I only play in the shower, but ...
once in a while i will do some finger picking just to get a different feel, which i really like. :-laf
Howdy Mike! (or is it"Sue"?)
Pleased to see this topic appear here, but have a bit of an "Oh ***t!" feeling about the likelyhood of being sucked into spending too much time here.
Per your invite, got a buncha thoughts for you. Just pick through, don't get overwhelmed.
Background: Been "playing with" guitar for many years,... very careful not to claim to "play it",... seen too many people who really CAN. Still, when looking back at how difficult it seemed at first, ... today I sometimes amaze myself.
This brings up the first point,... spend TIME with it. And note that only PERFECT practice makes perfect. Practicing poorly will make you very good at playing poorly. Of course "perfect" is a lofty goal,... most of us settle for some
lesser level,... but be "trying"(mostly) when you play, ... not just goofin'. Your progress will be much more rapid,. . and the self-satisfaction will be proportional. (Besides, you gotta keep that callosity up to snuff. )
A second point is - "trying to do what"?
After some experimentation and focused listening,... you will find it more productive to choose a "style"(as in technique) direction, and put most of your effort in it. Becoming a relative "master" of one trade will make it much easier to expand into a "Jack-of-all" afterwards, than if you scatter-gun your practice in the beginning.
"Style" (technique) choices include flat-picking, finger-picking, finger-picking-with thumb-and/or-finger picks, ... with fingernails(ala "classical"), with no nails, "anchored"-hand, "free"-hand, etc.
You will find expert players using all of these styles, (or combination)... and any type of music can be played with any of them, though some techniques will definitely better-suit some music. ( Classical pieces can not be effectively rendered with a flatpick, ... and some of the extreme speed runs and piercing "twang" flatpickers produce will not be heard from fingerstylists. I am older than I used to think I would ever be, so the mellower sound of real-finger picking appeals to me more than electrified "screaming". But I DO still appreciate "Lucille''s voice in B. B's hands)
Your choice of style and music will direct you to point 3, ... equipment. Everything is a compromise, as usual. Compared with a flatpicker, a "blues" player, using a slide, has one-or-more fewer left-hand fingers to form chords, or to play, hammer-on/pull-off, left-hand notes. His strings will need to be higher, so that the slide will not contact the frets. This makes the chording fingers work harder to push the strings down. A fingerstylist may also wish to have a slightly higher action, and slightly wider neck, to facilitate right hand "grip" between the strings, and if playing acoustically-only, for greater dynamic range(as in volume).
In this regard, I suggest that you put your right ear against the side of your (acoustic) guitar, and play something, while listening to the sound you are producing,... then compare it to the ordinary sound.
This approximates(poorly) the sound your guitar will make when amplified, ... and you may be suprised at the lighter touch possible, which makes a distinct difference in how your style develops.
[A personal note: I play "free"-hand, all 10 fingers, no picks, and only accidental nails(kept short). I now usually play amplified(often through a headphone amp), and feel handicapped when playing acoustically, in that the dynamics are so reduced that expression is relatively limited. Playing "harder", i. e. heavier strings (medium vs. light), and attempting to make sufficient volume to be heard clearly, is a different game from playing with any finesse and delicacy (for me at least, the difference is pronounced). I played un-amplified for years, using both "cheap" and high-quality guitars( Martin D-45, Lowden, etc. . ), and often medium weight strings. So my fingers and strength were up to the task, but I now amplify all my guitars, at least optionally(with "portable" pick-ups or mics), and suggest you try both ways, before commiting too strongly to equipment. A small plug-into-the-guitar pocket-size headphone amp is a simple, convenient way to enjoy practicing expressive (rather than just loud) playing, without driving other nearby people nuts. These amps are relatively inexpensive (<$100) and some have a few effects (chorus/ reverb, for example).
You may also find (I have) with increasing ability, that having a "cutaway" will seem a necessity, as you begin to explore areas of the fretboard that you ignore at first, while you are still happy to hear yourself playing 3-chord tunes near the nut.
Another note about amplification - it makes possible a much broader tonal range from a single guitar, so that everything from the aforementioned "twang" to the mellow muted softness of a "comping" jazz guitar can be closely approximated, ... and of course, "effects" such as chorus, reverb, are fun to add at times.
The "action" (string adjustments, neck, etc. ,) of the guitar should vary with playing technique, also, ... so after a time, when you have chosen a stylistic direction, seek some advice or do some learning, and see that your set-up is suited to your style.
Just a sampling of the sorts of things that a serious player considers, ... but not all need concern a beginning player.
Seems you are set to have a good go at this guitar stuff. I'm sure your Larrivee is a nice guitar, and the inter-net is full of guitar info sites, song-sites (lyrics, notes, chords), and a wealth of discussion-forums.
Used book stores are a good place to find inexpensive popular music books and sheet music to practice with,... and of course, recordings of your favorite player/singers(You do have a better voice than me, I hope ?
Also of importance is the fact that playing "unsupported" asks very different things from a guitarist than strumming an accompianment to a voice. ["Unsupported" as in playing melody(lead), harmony, embellishments, etc. , to creat a full-music experience all-by-yourself. In other words "Solo Guitar". ]
Do not confuse a "pretty" guitar with a pretty sound. Dollars spent on abalone and fancy inlays guarantee nothing about what the instrument will produce. And neither do "choice" woods . The odds are increased in your favor, of course, with the traditionally superior woods, but each guitar is an individual, just like a truck, and "lemons" and "gems" exist at all levels.
Close your eyes and open your ears, and you may have some different opinions about how pretty a given guitar is.
Keep this in mind when visiting pawn/second-hand shops, or garage sales. I have found treasures there, and have been disappointed at times with super-hyped "best" new instruments.
People have opinions based upon their individual experience, and I am no different. As to brands, there are many good names today,... but I will offer Taylor as being right in there with the best when bang-for-the-buck is the goal, as to sound, playability, etc. (This is a general statement,... the "individual guitar" comments definitely ALWAYS apply

You may, when you are my age, find yourself to have collected several guitars over the years. Most of the time I find myself picking up my Taylor 6 or 12 string, or an old-favorite Lowden 6 string. Having a "stable" adds a little variety, but is not at all necessary. You can only play one at a time, and mastering that one is more of a challenge than most of us ever meet. My several Martins are all history, but I recently tried a "Mini Martin" (Terz guitar) that absolutely astounded me. A beautifull big-guitar tone and amazing projection, from a girl-friend sized guitar. Not inexpensive, but unbelievable. Just might have to get her one!
If asked to select a single guitar for myself or a new player, I would suggest a grand auditorium or small-jumbo (jumbo shrimp?) model (smaller than a "dreadnaught", but generally better balanced sound, and more comfortable to hold) acoustic cutaway with a pick-up, in the $2000-3000 price range(new, actual selling price). [Be aware that soundhole pick-ups (ala Sunrise) can get in the way of a dynamic fingerpicker. ]
Then I would say something similar to what Christopher Parkening relates having been told by Segovia... "You must practice very hard, Christopher!" (Of course Segovia meant "insanely hard" by ordinary standards!
As to "used" values, there are Blue Books for guitars, and many pawn shop operators have one in the back room. These can be a definite asset when trying to determine how good a "deal" you may find in a shop or backyard.
About style: Listening-to and "copying" the style of any one player tends to lead you towards copycat-dom. This can be rewarding and fun, as there are some darn good cats out there to copy. But if you are interested in playing YOUR way, rather than "like Merle travis" or someone, don't be afraid to explore some different paths to new sounds, after you get a grip on some basics. [I am an extreme induividualist, so this has been my approach. It is quite possible no one would WANT to, but I can say that no one else plays the way I do. I find some satisfaction in this "accomplishment". ]
As to players, I guarantee that there are many "greats" around that you have never heard-of. I would bet that of my top 10 favorites you wouldn't recognize 5 names. Take whatever opportunities you can to hear some of them live, ... check local venues for appearances, and see/experience different styles (technique AND music).
You will go home unsure as to whether you should practice more, or just smash your guitar. I feel this conflict every time! (Went to hear the "Acoustic Guitar Summit" a few weeks ago, ... yep,... EVERY time!)
Whew!
Probably more than you wanted to read.
This'll teach you to ask for tips.
Good luck!