There are so many reasons why I didn’t pursue a formal education in art, and I can say with about 98% conviction that I am happy I chose the path that I did. As you know I am a Registered Nurse, I feel that I was meant to travel down this path despite all of the ups and downs. Nursing has taught me so much about life. It has driven home the need to live in the moment; tomorrow isn’t promised to anyone. Most importantly being a nurse gave me the knowledge and skill to care for grandma when she was dying of cancer. Being a somewhat vicious advocate for her in itself was worth going down this often very difficult path. I don’t necessarily think a degree in art could have taught me as many life lessons like nursing has. Granted I have no idea what my life would look like if I pursued an art degree so this is just an assumption, but I think it’s a fair one.
I know so many people who have pursued a degree in art, and because of it they have lost their drive for creating. They’re forced to follow a curriculum and paint something that they may not enjoy. They also have to be resilient enough to have their work critiqued. I would likely be expelled for slashing the tires of a professor’s car after they critiqued my art…Some of my friends have made it through year one of art school, then by year two they have changed degrees and never pick up a brush again. I don’t want to be that person.
Just because art school wasn’t in the cards for me doesn’t mean it isn’t for other people. Some people are driven by critiques and assignments. I survived nursing school with enough critiques to last me a lifetime. At the end of the day everyone’s circumstances are different, and some people have different expectations in life. Right now being a nurse affords me the luxury of doing the things I want to in life like travelling the world.
Art is such a huge passion of mine, I work really hard to ensure doesn’t turn into a ‘job.’ This is contrary to what most artists are trying to achieve with their careers. I’m careful in how I approach commissions or projects, I never want it to feel like creating is something I’m forced to do in order to survive. Being a nurse is stressful, and I depend on art as my creative outlet, which to me is really important. If I pursued an arts degree there would be the forced notion of having to make money from my work. I know this would slowly eat away at the passion I have for it. At some point in my life I do want to be able to do what I love for a living, but right now it’s just not reality. One day it will be, but just not right now.
Despite the fact that I am self taught artist, I am constantly seeking out new learning opportunities. I learn so much from the many mistakes I make along the way. Just because you haven’t invested the time and money into an arts degree doesn’t mean you can’t grow as an artist. Like any skill it takes dedication and practice to continue to grow. There are so many great artists out there who have no formal education who have successful art careers. They’re dedicated to their craft and they just make it work.
At this moment I don’t know what the future holds. Right now art is something that I simply love doing, and at the same time being a nurse allows me to buy fun (or expensive) art supplies!
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