Beth,
You're trying to do two things at once: Develop skills, and make a living at it. You're just reaching a point in your art that you are making saleable stuff. You can't expect the money to roll in until you can show a serious body of work. If you keep painting like you have lately, it will happen.
Lynn's idea about teaching classes is a good one. I know an artist who would literally starve if he didn't. Which brings me to another point. This guy does work that I'd be embarrased to show. Despite this, he asks $1500 for a charcoal drawing. They just don't sell. He has stacks of art... large stacks, in his home. If he dropped his prices, they might sell (might!). But he says "I've been an artist for 20 years, and my prices reflect my level of professionalism". Okay, so starve, but there are times when you REALLY could use $50, but you insist on putting a $1500 price tag on your work. I've been to shows where his work was the worst in the place, but the most expensive by far.
What I'm trying to say is, sell the stuff cheap if it gets the wheels greased. I have another friend, an SOG artist, who donates a small portrait to charity auctions. Usually, the winning bidder wants a larger portrait, and pays the difference. Then friends see the portrait and want one for themselves. I'm not sure he still does that, since he's well established now.
I'm glad I'm doing it the way I am. I'm working on skills now, while still employed. You've got an uphill battle. You mentioned not being able to work and paint at the same time. As a graphic artist, couldn't you do limited freelance work? When I was a graphic designer, I had tons of time on my hands. That's why I had to go to work for the state
