i dont like saying this but luck is a huge factor in getting your art known by people
maybe you were lucky to draw a subject that is popular at the time
maybe you were lucky to have been seen by like minded people
etc

in determining the quality of the art itself, i think luck doesnt have that big of an impact
but in terms of how mainstream/well known your art will be,unfortunately theres luck involved

heck even getting a job required luck
whether what you offer is what they're looking for etc

traction and market are subjective and fluctuate

you cant measure art only by how well it does commercially