If you think success will make you happy, you have it backwards.
A copying artist should get permission or pay the original artist a fee.
If you want to follow your dreams, you have to say no to all the alternatives.
Art is ultimately schizophrenic.
Marketing of art is, and to my mind has always been, trendy. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean there is any real long-term value. As an artist I do what I like. As a collector I collect what I like.
The Impressionists had to fight the gallery system for many years before becoming accepted. One of their methods of fighting was to band together and hold their own shows.