“Did you know that you wanted to go to art school?”

Me with my Basic Design students, RISD PC Illustration Majors

Even though it’s been a while since I last posted, it’s not due to a lack of things to talk about. Five RISD pre-college classes and 71 students brought a lot of great projects, silly moments, and a few heart to heart talks with unsure young artists who are trying to answer that all important question that is dominating their existence at the moment: what do I study in college?? Many assumed the six week program would answer that question crystal clear… and for some that did happen. For others, however, the whirlwind and intensity of the semester just confused them even more. It’s amazing how often I heard the same question thrown my way:

“Did you know that you wanted to go to art school?”

Yes, I did. I didn’t know what major I wanted to choose (odd fact: I thought I was going to go into Apparel), but I knew I wanted to go to art school and later chose RISD. Now, let me stress that I knew I wanted to go to art school. Meaning I wanted to learn…meaning I knew I had potential but still sucked to high heavens when it came to specific areas in art. Whenever you decide to pursue something in higher education, it’s because you usually have a deep interest and passion for it. ‘Nuff said. People who love learning French in high school know more than the average bear (or me), but that doesn't mean they are experts. Twelve-year-olds interested in Medical school aren’t taking small reptiles and performing kidney transplants in the family garage (we hope). However, when it comes to art school I find my students and many others think you have to be already amazing to get in. It’s true that you have to draw more than a stick figure, but obviously if you already knew everything about art than you wouldn’t have to go to an art college in the first place, so don’t stress it if you’re a little rough around the edges.

There was also another important factor with my decision to go to art school. First of all, let me say that I did not think I was amazing at the age of 17. Yes, I thought I had a knack for art and enjoyed making it. Going to art school just “made sense”, but more importantly, I had no doubts about pursuing a higher education in art because I truly felt like I had faith in myself no matter what I pursued. I could have been a chef, a meteorologist, or a DJ and I think I would have approached it with the same positive attitude- that with hard work, time, and patience I could be successful. With something like art, It’s easy to romanticize it into some sort of magical ability…either you have “it” or you don’t, but in the end it’s about those values that Mom and Dad tried to drill into us when we were in elementary school: study, do your homework (well), and apply yourself 100%. No pixie dust needed.

At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter where you are now…it’s how hard you push to be where you want to be in the future.

Etsy Kid Contest Entry

The Tiny Artist, originally uploaded by lauren minco.

So this my entry for the Etsy Kid Contest. I've always liked this one for its angle and the colors. It was the image I used for my second promotional mailer, too (about a year ago).

Week 4 of teaching RISD pre-college and my troops are starting to show some stress. Every semester I usually try a new assignment, this year's being a T-shirt design. I figured it would be a fun, open assignment where they could go crazy and do anything they loved, but I was surprised how many lackluster projects I got. Is it because all those all-nighters are catching up? Was the project too open and therefore overwhelming? I am very optimistic that this coming week will be better, however. In the meantime, I have 6 paintings breathing down my neck and those mailers to finish (let's not forget I have to update my 100+ client list. UGH).

Summer Madness

Whoa! Who knew that the summer months were going to hit me so hard. RISD Pre-College has begun and so far my students seem pretty much on the ball. I'm behind on my promotional materials and now have to debate whether a 10 day vacation in August should mean I should delay the whole deal until I get back (no use putting out mailers and then having to turn down jobs a week later). 

In other news, I've recently found myself featured in all these blogs! Who knew??

Design is Mine

Elephatine

Croq Blog

Pretty Little Things

Paper Crave

Eggnmeiyo

Kiddlebug

By Lilsis

We Love Etsy.com

Birdie Says Products

Sunday Sampler

The CraftGossip Blog

Quin Knits a Twisted yarn

Hullabaloo

Thanks everyone!

New Work (not to be confused with New York)

Alright! So the 1st one was a commission for a wedding portrait I did based off of the original "Happy Couple" on my website (I like to say this one is the remix). The second one is for the a show I have 8/8/88. They were going with an eight ball theme, so all the pieces had to be on 8" circles. I've never used my acryla gouache on canvas before (especially so tiny! Oye!) but I'm pleased with the way it came out.

Monday I start teaching again for RISD Pre-college and am really excited about that. I also have 3 painting that I need to finish (oh wait, make that four) hopefully by next Friday. Yikes.

Oh yes, and my trip was good. I won a kazoo as an award for "Relative Who Traveled the Most Distance" and was able to see a lot of California that I haven't seen before. Sometimes I wish Rhode Island had such glorious beaches!

TGIF, mate.

Ok, it's not like Fridays around here are really a big deal since I don't have a nine to five job. Actually,  I taught on Saturday mornings in the past and it usually was a little sad because I couldn't celebrate like my friends did. No, Friday nights represented early bedtimes and morning panics. Luckily those days are gone!

I can still feel the need  for the week to be over, however. My boyfriend and I need to go grocery shopping desperately this weekend (please honey?) and there will be duck pin bowling with $1.00 beer/$.50 hotdogs. Today I just wrapped up the cover image for CROQ issue #12! I feel like I can't really post it yet (cheating maybe?). I will wait for it to come out and then let everyone know. I do like the final image- two girls painting on each other (sounds kinda sexy, doesn't it? It's not).

I know you want pictures, but tough.

It is Memorial Day. Today, my boyfriend and I will celebrate by cleaning the apartment and fighting the terrorist that is our dirty laundry. Have at you!

On another note, I am done with teaching and have felt like I have shed my skin. This summer I will be enjoying pre-college again, and in the Fall I start teaching at Montserrat College of Art. One thing that has really helped me be successful is teaching. Jumping in out of that environment keeps my mind sharp, whether it is with business, personal goals, or the development of my art. taking my own advice (the advice I give my students) has saved me a lot of stress and anguish.  Some of the important things I've realized, especially in the last few months:

1) There are thousands of clients out there. My work will not fit all of their needs, and that's okay. I do not have to stretch my portfolio in 263 directions. I can pick the subjects/styles that make me happy and try to find clients that fit ME.

2) It's about time I got those damn books my teachers told me about!

3) Hard work always pays off, even if it's in ways you don't realize.

4) Do not be too influenced by your inspirations and likes. The world doesn't need another (insert artist's name here). They need one of YOU.

5) Connected to no. 4... no one will do your work better than you. Isn't that enough reason to find your own identity?

6) learn from your mistakes and failures. It is okay to be disappointed, even angry for a moment, but that moment has to pass.

7) Your work should make you happy. If it doesn't, something is wrong.