Those who try to discourage us

[Julie Deane]

Interesting to see what the survey will show. Here's my contribution:

I went to art school, but limiting myself by my own insecurities, majored in graphic design instead of fine art. The good thing is that Ringling School of Art insisted on many drawing and painting classes, so I got a good foundation in the basics.

I became a graphic artist and worked in that field thirteen years. Taught a few art classes too.

To any people out there considering art school - it's great for learning a lot in a little time. Just make sure the school emphasizes drawing skills.

[Julie Deane]

Oops - didn't answer all the questions.

- did you receive support for this decision from friends, family, etc., or did you pursue it in spite of a lack of support? My parents made sure I had art classes from age 8 on. They were a "mixed" support - very little verbal support, but the finances were there to help me.

- are you making a decent living as an artist? No

- do you work a full time job in another field and do your art on the side? I am a full time speech therapist, and am pursuing portraiture/painting on the side - for now.

- do you now regret pursuing an art education rather than taking what others deemed the "safe " career path? No - I only wish I had dived into fine art.

- do you think your skills are now more advanced than they would have been had you not pursued a formal education? Yes.

- have there been any instances in your career where having a degree in art has directly benefited you (e.g., gotten you a posh commission, gotten you into a high caliber show or gallery, etc.) that you wouldn't have had the opportunity otherwise? Along those same lines, has having a degree directly helped you sell a piece of work? No - I really don't think a degree would matter for anything but teaching credentials.

- do you rely on your spouse for the majority of your financial support?
I wish! Nope, divorced and paying my own way.

[Heidi Maiers]

Feel free to verbalize your responses to the above survey here. There are now two polls available in this section entitled "The value of a formal art education" that you can answer so that we can view the answers statistically as a group percentage.
http://forum.portraitartist.com/showthread.php?t=4447
http://forum.portraitartist.com/showthread.php?t=4448

[Chuck Yokota]

While I had some interest in art when I was young, I had no interest in pursuing a formal art education or in pursuing art as a career. There were several majors I would have selected ahead of art. No one discouraged me about studying art; I just had other interests ahead of it.

I got my bachelor's degree in chemistry, and over the years I've gotten two master's degrees in other fields. I wound up working for most of my career in engineering, and worked as an engineer for 15 years before ever taking an engineering class.

For many years, the only art I did was some pencil drawings. I had not painted since painting with poster paints in high school. A friend of mine encouraged me to try painting, and in February of last year I painted my first oil painting. I found that I liked it a lot, and am now seriously interested in becoming a professional portrait painter.

I do not regret working in other fields, as I found them interesting and rewarding, and they satisfied other interests that I have had. For me, art and other fields are not an either/or, but rather a both/and situation; i.e. I want it all.

[Michele Rushworth]

Ah, a true Renaissance man!

[Jean Kelly]

Well, this brings up some very nasty memories, and maybe it's time to write them down. My story may benefit someone else in a similar situation.

I was a big fish in a small pond, won every art award available and made all my plans to attend the Art Institute of Chicago. There seemed to be no problem as far as my father was concerned. Unfortunately I was unaware that my goal in life was to become a corporate wife, and my father had trained me well. I could mix a perfect martini by the time I was 15. When the time came to solidify and submit to the Art Institute I was told NO, and I rebelled. Left home and supported myself and attended a small community college. I tried to get scholarships or loans, but was told that my father made too much money and since I was under 21 was still technically under his big umbrella. I tried to get emanicipated and again my father refused to sign any papers stating that I was self-supporting. I finally gave up on any art schooling, had to make enough money to live, but I never went back to my father. Some day I may forgive him, but not yet. When he died many years ago I gave him a private send off.

I've done many other things since then, but have never been a corporate wife. I've missed the art so badly, and now am so glad to be back to it. My current husband supports me totally and is my angel on my shoulder. When I started back painting three years ago I never thought I would come so far so fast, and I credit this forum for it all.

It's possible that my life experiences have made me a better artist, but sometimes I really wish that I had been able to find a way to incorporate formal art more into my life. When looking back I do realize that I was compelled to be creative though, and it sometimes got me in trouble (I could write a book)!

For anyone else who is in a similar situation I say, find a way to fight for what you need to do, and if you get roadblocks charge through them.

Recently I saw my stepmother and showed her my portfolio, she started crying and stated, "Your father would be so proud, and your mother too." This was the first time she ever made any reference to my mother (she died when I was 15 after a long illness). That felt really good.

Jean

[Kimberly Dow]

I didnt see an answer that fit my situation, so here is my comments:

I always drew and painted since I was a small child. I won awards in school and was in demand in my small town in NH. I always knew I'd be an artist and everyone around me was supportive of it.

I moved out at 17 for other reasons, but because of that it was easy to get student loans (not that my mother had any money - she was a waitress). I went to a close by University and they had some great instructors. I learned some basics, but was majoring in Art Education since I didnt know if I had what it took to be a fine artist. I soon saw I was one of the top students (and certainly the top at realism) - and I changed my degree to BFA. Alas - I only went for a year and a half before I got married. I was going to go back, but soon found my husband made too much money on paper to get any loans.

My mother, not a stupid woman, but lacking in formal education beyond high school was insistant I could not go to college since there was no money. She had no problem with me wanting to be an artist (she has always been in awe of my talent) - the thing she was shocked about was student loans - she never knew they existed. Onc I got them, she was extrememly proud.

Luckily I started working as a sales clerk in a gallery and they took my paintings and sold them one after the other for a few years. In those days I did still lifes only - I had never painted an interior or a portrait - it seems I only dared do fruit and flowers!

I do not know if finishing my degree would have helped me - but if I wanted to go back to school I would go to an classical realist school/atlier - not a University. I wish I had known about them back then!

[Matthew Severson]

I feel incredibly spoiled after reading some of the posts in this thread. I have chosen art as my future career since I was 8 years old, and my parents have backed me up %100 - They even beg to pay for my art supplies.

If suffering is a requirement of becoming a great artist, I don't have a chance.

M.

[Mike McCarty]

If suffering is a requirement of becoming a great artist, I don't have a chance.

Patience, there will be other opportunities for suffering. Do you presently have a girlfriend?

[Matthew Severson]

Patience, there will be other opportunities for suffering. Do you presently have a girlfriend?

Hahahahaha, no I havent. (not officially)

Are you insinuating that girlfriends promote depression?.......don't answer that.