As an actor, the biggest compliment you can get, in my book is for someone to believe that you're the character.
I also paint, draw and I'm into film and photography as well, and the same thing applies to all of them. You're presenting this material to the general public and hoping that they're going to 'get' what you're doing. Some don't, some do.
It's a funny relationship that makeup artists have. I always feel kind of like a dentist. People look at me and think of pain.