Need advice about career and degree

[Jeff Fuchs]

Many an artist speaks fondly of his days selling sketches on the street, modeling for extra cash, and sleeping on a mattress on the floor. As a very young man, you have advantages that the rest of us don't. I'm not a candidate for living on a boat or sharing an apartment with six people, but you are.

In other words, find any means, by hook or crook, to go to one of those academies. Every sacrifice you make will be a great story you'll tell when you're my age. Trust me on this, I've been working a civil service job for 20 years, and I often regret not doing whatever it took to stay in art. Marriage brought responsibilities, which meant getting a "real job" and postponing a dream.

Find a way!

[Chris Saper]

Matthew,

For what it's worth, here is my (with inflation) three cents worth. You've already got two years under your belt, stay where you are and get the university bachelor's degree. I believe you will never regret it, and that you may well regret abandoning it.

While you are in college, take other opportunities to do workshop study with artists who can really teach you - there are a lot of them out there. Once you get your bachelor's degree, there will be no fewer art opportunities open to you than there are now, including atelier study.

I have many times thought, "What if... what if I had a really great art background? What if I had attended an atelier? What if I hadn't had to support myself as a single woman for almost 20 years by being a hospital exec and not painting during that time? Would I be a better painter? Heaven only knows. My teacher Bill Whitaker said, " Doesn't matter. Art is a lifetime profession." I am grateful to him every day for that thought.

Your Bachelor's degree is a credential than will never,ever close doors to you. It can only open them.

[Matthew Severson]

Thank you all for your advice. I'm actually surprised that so many of the fine artists on this site do not have bachelors degrees, and its seems that most of you regret it. This is definitely enough incentive for me to stay in college!

Michelle, I have so many career options that is hard to put my finger on one of them. Since my school is hounding me for not making the decision "NOW!" I've been a little overwhelmed, and desperate to find the ideal career. I decided to go for a degree in illustration instead of drawing, because most drawing programs focus on creativity instead of accuracy. With my degree I would like to become either a medical illustrator or a teacher (preferably at a University)

Thanks
M Severson

[Joan Breckwoldt]

Hi Matthew,
I don't feel like I can give you advice but I just wanted to wish you luck with your decision.

Personally, I have learned 95% of what I know about art by taking classes from local instructors, from workshops, reading books, and mainly just practicing. I do have a degree (in petroluem engineering) but obviously that hasn't been any bit of help in the art world. Do I wish I had a degree in fine arts? I don't think it would help me where I am now, I took some classes at the University of Texas in art before I switched to petroleum engineering and they were all geared towards the abstract. This was back in the 1980's. But I am glad to have some kind of degree.

When I have a big decision to make, I pray about it and listen for the answer.
Joan

[Carol Norton]

Originally Posted by Chris Saper

Matthew,

For what it's worth, here is my (with inflation) three cents worth. You've already got two years under your belt, stay where you are and get the university bachelor's degree. I believe you will never regret it, and that you may well regret abandoning it.

While you are in college, take other opportunities to do workshop study with artists who can really teach you - there are a lot of them out there. Once you get your bachelor's degree, there will be no fewer art opportunities open to you than there are now, including atelier study.

__________________________________________________ ___
Matthew, be smart and FINISH YOUR DEGREE! Two more years can go by quickly with a very worthwhile reward at the end - something no one can take away from you. Many careers don't care what your major was, only that you had the tenacity and intelligence to complete your degree. ALSO, Chris Saper didn't mention that she teaches a 5 day course at Scottsdale Artists' School called "For Love or Money: Portraiture." In that class she offers her students many practical methods of achieving beautiful portraits (lighting, color, getting a likeness, etc.) all interwoven with sound advice relating to the business of portraiture. It is one of the best courses that I have ever taken and taken and taken.... You could not enroll in a more valuable course. This year's workshop dates are Dec. 10-14. Save your money, birthday presents and latte $ and you'll soon find that you can afford this gem. I must warn you, her workshops fill quickly. To hold a spot in the 5 day classes, the school requires only a deposit until the month before the workshop starts, so that would give you time to earn the rest.