[Kimberly Dow]

I didnt see an answer that fit my situation, so here is my comments:

I always drew and painted since I was a small child. I won awards in school and was in demand in my small town in NH. I always knew I'd be an artist and everyone around me was supportive of it.

I moved out at 17 for other reasons, but because of that it was easy to get student loans (not that my mother had any money - she was a waitress). I went to a close by University and they had some great instructors. I learned some basics, but was majoring in Art Education since I didnt know if I had what it took to be a fine artist. I soon saw I was one of the top students (and certainly the top at realism) - and I changed my degree to BFA. Alas - I only went for a year and a half before I got married. I was going to go back, but soon found my husband made too much money on paper to get any loans.

My mother, not a stupid woman, but lacking in formal education beyond high school was insistant I could not go to college since there was no money. She had no problem with me wanting to be an artist (she has always been in awe of my talent) - the thing she was shocked about was student loans - she never knew they existed. Onc I got them, she was extrememly proud.

Luckily I started working as a sales clerk in a gallery and they took my paintings and sold them one after the other for a few years. In those days I did still lifes only - I had never painted an interior or a portrait - it seems I only dared do fruit and flowers!

I do not know if finishing my degree would have helped me - but if I wanted to go back to school I would go to an classical realist school/atlier - not a University. I wish I had known about them back then!