if i could go back and do it all again....

[thespirals]

-i would have gone to as many workshops as i possibly could
-i would have actively looked for the most motivated students and made friends with them and collaborated, instead of just the students that i clicked with in a personal way
-i would have not allowed myself to be so biased (ie. being against digital or traditional, or being against certain subjects/styles)
-i would have actively researched the teachers to figure out which ones were right for me before i took the class
-i would have had a more open mind
-i would have humbled myself and pushed myself way outside my boundaries instead of only working on what i was already good at, for ego's sake
-i wouldn't have let myself get too caught up in personal matters that got in the way of my education

dont take your education for granted
soak it up like a sponge!

that said, its never too late to get your ass back in check

[Storyboard Dave]

I wholeheartedly agree with all of these with the minor quibble about being biased.

What I try to explain to my students about not liking a piece of artwork is that it's okay not to like someone's work. You don't have to embrace everything BUT you have to explain why you don't like it, quantify it and humbly state that it's your opinion and not in any way shape or form a personal attack. For the most part if a person doesn't like a piece they clam up and don't say much out of courtesy; that's fine too.

Conversely I also try to ask that if you do like a piece of artwork- explain yourself there too. What is it about a piece that you like? Is it the subject matter? Is it the composition? Is it the typography? Is it the use of colors? Is it the story behind it? What about this piece that appeals to you. And again- be prepared to explain it in a sound and logical opinion.

So in my humble opinion, it's perfectly fine to have some biases- but at least understand them and how you came to those conclusions. Keeping the open mind might also change some of those biases too.

It's truly a wonderful list, thespirals. I wish more people would adhere to these ideals that you laid out here. We'd be a better society for it.