Why I Still Have Nightmares About My Portfolio Review
Look, I’m gonna level with you. I went to art school. It was the best and worst time of my life. I’m not even kidding. I still wake up in a cold sweat thinking about that portfolio review in 1998. Professor Henderson—let’s call him that, his real name was something pretentious like Montgomery—he looked at my work and said, “You have no original ideas, Lisa.” Which… yeah. Fair enough. I was 20. What did I know?
But here’s the thing. I’m not sure art school is for everyone. And frankly, I’m not sure it’s for anyone. I mean, I loved it. I met my best friends there. I learned alot about myself. But was it worth the $87,000 in student loans? I’m not sure but probably not.
I was talking to my friend Marcus about this last Tuesday. He’s a graphic designer now. He said, “Lisa, art school was a scam.” I said, “Marcus, don’t say that.” He said, “It’s true. You know it’s true.” And honestly? He’s not wrong.
But Here’s the Thing About Art School…
It’s not just about learning to make art. It’s about learning to make art under pressure. It’s about learning to make art when you’re tired, when you’re hungover, when you’re broke. It’s about learning to make art when you don’t feel like it. And that’s a valuable lesson. I mean, I learned more about committment and physicaly pushing through creative blocks in one semester of art school than I did in four years of high school.
But here’s the thing. You can learn that stuff outside of art school too. You can learn it from a mentor. You can learn it from a community. You can learn it from a book. You don’t need to spend $87,000 to learn it.
I remember sitting in the cafeteria with my friend Dave. He was a painter. He said, “Lisa, I’m never gonna make money from this.” I said, “Dave, don’t say that.” He said, “It’s true. You know it’s true.” And honestly? He’s not wrong.
The Myth of the Starving Artist
Look, I’m not saying you can’t make money from art. You can. But it’s not easy. And it’s not guaranteed. And frankly, it’s not even the point. The point is to make art. To express yourself. To connect with people. To make something beautiful. To make something meaningful.
But here’s the thing. You don’t need art school to do that. You don’t need a degree to be an artist. You don’t need a gallery show to be a painter. You don’t need a record deal to be a musician. You just need to make art. You just need to create. You just need to put your work out there and hope that someone, somewhere, connects with it.
I’m not saying art school is a waste of time. I’m saying it’s not the only way. And I’m saying it’s not for everyone. And I’m saying it’s not even for most people. I mean, look at the numbers. According to a study by the Strategic National Arts Alumni Project, only 52% of visual artists with a bachelor’s degree are working in the arts. And only 44% of those artists are making a living wage. So, you do the math.
But here’s the thing. I’m not saying don’t go to art school. I’m saying go if you want to. Go if you need to. Go if you can afford it. But don’t go because you think you have to. Don’t go because you think it’s the only way. Don’t go because you think it’s gonna make you an artist.
So What’s the Alternative?
I’m not sure. I mean, I don’t have all the answers. But I know this. There are alot of resources out there. There are books. There are online courses. There are workshops. There are communities. There are mentors. There are people who want to help you. You just have to find them. You just have to reach out. You just have to ask.
And look, I’m not saying it’s easy. It’s not. It’s hard. It’s scary. It’s uncomfortable. But it’s also exciting. It’s also empowering. It’s also… I don’t know. It’s also kinda fun.
I remember when I was first starting out. I was scared. I was insecure. I was full of doubt. But I was also full of passion. I was also full of ideas. I was also full of hope. And that’s what kept me going. That’s what kept me creating. That’s what kept me going to the studio every day, even when I didn’t feel like it. Even when I was tired. Even when I was broke. Even when I was hungover.
So, yeah. Art school. It’s a mixed bag. It’s a scam and a blessing. It’s a waste of time and a valuable experience. It’s not for everyone and it’s for anyone. It’s hard to say. It’s hard to know. It’s hard to explain. But it’s also hard to regret. Even with the nightmares. Even with the student loans. Even with the doubt. It’s still worth it. At least, it was for me.
But honestly, I’m not sure. I mean, I’m still figuring it out. I’m still learning. I’m still growing. I’m still creating. I’m still trying to make sense of it all. And I’m still trying to make art. I’m still trying to connect. I’m still trying to make something beautiful. I’m still trying to make something meaningful.
And I’m still trying to figure out if art school was worth it. I’m not sure. But I’m gonna keep trying. I’m gonna keep creating. I’m gonna keep reaching out. I’m gonna keep asking. I’m gonna keep learning. I’m gonna keep growing. I’m gonna keep making art. And I’m gonna keep hoping that someone, somewhere, connects with it.
So, yeah. That’s my story. That’s my truth. That’s my take on art school. It’s not pretty. It’s not neat. It’s not tidy. But it’s mine. And I’m okay with that.
And look, if you’re thinking about going to art school, I’m not gonna stop you. I’m not gonna tell you not to go. I’m just gonna tell you to think about it. To really think about it. To consider all the options. To talk to people. To do your research. To read articles. To check out lifestyle tips daily improvement. To make an informed decision. To make the best decision for you.
Because at the end of the day, it’s your life. It’s your art. It’s your journey. And it’s your decision. So, make it a good one. Make it an informed one. Make it a thoughtful one. Make it a true one. Make it yours.
And if you do decide to go to art school, I hope you have a better experience than I did. I hope you learn alot. I hope you make great friends. I hope you discover yourself. I hope you make amazing art. I hope you have a blast. I really do.
But if you decide not to go to art school, I hope you find another way. I hope you find a mentor. I hope you find a community. I hope you find a book. I hope you find an online course. I hope you find a workshop. I hope you find something that works for you. I hope you find something that inspires you. I hope you find something that challenges you. I hope you find something that helps you grow. I hope you find something that helps you create. I hope you find something that helps you connect. I hope you find something that helps you make something beautiful. I hope you find something that helps you make something meaningful.
Because that’s what it’s all about, isn’t it? It’s about creating. It’s about connecting. It’s about making something beautiful. It’s about making something meaningful. It’s about making art. It’s about being an artist. It’s about living a creative life. It’s about following your passion. It’s about finding your truth. It’s about finding your voice. It’s about finding your way.
And I hope you find it. I really do.
About the Author: Lisa Johnson is a senior magazine editor with over 20 years of experience writing feature articles for major publications. She’s also a painter, a poet, and a passionate advocate for the arts. She lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband, her dog, and her cat. She’s still paying off her art school loans.
If you’re inspired by how order and creativity intertwine, don’t miss this insightful piece on transforming life through creative organization in the vibrant city of Utrecht.
If you’re inspired by the courage to pursue creativity over convention, explore this compelling journey into why leaving a traditional career can unlock true artistic freedom in embracing art as a life path.
Explore how current global challenges are reshaping creativity and culture in the visual arts by diving into this insightful piece on artistic transformation amid turmoil.
