I think it's funny that you should happen to compare an artist's life to an accountant's. My mom, sister and one of my best friends are all accountants. I feel like I live on the other side of the spectrum sometimes. I went to school to become an actuary until I decided it wasn't for me. My mom always thought that it was odd that I was talented in art and math since it means I use both sides of the brain so well (most people tend to use more of one side I believe). They all went to school to become accountants, and all had eager companies looking to recruit them when they graduated.
Art is not as stable a career. I think that's why I had originally gone down the actuarial path - it's rated as the #2 best job to have, in fact. But I realized I wouldn't be happy. So here I am, working a retail job while I try to build a career as an artist. I can identify with the term 'starving artist' as I try to support my family. But I have become a self-promoter, where I used to be shy about my work. I take my paintings to work to show to everyone, and in fact have my boss's wife convinced to have one done of their sons. I just grinned when one of my co-workers asked what I was doing working there if I could paint like that.
I have no doubt that I will someday be able to stay home with my family and paint. It may not be the most stable or lucrative job for me, but it's what feeds my soul.