I would say that if you want to invest in nice, expensive art supplies then start selling your work at a local craft fair. That way you can buy more stuff when it runs out and your countless painting will have new homes instead of cluttering your house or being thrown out.
You're good and ready to work as a professional.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.