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It's a little of both... To improve personally as an artist, you definately have to be modest and recognize your mistakes to fix them. But, as I was told by an older and more experienced friend, to sell your work for what its worth, you have to recognize that worth as well... What it really takes to be an artist is understanding that you can create beautiful things, but that you are also always improving...and therefore never perfect.

I try to be as modest as possible, though...mostly because I'm still too young to consider myself anywhere near the realization of my potential.

Artists must be modest enough to take criticism and work with clients and coworkers, but they must also have the ego to stick up for their work and know when what someone else wants with it isn't what will work the best. Anyone trying freelance work has to have an ego - you have to basically find or have already established your own clients, and it takes confidence for that.

I guess I'm a mix of both. I tend to be a bit modest, but I had the ego to pursue a degree in graphic design, which means I obviously have confidence in my abilities.

I dunno, I get all egotistical about my artworks right after I do them, first 2-5 days or so I loose it and go "I messed up this part" and "I don't like how this turned out"

Like everyone else, I have to agree with both. Everyone pretty much stated what needs to be said.