No one cares about what the artist makes more than the artist that made it. Therefore, some narcissism is required just to make art. Then it’s required for survival in the creative world. Without it, the artist would never have the guts to put themselves out there for the world to notice (or ignore).

http://hyperallergic.com/87229/want-to-be-an-artist-try-a-little-narcissism/