can't save or export AI artwork

[Lin25914642cpoj]

I have 2 new artwork that I can't save or export or anything. I'm trying to close AI, but then it asks me if I want to save first so as not to loose it, but when I click save, nothing happens. One artwork is a copy of the other (copy/paste). Please help!

[kevin stohlmeyer]

Can you send a shot of your layers panel expanded in AI so we can see the names of the layers?

[Lin25914642cpoj]

but I quit it and now restarted it. Now the artwork is not there. Now I just have the ping from export selection, like you said

[Lin25914642cpoj]

so does that mean I lost all my work?

or can I recuperate it from the png asset?

and how can I be sure this does not happen again?

[kevin stohlmeyer]

You didnt specify that you backed up your document as a PNG - which is a flattened raster graphic.

Unfortunately yes, you will have to rebuild that document.

We didn't receive a screenshot of the layers panel with the names showing as @Monika Gause requested.