Those who try to discourage us

[Heidi Maiers]

I was just reading David's introduction and noted the discouraging remarks from his high school counselor about pursuing his dream as an artist. I recall a similar conversation I once had with my high school counselor who seemed to think majoring in fine art was a big waste of time. I brushed off her advice (can't even recall what it was she suggested) and pursued a degree in Fine Arts anyway. Along the way, when the subject came up of "what was your major", the reply of Fine Arts seems always to be met with the attitude that you opted for an easy pass through college, and that your parents spent a fortune for you to get a worthless degree since it wouldn't land you a "real" job. The same response I would expect if I said I majored in Basketball. or some other major league sport where only a very small percentage actually makes a living at it.

On the other hand, it may have been legitimate skepticism as it has been my minor in computer science that has provided my major source of income for these past 20 years, not art. I think we are brainwashed at a young age to think of fine art as a hobby and not as something we can actually make a living doing and structured support is severely lacking. Even as a fine arts major, there were no classes offered on the business of art, how to market or sell art - unless of course you major in business or marketing.

I am curious how many of you have met with words of discouragement while pursuing your dream of becoming a working portrait artist?

[Mary Sparrow]

Heidi, the reason I am "self-taught", is because I was told no. I wanted to grow up and be a painter. I wanted to go to art school.
I was told that was ridiculous. So I thought that maybe if I changed that a bit and told them I wanted to be a teacher (an art teacher) that would work. NO, my mother had been a teacher and talked me out of that. I was expected to go to UNC. So, that is what I did and majored in journalism. Did I ever do anything with that major? No. I went to work for a newspaper and within 3 months the art director had seen a sketch I did on my desk, he asked how fast I could learn to use a computer because they were short handed in the art department. That was the end of my journalism career. Next thing I knew I was the graphic artist and illustrator for an arts and entertainment magazine.

So, I ended up doing what I wanted to do anyway, but always wonder where I would be had I gotten the proper training. I will NOT do that to my children.

[ReNae Stueve]

I think many of us were subjected to an older paradigm about artists, and the possibility of making a living at it.

If you research through the bio-s of most of our best loved old masters, you will find that they had benefactors and wealthy supporters...... One who worked as an artist would have needed to be born into wealth or have connection to royalty or live out the starving artist fantasy.

Our consumer based economy provides many opportunities for young people to enter the art world through advertising in one way or another. Although our well meaning but old fashioned nay-sayers are behind the times, most portrait painters can tell you....it's still one in a millions (or 1/2) art students who makes a living autonomously, through Free Lance painting.

[Elizabeth Schott]

Ah Heidi, even to this day - from people I most admire.

Interesting topic!

[Heidi Maiers]

Interesting that I saw this article on the MSN headlines this morning:

Quote from story entitled: What is your degree worth?

"Career satisfaction is key. If you like what you spend your day doing, you are more likely to succeed at your job. This could lead to faster advancement in your career even if your starting salary is modest. Conversely, if you pursue a major and a career track solely for the money, you may be headed for trouble.

Evidence shows that today's dynamic job market offers unprecedented flexibility in jumping between career tracks, and it's common not to work in the field you studied. For example, in the computer industry, which includes some of the highest-paying occupations, about two-thirds of workers did not actually major in IT or computer-related fields.

Opportunities for midcareer changes are enhanced by the proliferation of flexible and highly focused adult education programs. Online schools and universities offer alternatives ranging from single, focused courses and short certification programs to bachelor's and postgraduate degree programs.

In a sense, those who chose a major in college simply because they loved the subject, and left career questions for later, may have made a pretty smart choice. Today's job climate not only allows for professional reinvention; in many cases, job security demands flexibility and adaptation. And with higher education no longer limited to a four-year window after high school, workers can discover their interests and strengths in the 'real world,' and gain the knowledge and skills they need accordingly."

[Terri Ficenec]

As a kid, my parents encouraged my interest in art by sending me to painting lessons, etc. ... but when it came to college, they absolutely refused to allow me to major in art (they weren't going to pay for me to become a 'starving artist'). I bought into that outlook, I guess. So I majored in Biology, and took a lot of arts electives. But after college I got married, got my MBA, and worked in business for 17 years, without ever lifting a paint brush except for 2 quick watercolors to put something on the walls back when we bought our first house.

In 2001, a new neighbor in town heard that I was an 'artist' (from a mutual friend, referring to those two watercolors and some drawings)... and on blind faith she commissioned me to do a reproduction of Cezanne's basket of apples. That led to a reproduction of Van Gogh's Irises for someone else. After that I refused to do anymore reproductions, but was back into painting as a hobby. It was those people around me who encouraged what I wanted to do and believed in me that got me started painting again -- and together with this forum, gave me the courage/confidence to turn professional last summer.

The funniest thing is that my parents, (who were the biggest obstacle to my thinking this was something I could do for a living when I was younger), couldn't be prouder and are my biggest cheerleaders now.