In your own words, you are voicing what many of your fellow Steemians have to say on this subject. Which equates to a bottom line of something like, "I've worked hard on my post and deserve a greater reward for my efforts ..."

As with any of us, the route to obtaining support for your work is through engagement with others. Full stop. Period. There are many communities on our Steem blockchain. It would be in your best interest to find one or more which appeal to you and join in their efforts to build up the effort of others collectively.

For what it is worth, this is not personal @whizart, as I do not know you. I bear you no ill will. And you do some nice work on your portraits. I would think you would be successful in finding others who value your skills, if you are willing to invest the time and effort.