Speaking as an artist myself, I would like to add a bit to the “Illustration vs Fine Art” discussion.
Illustration done well is a wonderful expression of art. Good illustrators are often more successful financially than are fine artists. Here is the difference as I see it. Illustrations are designed to tell a story. The story should be quickly understandable and easy to see. It should be evocative - eliciting emotions such as nostalgia, sentimentality etc…
A work of fine art should also be evocative, but the story should be a bit more hard to read. For instance, in your mind picture two famous paintings… “Nighthawks” by Edward Hopper and the Norman Rockwell painting of the boy going off to college sitting with his dad and the family dog. The Rockwell painting is beautiful and tells a quickly readable story. We love the nostalgic feelings it brings forth. The Hopper painting, on the other hand, is more mysterious and timeless. It elicits a different feeling that perhaps changes over time as we mature.
Good distinction.