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Originally Posted by Alexandra Tyng
Ed, I don't understand. Why would your age and experience disqualify you from being a serious student? Anyone, of any age, can be a serious student. There are also many artists who went to art school, had careers in computer graphics or illustration or other art related fields, then decided to become fine artists later in life. These are highly skilled and experienced individuals who are still open to learning. Or maybe I have misunderstood you.
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Regarding "Anyone, of any age, can be a serious student."
I think the formost purpose of this group is to teach, discuss and exchange ideas about the art of painting portraits. It is a forum open to "profssional artists" and "serious students." Regarding "students," the purpose of this group is to prepare the student to sell and/or exhibit his portraits and if he is of that mind, to teach others.
There comes a time when the "serious student" [or amateur] becomes a "professional." As in other professions, professionalism happens when that person earns his living from selling his work.
Galleries and Agents are essencial to a portrait artist's success. They will invest their time and money only when there is a more than a promise to profit from their "front end" investments.
Because I am a seventy-six years old "unknown," and regardless how "professional" my portraits appear, the fact remains, profitwise, an agent's "window of opportunity" is more shut than open.
Bottom Line for "Anyone, of any age, can be a serious student." It is in the context of this conclusion that I question my "qualification" I do not intend to be a "Professional Student."
I also hold no illusions as I recognize that I am, for my age and anonymity, not a promising property. Nonetheless, I will continue to paint portraits because that is what I love to do. I will also continue, if permitted, to visit this forum as a "visitor" though I know a participating "membership" will accelerate my "professionalism."
Still, you may be right and I may be wrong. As a student my "window of opportunity" is wide open, but as an agent/gallery represented "professional" that "window" is, for the most part, closed.
Ed