Going back to school

[Jeff Fuchs]

Is a BA or BFA going to get me a job anywhere?

Sure. It got me a job with Child Protection.

Universities are good at turning out well-rounded graduates who are adaptable in the workplace, but they aren't where you go to be a serious realist artist. When you think of all the time you spend studying for your exams in French, Literature, Calculus, and World History, where do you squeeze in the time for art? You might spend six hours a week in art classes. You can spend that much time drawing at home without going to school at all. Plus, university instructors won't respect someone who wants to be a portrait artist. Tust me on this.

If you're serious, go to an art school (atelier). They are 100% art, 100% of the time (or it seems that way to me. I've never been to one).

I look at art like a trade, not an ethereal calling

HERESY!!! (but a good practical approach). You don't need to break your back to learn an ethereal calling. A trade is work. People don't care how inspired you are when they see a bad painting in a gallery. They want quality. Quality with inspiration behind it... even better.

It must be more of a southern custom

It's not "southern". It's "Southern"