Thanks for your feedback + thoughts. (As well as to the OP & everyone else who makes HN great) It's the unique questions & introspective input - so native to this site - that make it worth participating in this community.
From your talk with the artist, it sounds he's essentially content with working on a portfolio as great & grand as he can to the end.
I think that's what we're all working on, albeit in our own way, whether it's through building a portfolio of Coding Languages to implement, or gathering a palette of experience to fuel our creativity. We all want those lightning-thoughts & Eureka Moments & to keep learning around the clock.
The "risk and resilience" elements may strike one's interest initially because they're at once, the most readily accessible to the imagination.
Without knowing any details or story-moments, the volatility element is obvious, and does sustain that thread of: 'What's next?"
However, imo, the most stellar instances so far have come from interactions with people along the way. (From mutually reaching out)
Talk to people - at random. If you wish to say something or participate, go for it. Be frank. Don't even think twice - just speak. That's what I'm really working on these days. It seems a default that we're all so guarded or shy or just don't want to enter 'uncharted territory of exchange'. But I sense there's worlds (multiverses;) of character in individuals that remain unexplored because we get stuck in the default for a lifetime.
On tough days, no matter what I'm going through, it helps me to remember: (1) To supersede my drama-rama (hence meditation) & (2) Be extra-open and curious about what I'm seeing take place around me - all happening newly and changing & miraculous all the time.
And when it comes to the grind, code or writing, get your kicks line X line ;)