, I don't what the case is for you.
2. It takes about 10 years and about 500 paintings. Also it depends how much time you put into it and who you study under.