I enjoy creating.  I'm not sure if what I do would be considered illustrating, designing or artmaking, but I can say that it takes influence from all 3.  I also consider myself pretty good at it.  Or at least, I better be, 'cause those college loans sure as hell aren't paying themselves.

  Beyond just aesthetics, though, I like the thought-process behind making art.  I don't look at illustration or design as just craft-based.  Taking a concept, some aspect of society, maybe even somebody else's work, and tweaking it, commenting on it, perverting it, preserving it, that to me is what takes visual art beyond just pretty pictures and makes something impactful.