Art or Illustration?

Here is a painting I did of my profile picture in 2002. I adore Vincent van Gogh, of course, he is my idol. As a small child when I used to go to the Art Institute Of Chicago, his paintings drew me like a magnet. That is why I did my self portrait in a style influenced by him. Now I love all Art, in all forms, but he was my kindred spirit.

When I paint, Gouache is my choice of paints. I have done oils, have done watercolors, and some Acrylic, but Gouache sends me.

My older sister Kathleen is a Master Artist extraordinaire ! A true Master, graduated from The Art Institute of Chicago, Wright College, and studied in Europe. She is even in "Who's Who". I was the dancer, and musician, she the painter.

I have never, ever, taken any Art classes in painting, drawing, only music and ballet. I have always loved to paint, but I had to do it my way only. My poor sister would look at my works and scream, "All that Black", "Why do you have to outline, and use all that black"? lol lol :) Now my second passion is studying ancient wall arts, and frescos. As a child I also adored the ancient hieroglyphics, and such, so therefore the black lines. Some people say that my work is more Illustrative, than High Art, but none the less, I have been always obsessed with painting my form of Art on everything I do. Note my pottery, I just cannot seem to dip it in glaze and be happy. When I apprenticed learning pottery, it was cone 10-13 reduction. I made all the glazes, loaded the kilns for firing, etc...but I still had this desire to paint on the pottery, and yes add the black lines....lol lol lol...:) So I went to oxidized firing cone 6, and it's perfect for me! So what classification do I fall into? Illustrator or Painter? I just call it "My Way"! and my color palettes make the pros cringe. I like bold, punch you in the face, outlandish color palettes. I never choose pastels unless the customer wants them, otherwise, it's bold, harsh, gaudy! No matter who tells me to stop doing it, I never listen to anyone, even the highest ranking pros...lol lol :) I did go to one workshop one time through the college, the teacher kept ripping up my paper and throwing it on the floor. He screamed, "No more black lines".....I just kept doing it.....last Art class I ever attended...lol :)