Advice: What can I do for the mean time?

[Sleep_Eden_sleep]

Due to complications with tuition and limited finance, I will not be attending my desired art college (Academy of Art University in San Francisco) anytime soon, but I'm determined to go there eventually. So, for now, I'm attending a community college. Might as well take some art classes and get transferrable credits, right?

Anyway, here's my problem: aside from working and earning money for college tuition and going to school, is there anything else, in you guys' opinion, you think I should do? I feel understimulated as an artist (I've noticed I'm less inspired than before, and the urge to draw isn't as strong as before), and being the fish-out-of-water introvert that I am here in the outskirt cities outside of San Francisco, I'm not as outgoing as those who are.. out there, so I really don't have any resources (especially artistic ones) to do anything outside of what I'm doing now. I know it might be something personal, but like I said, without any resources, it's really hard to just find things out for yourself.

So, anyone have any suggestions of any sort as to what I can do and/or what I can do as an artist? If you have suggestions about activities I can join around in my area, I'm all ears for that as well.

[Storyboard Dave]

Due to complications with tuition and limited finance, I will not be attending my desired art college (Academy of Art University in San Francisco) anytime soon, but I'm determined to go there eventually. So, for now, I'm attending a community college. Might as well take some art classes and get transferrable credits, right?

Anyway, here's my problem: aside from working and earning money for college tuition and going to school, is there anything else, in you guys' opinion, you think I should do? I feel understimulated as an artist (I've noticed I'm less inspired than before, and the urge to draw isn't as strong as before), and being the fish-out-of-water introvert that I am here in the outskirt cities outside of San Francisco, I'm not as outgoing as those who are.. out there, so I really don't have any resources (especially artistic ones) to do anything outside of what I'm doing now. I know it might be something personal, but like I said, without any resources, it's really hard to just find things out for yourself.

So, anyone have any suggestions of any sort as to what I can do and/or what I can do as an artist? If you have suggestions about activities I can join around in my area, I'm all ears for that as well.


You're asking for inspiration.

Well, inspiration is all around you. And if you don't at least put pencil to paper just drawing anything, it's not going to happen. Art is all over. Explore what makes you tick. It's not resources you lack; it's someone guiding you or directing you.

For starters try doing a few sketches of things around you (as bland as you might think they are) and post them on the Sketchbook area of this forum. Toss it out there, see if it sticks and listen to the critcism. But do remember that it is a sketchbook area- NOT a finished art area. Don't be afraid to just toss it out there and see what people think.

That old Nike slogan of "Just Do It" applies to you.

Don't worry that it's not going to be in the Society of Illustrators annual show or make Spielberg come sign you up for your creativity. Just look across the room, find something there and sketch it out as detailed as you want to make it. And then after you're somewhat satisfied, repeat the process again and again and again with other things.

It has nothing to do with you being introverted or geography. This has everything to do with your desire to improve.

Good luck and just give a shot at it.

[Qitsune]

Maybe these guys can help out: http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=21939

You can also join thunderdomes and community activities here at CA.org.

Or Try Prom's challenge: http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=69940

Those should all keep you challenged and busy for a while.

[Seedling]

Hi eden,
About art school: the degree you get doesn’t matter. What education you get, and what you learn from it, DOES matter, but you can get that education from sources other than your chosen school.

Take what classes you can, where you can. Devote as much time as possible to improving at your art. And use this place as a resource. If you tune in here, I think you could get as strong an education as you would get at a good art school. (And I say this as a graduate of RISD, so I really do mean it.)

Here’s an activity that could help you: join me in the sketchbook section with your own painting-a-day thread. I do one one-hour still-life each day, first thing in the morning. I can look back through the thread and see my progress, and the activity leaves me feeling really positive all day. Even if I produce poo, at least I’ve dragged myself out of bed and learned something.

Anyway, it would be great fun to have company doing this, hint hint. :-)

[Sleep_Eden_sleep]

Dave, thanks man, you always come through.

Qitsune, thanks for the links! I'm checking them out right now.

Seedling, I'll see what I can do. I'm only hesitant because I don't have a scanner, lol.


Again, thanks everyone.

[Seedling]

No Scanner, eh? How about a digital camera? That's what I use.

[Storyboard Dave]

No Scanner, eh? How about a digital camera? That's what I use.

Just make sure you light it properly and you'll be fine!

Besides not every piece we create fits so nicely on a scan bed.