The one artform that I, and people who personally know me the best, would say that I am the best at - is drawing.
In time, I will share some pictures of drawings that I have done over the years, but for now, let's just say that my skills with pen and pencil are "above average".
This is NOT a boast, I just truly believe that I have honed that craft, so I feel that I can make these bold claims without hesitation.
Anyway, when I was a sophomore in High School, I applied to get admitted into the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts.
I created a portfolio and wrote a letter that stated why I should be admitted to attend there for the last 2 remaining years of my High School education.
Judgement day came and I had to sit in front of a panel of judges who were to determine whether or not I should get in.
First off, one of the judges read my letter and had the audacity to say to the judge sitting next to them, out loud, "I love it when these kids get their parents to write their letters for them."
My blood began to boil.
As I write this, I will go as far to admit that this memory makes me want to cry right now.
Anyway, I told them, "I WROTE THAT", and they didn't say anything - but I could see it in their faces, they didn't believe me.
They looked over my stuff, looked at me and said, "we will give you an answer in a few weeks."
I went back to my life and waited patiently.
They called me back in and my mom and I had a meeting with a man who explained to me that I didn't have enough original work in my portfolio.
See, growing up, I didn't have a lot of art teachers, so I just copied stuff - not traced, copied. That's how I learned to draw so well.
So when it came time for me to submit a portfolio, about 95% of my work were drawings that I copied out of comic books, magazines, posters, etc.
But it was still ME who drew them, I had genuinely developed my skills.
Well, the man said that I needed to do "Observational" art, and then he pulled out a xeroxed sample of a portfolio from someone who submitted a portfolio to Disney.
It was a lot of cool sketches of people posing, animals at the zoo, plants and landscapes, etc. - I still have that xerox today.
He said, "See, you have to be able to draw from life. See if you can create some more pieces and come back, maybe we can let you in."
At 16, I misunderstood what he meant and thought that he wanted me to come up with original stuff and that the whole "drawing from life" thing, was merely a general comment about me as an artist - so I came back with some original pieces and got denied.
I can't tell you how many times I've gone over this experience in my head, wishing that I had made different decisions.
Fast forward 12 years later, here I am, working towards starting a career as an artist.
I play music, I draw and illustrate, I write, I perform magic, I've done a bit of sculpture, etc.
Every now and then, I go to websites for some art schools that I would STILL love to attend, just to check out what's new and how much they cost, etc.
This always bums me out, I don't know why I do it - I'm only torturing myself.
The thing that always gets me is how EXPENSIVE these schools are, let's take a look...
Right now, I am looking at websites for 3 different art schools, and I am only looking at the fees for tuition:
Otis College of Art and Design: $15,330
Academy of Art University: $16,080
Art Center College of Design: $16, 637
Oh yeah, by the way, these are per SEMESTER.
I once had a conversation years ago, with a guy I used to know who was attending Art Center for photography.
He said that he knew a girl who had just graduated at the time, and that he asked her how much debt she had in student loans after it was all said and done.
She said,"About $150,000".
Oh, and don't forget, this was a LONG time ago.
Hmm, interesting.
Another story...
I once met a girl at a bar, and she had just graduated from Art Center as an Illustration major - I was JEALOUS.
I asked her, "So, are you working as an artist now?"
She went on to tell me that she was working for a clothing company, making cutesy designs for t-shirts and things, and that she was BORED.
I told her, "Why don't you just try to sell your own stuff and make a living off of YOUR art? You have the credibility now with that degree."
She said, "It's not that easy."
What?
I asked her, "Well, do you feel like your education was worth what you paid??"
And she said, "Probably not, I could have used that money to buy materials, to rent out a space, start my own career. Everything I learned in school, I could've learned along the way just working."
Isn't that interesting?
This is why I started Affordable Art School.
I don't want to waste years of my life, the money, the effort, the energy, etc., etc., etc., on an education that isn't going to take me to where it's supposed to take me - to a career that I LOVE.
A while ago, I had the realization that MY LIFE IS MY ART SCHOOL.
Forget formal training - I'm doing this old skool, if it kills me.
"But Eddie, what if you never make it?"
At least I died trying, and that's how people will remember me.
I would rather die being remembered as someone who never gave up in the face of a ton of adversity vs. someone who quit because everyone else told them, "But it's probably not gonna happen bro, you gotta be REALISTIC."
If that's what people consider to be "realisitic", then their perception of reality is of no use to me and is a waste of my time.
I want to interject something here...
I still want to go to art school and have every intention of attending, I just realize that going to school has nothing to do with how old you are - so I'm just not in a hurry.
Besides, if you're doing art to hurry up and make money, you're not making art.
So I think I'll just take my time and do it right.
Did you LEARN anything from this post?
You like apples?
Well, I'd bet you all the money in the world, that they don't teach this stuff at ANY art school.
How you like 'DEM apples?
I'll talk to you soon ;)
Eddie
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