To go to school in a double major that will take ~5 years my tuition will be ~40k in tuition on the overestimate side and that’s for Computer Science and Multimedia Art People put too much weight on dedicated art schools while a lot of community colleges and state colleges are a thousand times more affordable, have a higher reputation in a wider variety of jobs so your degree means more in a different field than just what you got a major in, and they can actually be really good. My school’s a state school, but my education is rigorous and fulfilling. People snob it, but god I’m not paying 100k to be an artist And with my CS degree I’ll be able to sustain my art life until it can sustain itself, art school is painfully overrated

Oh my goodness, SO many things to comment on here. First and foremost, thank you so much for sharing so much of your story in this video. I was really amazing to get to know you that much better. Secondly, I'll say I do wish I had more art background in school. I had one semester in junior high followed by a semester of "special projects" because the teacher saw a lot of potential in me, but it would be another four years until I could take another art class again after that. I went to a science-magnet high school, and while I wouldn't trade the year of zoology I was able to take for anything, I desperately wish I had been able to take art as an elective before my senior year. Actually, I requested to do so, but my ***hole of a "guidance" counselor put me in band instead because it was "more fun"... so I wasted two years on that being absolutely miserable doing something I was terrible at. I finally had a chance to take art again my senior year, but by then I was head over heals in love with the zoo so I went to college for that (until I got an ulcer from my chem class, but that's another story, lol). I did take one art history class in college, one on photography, and I must have taken a semester of actual art because I still have the acrylics I bought for it... but I remember absolutely nothing from the entire experience. I don't even have any project from it and I save everything. Maybe it didn't happen, lol... anyway, it was sad to be so disconnected from something I enjoyed doing. I think you've probably heard me say before that I didn't even know watercolor as a professional medium, because out of all those experiences, it literally didn't come up once. I like you am self driven to learn everything I can about subjects I love. Admittedly, I'm definitely not as diverse in my interests as you are, but once I caught on to watercolors, I clearly RAN with it. And that's where my "third of all" comes in... The internet is a wonderful place to learn new skills. For all the bad that comes along with it, you can find ways to teach yourself just about any artistic hobby your heart desires and I'm so grateful for my "new life" with all my new internet art friends. Some times I have a bit of the impostor syndrome going on since I'm not "academically trained" for teaching this subject, but I think it's pretty cool I've been able to thrive from sheer will and passion of doing so. Anyhoo, I absolutely love your first piece in particular here. The style reminds me a bit of Alexander and the Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Day which I have very fond memories of my grandmother reading to me growing up. Also, congrats on that shiny new(ish?) Schmincke palette! Yum! Thanks again for sharing your story, and I admire your perseverance and determination.

Really inspiring story. I briefly considered going to art school but i decided against it. Instead I’m going to a nursing college and doing art on the side

I think that last statement is true of most college experiences. We choose college based on a dream but are never told the grinding reality of paying for it. Oh and jewelry making is really not that hard. Unless you are talking metal working. Most of the rest of jewelry making is pretty much making a mosaic in 3d! Rodents send a Wink to Bubba. They said he would know what that means.

I had written a pretty lengthy reply while I was watching, but you basically covered everything I was chiming in on. What it comes down to is that in the modern era of KZfaq, online classes, and small local part time classes, traditional art schools are high in their initial enrollments, but their carry-over retention is at an all time low. That means, a lot of young, aspiring artists going into art school, but dropping or transferring out after their first or second years. It's a shame, too, because everything I learned going to art school had almost nothing to do with art, my skills, or being an artist. That all came because, like you, I was hungry for it. And like you said, it was all 100% worth it to be where we're at now. Did you ever think you'd be inspiring and influencing thousands of other artists, students, and people who may be on the fence? And like you, I think that's pretty amazing. Great, great conversation and I adored the work you presented, almost as much as the story of your experiences. xo

Thanks for the info. I hope Good things head your way.

You have no idea how much I appreciate hearing this from you!!!❤️❤️

Heh, I get having an insatiable desire for learning. I've said for years that my life's goal is to learn everything. I know I'll fail, but what a ride! And I totally get moving from craft to craft, from art medium to art medium. I feel like we'd really get along well... 😁

It's fascinating to listen to your experiences as you draw. You have a great skill at both art and conversation!

I just found you today and am bingeing your videos since. I admire your output and the subjects/topics you discuss.

I think I'm late in realizing that there's a lot of options, that I don't need to be stuck at one way. Now I realize that I'm surrounded by lots of tutorial sources with the help of internet, and I can learn a lot from there. I also can start planning what I want to do. Love your video. Like it.

An absolutely brilliant topic Kat! Great advice. Like you, I get bored with things I learn quickly, and want to move onto the next thing and absorb even more! I have been thinking about doing a university art course, but cost is always such a massive deterrent. And like you say, you can learn soooo much online, I know I have, and the lovely people you meet along the way are an added incredible bonus. Some of your story sounds so similar to some of my experiences that you had me hanging on your every word. Even though you only touched on a few things briefly, it is great to hear how far you have come and how much of an important role art has had in that. Thanks so much for sharing 💜💜💜

So many moments of "are you me" in here. Insatiable learner, jack of all trades, master of some, always picking up new hobbies and learning new skills. (Also, late in life diagnosis of ADHD which explained that yep, that's how my brain is wired. Never stop learning, never stop doing, never stop ever.) I kept meaning to take an art class in college but never actually got around to it. I did some art in high school (I wanted out of studyhall like burning, got permission from the teacher to take it pass/fail and just went at it full tilt.) but the small bursts of "I wanna art!" never came around the time for picking classes and I just never got around to it. Considering it took me 3 schools and 10 years to actually *finish* college (partly because I changed my mind what my major was going to be roughly once every month) it was likely for the best. Also, re: jewelry forging (instead of crafting/assembling): There are some affordable high temp mold making compounds and you can get a kit for melting pewter for under $50. If you want to do the sculpt, cast and pour, there's a tonne of metal casting resources out there, it's amazing. Downside, you need a garage, studio or similar cause that it not at all something you can do in your living space.

Hi Kat! :) thanks for sharing your experience with art school, I was to scared to go when I was accepted, but went to another school instead... sometimes I think back and question my decision. School in the US is tougher though and more expensive.

I’ve been wrestling with returning to grad school or not (for writing, not art) in large part because I miss having a local community of creative folks. This just reassures me about my decision to look harder for my local peeps...surely they’re around here; I just need to find them!

I really appreciated your thoughts on what parts of art school were worth it and what parts weren't. I also think the amount of learning potential available freely now on KZfaq is truly wonderful and amazing! ^^ Also, it might be silly, but I was so thrilled to see this little sketchbook show up again. ^^ Hello, Bubba! I hope you got some great naps today on squooshy beds! My cats had a huge spook yesterday which they're still recovering from. Those loud machine men showed up outside their windows, and this time they actually took a tree away with them! It was very loud and highly unsettling. Big naps are required today to recover from that!

I taught myself via the library and later tried to go to school for it but they always wanted cash up front fees and I preferred having a roof over my head so I continued teaching myself and tutoring students who were going to school for art which made me think what are they paying for? They were told to draw a subject using materials they had no clue how to use and the teachers didn't even give a demonstration or tips so they would fail and have to retake the class, except those who got tutored passed and pissed off the teachers famous for high fail rates. Now people have you tube and I'm glad I didn't go I've learned more on my own by figuring it out , the local library being my school. So to me real school has never been worth it. Thanks for sharing your story and your art I enjoy watching your process.

Hi¡ I'm just starting a degree in historical preservation and conservation. The first year has exactly the same subjects as the art degree, and I'm a bit scared, cause even though I've learnt some drawing/painting on my own, I don't know if I'll be good enough.

I somehow managed to get out of my education debt free, thanks to low fees in Germany at the time. It also meant I couldn‘t go to art school though, because there was so much competition for so few places and applications come from all over the world! They sent me a pretty soul crushing letter where they called my work derivative and it literally said that I showed absolutely no potential. My reaction was f*** ‘em, I wouldn‘t have liked it there anyway! I was pretty angry about it and took it in the same way you took your teacher‘s no. A couple years later I had my first solo show and put some pictures from that portfolio in the show! Spite is such a great motivator 😂 Not going to a cut throat high tier art school definitely saved me from an awful lot of heartbreak! Those places are vicious and in every crit they try to be as hurtful as they can be. The only thing I‘m lacking is all those connections that people get out of art school. Things are a lot easier when you have those. Those kind of schools can definitely get you MoMA shows. But well, the connections, that‘s a fine art thing, it doesn‘t really matter much for the more applied arts like illustration or design. I must say though, 100K debt for a degree ... that‘s just robbery! Sorry to hear that you had such a tough time of it! Very interesting to hear your perspective!

We are twins! At least personality wise. I wish I could go to Art School because I like learning in a structured environment. I don't know what I need to learn so trying to figure that out and learn art is hard for me. Especially with my oooo, look a new thing to learn, mind. Some book recommendations would be helpful. Any book recommendations for foundation or fundamentals is what I'm looking for at the moment.

To me higher education is invaluable. I was lucky enough to do it all paid for, I was recruited for both my masters and my PhD programs. I did spend an off a lot of time writing for grants and going to thanking your sponsor brunches but hey it’s better than paying for it. I am a bit of a polymath so I ended up graduating with my bachelors with over 200 credits, dual major, triple minor, so I know what you mean about the endless thirst for knowledge. I would love to be afforded the chance to go to art school now being that so much of my training is in communication generally but symbolic art history as well, but it’s not in the cards. I really enjoyed your story and your art. Thanks for this video. ❤️

I am the same I love to work at things I know nothing about. An once I learn how to do it when it gets to easy I move on. But art I love art I am a artist

This just totally confirmed to me that it’s totally worth it to bumble my way through exposing my nieces and nephew to art-the sheer pleasure of unfettered expression, wild experiments and a few foundational skill slipped in there too. #artfunwithauntie Ugh I hated only ever having the worst, least functional art supplies their age.

I want to go to an art school to become a film director/producer (specifically working in cartoons) and there’s a school that is basically my dream school, but it’s out of state. I talked to my mom about it and she said I should go for it, the only real problems are money for living there and the fact that I’m not sure I’d be able to hold up because of all my anxiety. I’ve gotten a lot better at overcoming my anxiety but I know that I’ll struggle with not having anyone I know near me, and that’s scary. I’ve never been one to do things on my own so this would be a total life change in pretty much every aspect possible, I don’t know if I can do it. I’m not sure what I’m asking here or saying, but what are some recommendations? Has anyone else been through something similar?

Whats her mechanical pencil😜?? Its really good

I'm always very torn on higher education. I think it is incredibly valuable, and everyone should have the opportunity...but I also think my degree was not a good investment. I spent way more than I should for education in 3 fields...none of which I work in now and pretty consistently my employers do not care about my Degree (though they do care that I have one at all).

I never suffer from creative blocks. Art school left me with a mental block that lasted for a year. I have no clue what happened.

The American tertiary schooling system boggles my mind. I'm Australian, and I owed the government 40k for my schooling, but that was an undergrad AND a postgrad in science. Here the loan is indexed to inflation, so the amount rises by between 1.5-3% a year depending, but it's only payable back to the government once we earn a salary higher than 45k pa, and the amount we pay back is as a % of our salary. I don't understand, AT ALL, why higher education in the US is taxed. I mean sure, it has to be paid back, and it should rise in accordance with inflation to ensure that the government is getting back what they're owed, but tax? Just, why?

Do I know where you are coming from. Didn't go to college till my 40s . Then to teach social studies and every interview I had for that - position went to someone that wanted to coach. I still don't know what I want to do when I grow up, I know it is making some kind of art. AND now I am in my 70's. I hope you know before you are in your 70s ...so back to studio to make netsuki.

Okay, so... Whats my homework teach? lol