Big Options

[Zonark]

Let me just start off by saying that I've been an artist as long as I can remember, but I began "giving up" on art during a bout of depression which I've pulled myself out of. Now that I'm back on my feet, I want to get back into art. I'm just not sure which avenue I should pursue with it.

I'm 18 and am debating whether to head off to college. I have another option. I am currently involved with building a self sustainable community (sort of like a commune, but its purpose is mostly a prototype for self sustainable living and a shelter from possible disaster, not any sort of communist ideal. I'll probably have time to work with my art while living on site full time, but I'm unsure whether I'm squandering some good resources available at an art college.

Going to college would be a full time commitment. I would probably have very little time to devote to the other project, it's certainly the more 'selfish' approach. Also, if I took this avenue I would probably seek to become an art therapist as I have a natural talent for evoking psychological healing. Aside from that, I'm wondering whether the price of art college is even worth what I'm getting. Perhaps I could get some experiential advice from people who have gone to an art college?

My third plan is to get an apartment with a fellow friend who is interested in personal development (I think his username is Harmonium). This would be the most uncertain situation. Sometimes my friend and I don't get along very well, but we always challenge each other to keep growing. Thing here is my financial situation would most likely be uncertain and I may not have the optimal environment to improve my art.

So these are what seems to be my best options. I'd like to hear some different perspectives on these options as I've really only been looking at these through my own limited lenses.

Many thanks, Atma Namaste

[pjhaggerty]

Let me ask you for some more information so we can make a more informed recommendation. What do you want? All the paths you have laid before us lead somewhere. However, we cannot make a recommendation on which path to take until we know where you want to go. With a picture of where you want to go, we can give you better advice. Let us know what you want.

Specifically, you say you 'want to get back into art'. What does that mean? I mean, if you want to do that, the easiest way is to go grab a piece of paper and a pencil and draw a picture. You are then back into art. Goal achieved. Now if we had a goal like 'I want to make a piece of art and have it displayed in a gallery show' that might provide us with some more information.

Also, you say you want to be an art therapist, possibly. I am not familiar with the field, but it seems pretty limited. I mean, most colleges don't seem to be offering bachelors in art therapy. If you want to do that, you will probably be best served to seek out some kind of apprenticeship with an established art therapist or art therapy company.

[Zonark]

There are many things I want to do. And I have been drawing actively lately, I just want the best way to continue this. I need more focus in my day to day life by having a clear goal set for the future, you know? I could go in a million different directions with my art right now. Having so many options is almost a hindrance. It's hard for me to pick one of these options just by asking what I want. I want to be able to live comfortably on my own and get the most out of my art that I can. I also want to help other people with my art. I want to get the best training for this as well, but I also want to be independent. I want to change the world, but I also want to change myself first. The art itself is not as important as what I'm trying to express. I've given this plenty of thought, it's what has occupied my mind above all else, but I can't seem to reach a clear focus of what I want out of this.

[CJAnyasor]

That's quite a problem you have there (as if you didn't already know). I'm 18 as well and I attend college, but I have an up-and-coming personal development blog that I work on so I can understand how you feel in terms of what you can handle. College is a full-time commitment and I won't be able to work as efficiently on the blog as I am now during the summer.

First, let's look at the worst possible situation. You and your friend could get an apartment, but you would also need to work 9-5 in order to pay rent. You would have little time for your art and the drawings you would do would basically be practice.

Here's the decent scenario: you attend college, but you would not have time to maintain your community, therefore you would have to let it go, but you would still be getting the training for art therefore making you a better artist.

If I were you I would go with the decent scenario, but you should give more information on your financial stability. Are your parents willing to pay for college?

I really would like to help you make a decision. Reply soon!

[Zonark]

My parents are willing to pay for some college. They expect me to pay off most of the debt, though. I do have 3 other siblings.

As for the 9 to 5 thing, my friend potentially has a job as an amateur site builder. He's getting about 15$/hour. He offered to use my art in the sites so I could get paid too. We both are going to begin nursing blogs once this idea is solid (or if it becomes solid). Worst case scenario that doesn't work out and we have to work 9 to 5. This idea is more of a gamble on our tenacity. What bugs me is I'm not getting any highly accomplished artists teaching me directly, which could be really helpful.

With the community, I get to live there for free and I would basically work as a farmhand. Since the leader of this project is building a Buddhist monastery there, I just might have a chance to work with some visiting monk artists in the future, though that is a bit of a stretch.

[ssandra]

Maybe you can go the the art-college and ask to talk to some of the seniors, to see what they got out of the experience.

Sometimes they have a list of old students who are willing to talk about this as well.

You can see if you can even walk with a class for 1 day to get a better view of what it will be like.

This will give you a better idea if it will give you an extra benefit or not going.

If you write down your three senarios, which one makes you smile?

[CJAnyasor]

I agree with ssandra. You should get to know the calibur of the school and its artists. Do you know of any great artists who have come from that school? If you realize that the school is worth your time, I think it's better to go to the art college over gambling on an aparment with your friend.

If the school turns out to be nothing special, go ahead and try for the apartment. If you have skills your art will pay for itself.

Use this advice, and come back if you have any more questions or if you just want to update us on your progress.

[Harmonium]

I guess I'm biased but IMO the college is the gamble. I think you'd benefit from be because, 1. I've taught myself so many things, I don't think you need a teacher or to be an apprentice. I think that actually hurts you, puts a box around you. Why be a student to someone else and take on a part of them? Why not create your own style? You need theory and technique, you don't need to be an apprentice to learn those. I believe the principles of learning things are universal.

With college you say you'd have to pay back your parents. I cringe when I think of that, why put yourself in debt just so you can be trained when you don't even really need to be? If you really want to learn you won't need to have things beaten into your head.

The apartment is much, much, less of a gamble. Things are much more certain and predictable. I think college isn't what you are thinking it is, I love art, music and all that... I'd encourage the hell out of you. I believe I have lots of wisdom concerning art. In college people are looking to be taught art... How the hell do you teach art? You can learn technique and theory from books, etc. Then you become equipped to express yourself through that medium. Then you do so.

If there is one thing I know how to do, that's how to learn something.

Like I said before I'm getting an apartment with or without you. Zonark also didn't mention the rent would be split three ways. A decent 2-3 bedroom place here goes for about $775-800/month. The third person is going to be making around $14/hour. I mean, the more you do the math, the simpler and clearer things get.

imo I don't see the value in art college at all, you put yourself in debt + you put yourself inside the system and inside an "art box". Why would you choose that over living with a fellow artist?

Basically I see your best options are the Eco community, or getting an apartment with me.

I can't decide for you, nor do I want to, but I know I'd enjoy living with your company.


End post

[Leondegrance]

Not sure how much you can learn from going to art college. They'll show you color, light, layout and perspective techniques, stuff like that.. but they won't teach you how to draw better, paint better, sculpt better, be more creative, etc.. that's all you.

..correct me if I'm wrong here, people.

Anyway, I'm more interested in this self-sustainable living you talk about
Obviously I'd remove the leader and his monestary, because government and religion spell disaster.. always have, always will. Is it similar to an amish community, or will there be solar, wind, and other natural sources of elecrtical power? Also, are there both outdoor and indoor gardens for all seasons? How about animals? I'd love to buy a farm someday, and get myself off the grid.. hence my curiosity

[Zonark]

Originally Posted by Leondegrance

Not sure how much you can learn from going to art college. They'll show you color, light, layout and perspective techniques, stuff like that.. but they won't teach you how to draw better, paint better, sculpt better, be more creative, etc.. that's all you.

..correct me if I'm wrong here, people.

Anyway, I'm more interested in this self-sustainable living you talk about
Obviously I'd remove the leader and his monestary, because government and religion spell disaster.. always have, always will. Is it similar to an amish community, or will there be solar, wind, and other natural sources of elecrtical power? Also, are there both outdoor and indoor gardens for all seasons? How about animals? I'd love to buy a farm someday, and get myself off the grid.. hence my curiosity

Glad someone showed an interest in that. I was thinking along the same lines of removing that guys leadership BUT he's a buddhist, which has to be the most tolerant, philosophical mainstream religion I know of. Buddhists don't even believe in an omnipotent, all knowing God. So his monastery can stay, it would probably do the area a world of good. It's a mix of both amish and natural electrical power. We aren't trying to go completely technologically advanced, but we do want to get as much power from renewable sources as we can. We're in the process of building greenhouses and setting up a hydroponics system for year round farming. It's a really wonderful idea and I'd hate to abandon it. But I'm sure it will be just fine without me

Also, I looked at this post on deviantart about art college. It really changed the way I looked at it. I guess I could get alot out of it.

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