What I Would Have Done Differently
While I wouldn’t make major changes, here are some things that I regret not doing in my childhood and college years in preparation for my artistic future.
Develop Foundation Skills More Effectively in Middle/ High School
While I took art lessons throughout elementary school, I was mostly self-taught by the time I reached college. Looking back, I could have used online forums and communities to learn foundational skills like anatomy, perspective, and color theory. At this time, I was focused on developing a “style” while lacking in these skills, which often left me confused and frustrated with myself.
More Art Extracurriculars
I would have pushed myself to try out more art lessons and clubs outside of school- especially during summer break.
Challenge Myself More
I would have challenged myself to try out different media to see how truly versatile they were. I went into foundation year hating charcoal and oil pastels, but came out absolutely loving them once I learned different techniques and improved my overall drawing skills. Additionally, I would have used more of my free time to practice drawing different subjects- especially animals.
Spent More Time Enjoying The Process
Back then, I felt like I had to impress people with my art. This left me feeling overwhelmed and inadequate, leading to periods when I wouldn’t touch my sketchbooks for weeks. Rather than trying to make art for others' gaze, I wish I had spent time making things I enjoyed.
College: Joined More Extracurriculars/ Gone Outside more
Due to the amount of homework I had as an art student, social plans were often put on the back burner. By senior year, I was practically locking myself in my dorm (or as I called it, my art cave) and only leaving to (1) go to class, (2) go to the printing lab, (3) go grocery shopping. While I did get out with friends during freshman and junior year, I felt like I HAD to fully devote myself to creating in isolation. Though I was able to stay on top of my projects, I felt a bit lonely by the time I graduated. One great thing about college is the number of clubs and extracurriculars you can join; SCAD, in particular, has a plethora. If I could redo college, I would have joined or at least tried out a couple of clubs and explored the city more.
