Same here. I've been working on it a couple of years, and I'm sure I'll be working on it for years to come.
I can tell that you have the drive, curiosity and the desire, though. I think that's the biggest part of it.
Everything else is just learning and not putting your foot through the monitor the umpteenth time your code doesn't work. :)
What does that even mean? It's called programming! Making software! Stuff!
"Hack" is a verb that badly needs a direct object behind it, usually with the word "together" in between, and even then it's still cringe-inducing, because usually its usage takes some form of "look at what words I use." The word "hack" is practically a form of profanity.
Coming from an art background though, you probably have a significant advantage when it comes to creative expression.