Very well said, PPQ! I've been quilting for four years and finished a Sylvia's Bridal Sampler last year. It was a real learning process for me and I was disappointed by some of the points and seams that didn't match until I realized that the overall wowiness (yes, I just made up that word) of the quilt made up for any non-perfection.
I too have an art background but didn't pursue it in college. The most common question about my quilts I get is how I knew to put together the colors and where I got the pattern. I don't think twice about colors and I generally design my own patterns. I need to appreciate that about myself.
Go forward and quilt!