First off, I know making a journal about art is a suicide note and things like this will be discussed to the end of time without being resolved but I understand that my opinion is not infallible so please make it quick when you burn me to death for getting something wrong.

If your touchy about this subject I'd advise you not to read further.

Artists are like everyone else they've just chosen art as their profession/hobby. Most or everyone can learn. You do not have to be good at art to become a good artist. As you do not need to know construction to train to be a construction worker. As the book "Drawing on the right side of the Brain" (Highly recommend it) says this much better than I but you get the gist. I know there are some who do not respect art at all think it's just play. Though I do believe it's important to expand your mind it helps you with patients and hand eye coordination. (Well most of it some show you other things) Art can also make people think and see in different ways. I also do not believe it's any better than farming or how else you wish to be productive. I want a world with both. Art allows you to get away with your opinions and feelings or sometimes not your own opinions or feelings but those you find interesting. It does not make them right. Put the art on a pedestal not the artist.
I respect artists who put time and effort in their work but it's not always easy to tell sometimes you get the right effect right away and other times you don't. I have had times when a doodle was better than a painstaking three day piece.
Practice helps. I enjoy sketching the most. Doing something challenging will make art in future easier.