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Those who try to discourage us
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?
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