I'm Having a Breakdown - Sage, Advice Please

[Kimber Scott]

Tom, I hope to be able to attend some really good workshops. I'm lucky to live close to Scottsdale Artists School. Once I graduate, I plan to go there.

In the meantime, I'm not sure if I've sprung a spring on my first day of spring break. I was so unhappy with the painting that prompted me to start this post in the first place I decided I should use it as a laboratory. I've been wanting so much to try Scott Bartner's painting technique in which he uses different whites for his underpainting - here. Being as my painting was already painted - I had to modify the process it a bit. I went over everything with orange ochre and put in the darks with Gamblin's asphaltum. Now, I have an orange painting. Not knowing what I'm doing, I hope I'm not headed for disaster! But, how can it be worse? Doing this will cut into my "production," though. Remember, my teacher says, "More paintings. More paintings!" I doubt painting the same one twice will count. Oh well... I'll slap something on a canvas for her. Learning how to paint is for me.

The reason I tell this story, is I was on the phone with my mother today when the conversation came around to my painting. I told her I was trying something on it I'd read about on the Internet. She says, "Why do you have to get all this stuff off the Internet? How come your teacher doesn't show you any of these things?"

What can I say? Thank goodness for the Internet and SOG!

Anyway, if the painting shows any signs of promise, I will post my progress and ask for help in the WIP.

[John Reidy]

Kimber, First of all I congratulate you on striving for your goal. Nothing can be obtained until we set our goals.

Your tenacity is your salvation, don't give up and, as a student, pester your teachers until you understand what they can teach you. As teachers it is their reersponsibility to teach you and it is your responsibility to let them know when you don't understand.

I use the term teachers loosely. I agree wholeheartedly with Tom's views on a university's track record regarding useful information in the arts. I, too, was in a position to hire graphic artists and it was their work history and their book that were the primary points. I do, however, look upon a degree in any field as a big accomplishment and shows an ability to follow through.

I am compelled to add one more thought for you. You have demonstrated your work ethics and they are at the top of the chart. This is one of the most important factors an artist needs to succeed. The second most important factor in my opinion, is tenacity. No one ever achieves anything by giving up. Craftmanship is next and that is learnable. Then comes talent and luck which we control minimumly.

So you see, you already have at least the 3 most important ingrediates. This puts you on a level playing field with all successful people.

Hang in there, Kimber and keep us posted. We are all here rooting for you.

[Kimber Scott]

Thanks, John. That's a good shot of confidence to start the day! Now, I'm going to paint.