Hi Joey,
I can sympathize with your aspirations to "be a learner" and "be around good Christian influences," and "be a creator." While teaching Art History, I've romanced the idea of going back to school for a PhD in Art History - just for the sake of being able to put myself in an environment supportive of that deep human aspiration to "know more." So I hope and pray that YOU will be able to find opportunity to keep learning and growing. :D As you're on that journey, I'm glad that you'll still be weaving into your work Christian allegory. I personally delight in beautiful things that are nuanced and complex that don't have to be a direct "illustration of a Bible Story." (I mean, LOTR, right???) ;)