I’m always on the lookout for inspirational stories involving talented individuals who are working to pursue careers as artists. This morning I came across this article in the Rockford Register Star about a young girl who is working towards her dream of becoming a cartoonist, and though I would share it with all of you.

Amanda Bowen spends her weekends studying cartoons. She estimates that she spends 6 hours a day doodling and drawing, and currently creates cartoons for her high school’s newspaper. After graduation, she plans on attending an art school to further her studies. It is hard work and dedication like Amanda’s that will get you to where you want to be. Artists can always improve and grow as long as they work for it!

You can read the full article here: Guilford senior hopes to turn drawing hobby into career.

Albert Barcilon is a retired professor who is currently spending his time painting and teaching private art lessons and workshops. He has studios in both Florida and Colorado. His work can be viewed on his website. www.albertbarcilon.com

How did you become interested in art and painting?

My father was an architect. He taught me many things about art, but most of all the importance of an honest critique.

What is your educational background?

I have a PhD in Applied Physics from Harvard, and I earned my post Doc from MIT. I taught for 37 years at Florida State University (FSU) in Meteorology. Whenever it was possible, I took workshops given by American artists and art classes at FSU.

What is an average day at work like for you?

I take every opportunity to learn about painting. I am proficient in water-media, oils, abstracts, landscape, color and composition.

What do you like most about your job?

I enjoy the opportunity to transfer my knowhow to the next generation by teaching, and the opportunity to learn and experiment with art.

What advice do you have for others who are interested in pursuing a career in this profession?

You need to learn to paint/draw with your brain, not with your hands.

You Were Born To Create

We are born as creative, daring creatures. All of us. We possess all the natural gifts that we tend to assume are the province of only a talented few.

This can be easily seen when we are young. For example, as a kid did you ever prance around the house with a broomstick pretending it was a horse, or did you ever invent little characters, soldiers, dolls, puppets? Now, these things that you created – did you speak to them and did they respond?

Have we not all gotten a kick out of placing a buttercup flower under someone’s chin and seeing the yellow glow that it creates? Have we not all marveled at the sound of the ocean in a shell placed against our ears or taken delight in touching the coldness of a dog’s nose? Is this not common – perhaps universal – to celebrate the pleasures of sight and sound and touch? And in so doing, do we not celebrate our ability to perceive the world along with the perceptions themselves?

When we finger-painted as kids, did we care if it was correct or good or finished? Did we not run around with abandon at times in our “dress-up” clothes, playing tag or climbing a tree, while our mothers chased not far behind, feverishly trying to round us up, tuck our clothes back in and drag us back to the special family dinner that had begun twenty minutes earlier? Was there not a time, for all of us, when we easily relinquish to the process of exploration, wonder, and sensuality? We did so fully and completely, so often and regularly that it seemed absolutely ordinary.

Did we not risk jeopardizing our little sources of praise the day we played hooky or ignored the school bell or swam over our heads in the pond? When we were growing, were there not countless times when we chose to risk being identified as “bad” because the desire to know the part of ourselves that could not find expression was overwhelming? Were we not dedicating ourselves to that self within that had to be?

Were not all those chance encounters with friends, the afternoons after school, the Saturday mornings when we just ran out of the house, dashing out into the snow storm, carving a pumpkin or bar of soap – the endless random events ñ were they not all just a series of prompts, starting points, places of departure from which we grew? Or when we drew faces in the street with chalk or drew red lines around the house, what were we thinking? That we had as much a right to transform and beautify reality as anyone else?

All these thoughts and actions were quite real, were they not? They very much marked who we were. They also happen to be the singular hallmarks of a creative spirit. They describe the unfettered artist that we all began as. These traits seem so unremarkable because they were and are so natural. So why or how do we get away from the gift we all have, the ability to create who we are through expression?

Let me suggest an answer. We fail to imagine the world in terms other than those handed to us. We begin as innocent and by the 3rd grade when we competed for the gold stars we became performers and have not stopped hoop jumping since. We bought into the bell-shaped curve and the notion that making art is about some rare set of skills that only a few possess; and so we go through life obsessed with getting ahead, measuring up, proving that we are capable. Let it go. Stop performing. Go back to innocence. Find yourself. Do what gives you pleasure and let the paintings happen along the way.

Online Education in Visual Arts

Online education programs offer convenience and flexibility to the students who need it. An online degree is an excellent option, especially for adult students, who simply cannot drop their entire lives to attend a college or university full-time. For students with families and full-time jobs, studying from home can be the ideal way to pursue a degree.

Online degree programs are offered in all subjects. Most recent to the scene, however, are online visual art and digital design degree programs. Online art degree programs are an excellent way for busy students to pursue an art education in anything from video game design to fashion merchandising.

Online art programs do not revolve around set class times. They do, however, hold students to deadlines and may require some on-campus time. Students in most online art programs will access course information, submit work, and get feedback through an online discussion area similar to a message board. Students can communicate with professors and classmates through email and via direct communication.

Art education can help aspiring artists and designers improved their technique and can teach them the business skills they need to market their talents. It is recommended that anyone seeking to becoming an artist pursues some type of formal training. The flexibility of online art degree programs is ideal for artists because they can take courses and create artwork at the same time.

It is important that any prospective student considering obtaining a degree online do the proper research in order to make an informed decision. An online school’s accreditation status, reputation, and cost are all elements to consider when making your choice.

Find Online Art and Design Degree Programs NOW!

Jeff Comeau is the Art Director and Principle of IntuitDesign. He feels that he was “born to do art” and has since gained 22 years of experience in the field of graphic design.

Jeff attended the Portland School of Art in Portland, Maine. It was here that he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Graphic Design. He also attended the Evelyn Walberg Painting Studio where he studied oil painting.

What type of training best prepared you for your work as a Graphic Designer?

My college education, the seminars and conferences I attend, and the real world experience I get on a day to day basis.

What do you like most about your job?

I get to be creative and learn new things every day.

What advice do you have for others who are interested in pursuing a career in this profession?

If you want to be a designer, I would suggest enrolling in an art school and obtaining an art degree. I would also suggest learning about web design aesthetics. It is very important to know about aesthetics before you jump right into programming.

See Also:

• How to Become a Graphic Designer
• How to Become an Art Director

Creativity Beyond the Canvas

Artists create not just a thing of value; we create the thing of value.  And yet, most of us will live on the margins and accept our assigned roles within a profession that is sometimes referred to as a profession that is “starving.”  Part of the problem is that we are so concentrated on our work that we rarely use our creativity to reinvent the little boxes in which we work.

One exception were the “intransigent” artists of Paris at the end of the 19^th century. When they pioneered independent exhibitions in 1874 in the face of marshal law, artists in hiding and in exile, they sought and found an institutional change that achieved a degree of freedom that few artists have enjoyed before or since. The larger contribution of the Impressionists was not their “new painting” or an aesthetic, but a new understanding of what it meant to be an artist: people who see their world in terms other than those set out for them. It behooves us to take a page from their book.

For example, most of us have had experience exhibiting art with art consultants in “downtown” corporate buildings. This situation typically goes like this: the art consultant, who contracts with property managers, finds artists who wish to exhibit. We surrender our work, for free, for a month or so and if we happen to sell, we get 60 percent and the art consultant takes 40 percent. Sound good?

When I was searching for new exhibition sites for a San Francisco exhibition group, I investigated the lobby exhibition situation a little further. I was astonished to find that art consultants were getting four to seven thousand dollars per month simply to organize the exhibition. So I decided to take a different approach.

First, I put together a portfolio of our group’s work and thus was able to offer a broader, better range of artists to property managers. We got two contracts.

We immediately gave half of our proceeds to participating artists so that artists were paid to exhibit.  This came out to about $1,500 per month per artist. And if any work were sold, the artist was given 100 percent. The other half of the proceeds was given over to the group, which was sufficient to pay for many of our expenses (we had over 50 outdoor exhibitions in San Francisco), which then brought outdoor exhibition fees to zero. Thus, with regard to our outdoor shows, artists paid zip and also received 100 percent of sales proceeds.

The hitch in this, if you want to call it that, was that as a group we had to do the work of the consultant, hang the show and create and distribute publicity. But this too was a win-win activity: we learned how to present ourselves to property managers and city officials. We developed graphic art skills and mailing lists that we could then use for our own private exhibitions. We leaned how to hang a show and present 3 dimensional work. None of this was difficult or required a lot of time.

The point is that our creativity can extend beyond the canvas; we need not live on the margin. We need not play the role of hapless genius. We can be artists and citizens, creative both in rendering our feelings and in working with others in our communities. We can transform our situation and make it easier to become the artists we already are.

Find information to help you start your Art Career.

Scholarships can help you pay for your art school education. A scholarship is essentially a gift of free money awarded to you in recognition of an ability, talent, or quality that the scholarship sponsor deemed worthy of reward. Scholarships are awarded by various schools, national organizations, private organizations, alumni and other sponsors.

Art scholarships are often awarded by schools to students who demonstrate strong academic achievement, such as a high GPA, and artistic talent in a particular medium or type of art. Scholarships can also be won through art competitions. Applications for scholarships will vary, and may require anything from a compelling essay to an art or film portfolio. You should spend some time researching scholarships and apply for every one for which you qualify.

Scholarships to Consider

StraightForward Media — Offers four $500 scholarships a year to art students. Visit their website for scholarship applications and deadlines.

Scholastic — Offers various scholarship awards for high school students who demonstrate outstanding skills in art and writing.

The International Furnishings and Design Association Education Foundation — Offers student scholarships for advancement in fields relating to the interior furnishings industry.

Academy of Motion Pictures Student Academy Awards — $2000 to $5000 awarded each year to 3-12 undergraduate or graduate students majoring in filmmaking/video.

Academy of Television Arts and Sciences College Television Awards — $500 to $2000 awarded each year to 25 undergraduate or graduate students majoring in Arts, Performing Arts and other areas.

Alpha Delta Kappa Foundation — $1000 to $5000 awarded each year to up to 6 undergraduate and graduate students majoring in arts or music.

Beinecke Scholarship for Graduate Study — $2000 to $30000 awarded to 18-22 undergraduate and graduate students through nomination only and majoring in arts and other areas.

Donna Reed Performing Arts Scholarship — $200 to $1000 awarded each year to up to 6 undergraduate students majoring in performing arts.

John F. and Anna Lee Stacey Scholarship — $1000 to $4000 awarded each year to 3-5 undergraduate and graduate students majoring in arts.

General Scholarships for Higher Education

Fastweb.com — The most comprehensive Web site for local, national and college-specific scholarships. Get a personalized list of scholarships you’re qualified for from their database of 1.3 million awards. Use this excellent resource to get free money for your education.

$cholarship $cams — Sound advice from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission on how to avoid being cheated while trying to fund your education

Education Grant — Brings you the latest financial aid news and resources, including the information and deadlines for federal and state education grants, scholarships, and student loans.

You time in art school is valuable, and often expensive, so finding a school that will best prepare you to reach your career goals is of utmost importance. However, choosing the right art school can be a difficult process, especially when there are so many different options for you to consider.

In my next few posts, I want to highlight some important questions to ask yourself as you begin your search for the perfect art school program. First thing to consider….

What type of school will be the best choice for your career goals?

Colleges and Universities- Many Colleges and Universities offer art degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The benefit to going to a college or university is that you will have the opportunity to take courses outside of the art department, such as business or science. This way you can get a well rounded education at the same time you work towards your artistic goals. The quality of art programs will vary greatly between schools, so it is important to make sure you are attending a school with a respectable art program.

Four Year Art Schools- Post secondary art schools also offer art degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. They are, however, very competitive and selective in their admissions process. By going to this type of art school you will have the advantage of learning from the top professionals in the art industry, having access to the best resources, and having the widest range of art course options.

Technical and Vocational Schools- Technical and vocational schools offer associate’s degrees in art and other related majors.  Specialized career specific training is an advantage to attending this type of art school.

Community Colleges- Community colleges offer associate’s degrees in art and other related majors, and are often the most inexpensive way to attain an education. The art courses offered through community colleges are usually basic, foundation level courses.

Workshops- If you are not ready to commit to enrolling in an art degree program, another option would be to take some courses at a local art school or workshop. Workshops are often taught by local professionals and can give you some hands on experience in a particular art medium.  The Art Association of Harrisburg, for example, offers courses to individuals who are interested in exploring different art mediums and techniques. Workshops will not, however, allow you to earn credits towards a college degree.

Online Colleges and Universities- Online art schools, colleges and universities are an excellent option for students who are unable to attend campus programs. Although online learning can be difficult for certain art disciplines such as painting or sculpture, programs in animation, website design, video game design, and digital media are geared towards online learners.

How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice. This may be a joke, but it couldn’t be farther from the truth. For a career in music, one must train and practice extensively, usually starting from a young age and continuing as long as the musician shall play.

Full-time work for a musician can be difficult to secure. Many professional musicians supplement their incomes with part-time jobs. For those artists willing to work nights and weekends, there is work with performing arts companies including orchestras, small chamber groups, opera companies, musical theater companies, and ballet troupes. For a different tune, musicians can work in nightclubs, at weddings, and even for the U.S. Armed Forces’ bands.

There are plenty of musicians in the world and although most of them won’t pursue a musical career, there are many more musicians interested in making a living playing music than there are jobs. Stiff competition means that experience, training, and skill level are crucial to an eager musician’s opportunities for regular work. The best prospects for wage and salary jobs in the coming years will be for religious organizations.

The earnings you can expect to make as a musician varies depending on where you work and what type of work you do. In May 2008, singers and musicians earned median wages of $21.24. Music directors and composers earned a median annual salary of $41,270. More well known musical performers and composers may earn the kind of money most of us only dream about.

Aspiring musicians, singers, musical directors, conductors, composers, and arrangers pursuing music degrees should take courses such as music theory, conducting, and composition. A solid understanding of the fundamentals of music in addition to being able to perform, write, or direct gives musicians the knowledge necessary to succeed in the music business.

Very few artists are born with the skills they need to start a successful career in art. Even the most famous artists have spent many years learning from others, exploring different styles, playing with different mediums, and perfecting their techniques. You may already have the creativity and the eye for design, but do you know how to make a living doing what you love? Going to art school could be just what you need to bring you career as an artist to the next level.

The majority of aspiring artists will benefit from some type of formal training in art and design. Here are a few reasons why going to art school could be just what you need to get your career moving in the right direction:

• Art school will not only help you develop your artistic talent, but it will also give you the business skills you need to earn a living.
• Many art-related professions require that you obtain a license. In order to get that license, you will need a degree. Interior design is an excellent example of this situation.
• The deadlines you will face in art school will help you become disciplined in your work and push yourself to the next level.
• The interaction you will have with other art school students is invaluable and can broaden the way you see the world and create your artwork. You will also become more aware of your audience.
• The connections you will make with your art school professors and fellow students could prove to be very helpful to your career in the future. Networking is important to any profession.
• Art school will give you access to some of the best materials and equipment in the industry that you might not be able to work with (or afford) on your own.
• Art school will help you grow as an artist.

Art-School.com was created to help you find the information you need to be a successful artist. From how to become a video game designer to architectural drafting degrees, our articles will provide you with the information you need to get going in the right direction.  Whether you are just starting out or looking to advance your current career, please enjoy our site and be sure to stay tuned as we bring you new information each week!