What's Top Priority

Yesterday, I read some comments in response to my post The Dreaded Elements  about my resume and artist statement.  In one of the comments, Chewy made a valid point that I should decide if I want to be an Illustrator, Graphic Designer or Fine Artist.  I said that I wanted to be a Fine Artist.  Maybe that was the incorrect answer because my dreams gave me a beating last night.  Besides seeing body builders everywhere, fractals roamed and roamed in my head.  (Sidenote: I volunteered at the NPC North Carolina State Body Building Championship. Images are still in my head.) But I digress. 

Before I embarked on my journey as a fractal artist, I had one goal in mind--become a textile and surface designer.  It's been a goal of mine since I was in undergrad.  At some point, I thought of even transferring schools so that I could enroll in a textile science and design program. But I stayed where I was and received a BA in Mass Communications. Nothing wrong with this, but I still have an urge.  Seeing my designs on products and textiles is still apart of my vision.  It's not going away.  I thought I had to become a fine artist in order to get licensing.  Is this the case? I'm looking at all options.  Just wanting to stay happy and keep on the right track.