Why did you choose to be an artist?
For me it was less of a choice, but more like an "inner drive" that "once discovered" couldn't be stopped... ...I'm not exactly sure how it started in my case, but I think it was playing lincoln logs, building blocks, drawing with chalk on a "blackboard" (after getting in trouble for drawing with crayons on the wall). Then I got a blob of "Play Dough" modeling clay... ...I could keep myself occupied for hours with that....but it wasn't until I watched my mother painting a small Autumn scene with water colors on a scrap of poster board that I was hooked... ...(oddly, I never saw my mother paint anything else in her life before or after that, not sure why)... ...My older sister had learned enough "drawing" skills in an art class to teach me how to break-up images into basic shapes that were easy to replicate, then refine the shapes into the same things by adding details... ....After that I couldn't stop, I guess I could have gotten discouraged many times looking at the work of more accomplished artists, but considering I wasn't "born knowing how to draw anything" I figured it was like anything else... .. we "learn from observation, trial and error, and practice"... ...none of us ever "stop learning" anything... ...I'm 57 now, I had a long career as a "technical Illustrator" and at age 40 decided to go back to college and learn computer graphics... ...I rediscovered my love for sculpture and learned 3D modeling and animation.... ...today I'm using "Blender" (it's free from Blender.org), to create 3D illustrations and animated shorts.... ....When I was a teen I remember wishing I had an unlimited supply of art materials... ...Now I have a whole Art Supply store in a box called a personal computer... ...imagine that!!
What are some career options after studying fine arts?
Pursuing a career in the arts can be incredibly spiritually & emotional rewarding, but requires a lot of initiative and career planning.Unlike structured paths such as law, medicine, engineering, technology, you can define your own path (isn’t that what all artists do after all?). The sky is the limit!Some artists have day jobs in related fields in commercial arts, print or digital design, or entertainment (i.e. animation, gaming); some artists have unrelated day jobs or part-time jobs, and choose to practice art on the side. Some artists chose to strike it on their own, and be entrepreneurs.These lifestyle and career choices depend on: a) why you want to practice art? b) how important it is to make a living out of art?In a field like law, medicine, engineering, and technology, you can be an average worker, and still be able to make a living pursuing those fields. In the arts, depending on what type of art job, you need to be at the top of your game to make a living doing art. At Pixar or Disney, you have to be better than 99% of the applicants they get, because the talent bar is set very high. To be able to do this requires a huge time investment.At the end of the day, I still believe people who have a passion for the arts should try to set aside time to make it work (side hustle, part time, or full time gig). You never know how far you can go until you try.If it doesn’t work, you can choose a plan B fall back plan. You’ve challenged yourself to the best of your abilities, and you lived your life without any regrets.
Why do college students choose impractical majors?
I know that this is like beating a dead horse, but passion does matter. Also, it depends on a person's upbringing and values. Some people are taught that practicality is of the utmost importance and should override silly passions or "fantasies" because they simply aren't realistic and will threaten their chance at a prosperous life; on the other hand, others are taught to value happiness and the pursuit of said happiness because life is simply too short to just survive. This has a profound effect on a person's choices, especially one as important as a college degree. That being said, given the current economic state, people need to pursue their passions wisely. The girl in the article could have possibly avoided the situation by making the compromise of choosing a different, cheaper school. For something as broad as religious and women studies, finding a program with a smaller price tag shouldn't be that difficult (especially when compared to $50,000 a year). Oh, and for those who have said that these subjects could easily be read about, that may be true to some degree; however, an education on the subject helps to focus and draw conclusions about what you've learned, not to mention it gives you easier access to and knowledge of valid sources on the subject. There is a lot to be said for independent research and that is largely what graduate school is for, but an education can guide you through the process and make sure that your information is valid and your conclusions sound.
Why do you have to study art appreciation?
Do you mean because you can appreciate it for itself without having the backstory or just why is it on the syllabus at art school? I think it depends upon whether you have your artists eyes yet. Some people need context in order to appreciate a piece or give it a second chance by knowing more about why it was made. I personally want to make my own relationship with artworks without the history because I want to stay in my senses and not have my mind on the job - if I get really enthused I can always look it up on the net.I also want to give my attention to the pieces that I love in the particular - moment if I am in a gallery rather than choosing with my head what is good for me to see. Some pieces that I have heard the history of have overexposed me to the experience rather than enhanced it although some of the stories I have loved for themselves as an art form but have killed it for me for the subject. I prefer to look innocently.