Tuesday, March 28, 2017

My #1 Tip for Art Students


If you want to know the #1 thing you could do to get the most out of your time at art school, here's my advice:

Observe your classmates, and make friends with the artists who are going places.

How to identify them: they submit more homework than the teacher requires. They draw in their free time. They talk about studios, publishers, working artists, awards, industry publications. They spend their money on conventions, ateliers and workshops. They get excited about printing processes, business cards and paper types.

Those students are going to land studio jobs, book deals, agents and gallery shows. Make friends with them, and as much as possible, stay in touch after you graduate. Not only are they going to be valuable professional contacts, but they will also lend you the emotional and creative energy to get through the post-graduation slump. They'll invite you to join projects, meet up with you at events, introduce you to opportunities, cheer you on social media, give you advice on your portfolio and critiques on your newest pieces. They will encourage you to keep going.

These friendships are one of the most valuable benefits art school has to offer. Don't squander this opportunity.

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