Fame
You can ask anyone on the street to name their favorite artists, and there is a good chance that they'll spout off a list. Their list may include Rembrandt, Picasso, da Vinci, Monet, Warhol, Dali, and Klee. You'll notice two things: They probably won't name any contemporary painters, and you probably won't be on their list.
The problem is that many people don't appreciate the contemporary art world. Ask someone if they know of Barry McGee and they might start reciting Joplin's "Me and Bobby McGee." The point is that non-artsy people aren't that hip on contemporary artists like David Hockney or Luc Tuymans. So, if you want to become an artist, be prepared to only be recognized long after your death.