Being an Art Nerd...

Wow, it has been crazy these past few weeks...I hadn't had a chance to even blog!

Well, first off, this week is mid-portfolio review in 2 of my classes (Drawing & Photography)...I love that our professors do these, even though they are A LOT of work. Basically, at the end of the semester, you submit pieces of your work for each category in your portfolio, then we get critqued by an outside artist or photographer, and we are graded off of their review! This review is about 90% of your grade. So our professors have put together a mid portfolio review so we can submit our work thus far to them, they will do a sample critique and it will help us get on track for our final critique.

I am attending a community college, but they are actually a very good college. They are known for their arts program, so it gets rather competitive among the students. Everyone is vying for that one comment on their piece "Accepted to Gallery"...that is the comment we all strive for. And what's so awesome is, if your work is accepted into the school gallery, at the end of the year, there is a Student Exhibit at the DMA (Dallas Museum of Art). So these recommendations are what I am striving for in every piece that I create!

So many people think art students are weirdos who get high of off paint and are stoners who finger paint all day, lol! But, I have to tell you, getting a degree in art is pretty tough. My art classes are so much more time consuming and challenging. For my photography class alone, I spend 5 hours a week in class, and then an additional 15 hours outside of class photographing, developing and printing! Drawing class is 6 hours a week in class and an additonal 8-10 hours outside of class. And thats just 2 of my classes! I still have History of Graphic Design, and Intro to Graphic Design!

Art is also very subjective. There is no "right or wrong" answer...which sounds great on the surface. But, the negative is, you could spend 15 hours on a piece for your portfolio. You come up with composition and the idea, and you pour all of your creativity into it...and if you get a judge who just doesnt like your style, then boom...."Denied for Gallery" aka "F"! At times I would much rather read a text book, memorize the info and be tested on it, there is a right and wrong answer, you know it...A, you dont...F.

I sound like I am complaining; but honestly, I love it. I love the challenge...when you get "Accepted for Gallery" on your piece, its such a feeling of pride and personal satisfaction. And that feeling drives me; you get it once, and you want it again and again. Ahh, I love being an Art Nerd :)