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• Thursday, July 17, 2008 05:49 AM

  One small piece of advice to add to the other good advice already posted

  I actually enjoy these kinds of letters. I know how it feels to be stuck and unable to find a way to move forward, even when you really want to.

  In the interest of full disclosure, I will say that I have a great love for the visual arts, as well as the crafts (especially jewelry and book arts), but I was never an "art star" by any stretch, so I make my living as a reasonably-skilled graphic designer. It pays well, and I am at a point in my career where I get interesting and valuable projects quite regularly.

  The only point I want to add to other people's excellent advice is this: Don't worry about adopting the persona of the "crazy, free, liberated person who is in the artist tribe" if this is not your authentic style. To do any art well requires skill, focus, dedication, discipline, organization, planning, sweat, struggle, as well as the obvious creativity and passion.

  You don't have to wear clothes that don't suit you, or affect a fake personality. Being yourself - your TRUE self - and being committed to doing YOUR art is what makes you an artist.

  I will also add that I loved every single minute I spent at art school, but it was extremely expensive and you must be very, very careful before spending thousands of dollars for tuition. Consider part-time studies for a while before making any such decision.

  Some people find these kinds of "Who am I?" questions trivial, but I think that more people should spend some time thinking through these issues. So do the work. It is not an easy journey, but it is worth it.

  I wish you all the best.

  —SVS-NS Read SVS-NS's other letters
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