May 16 I graduate from college after studying Art and Business Administration.

After May 16 I will be going home to my family and looking for a job. I will also have limited internet connection and poor connection at that which will my dA inbox with all the amazing artists that I watch but it will be something to look forward to.

What will I be looking for job-wise? Well I know what I don't want and that's a start. I don't want to work in the food industry. I've been in there for over three years since I started college. I also know I need to be realistic. Sure I've studied Business Administration and I took a class about management but do I have any experience in managing? Very very little. Not quite 'none' but I know I won't be hired for that position as soon as I throw my cap into the air. In short, I'll be looking for a place that offers good starting wages, allows me to climb up the "power" ladder (be a manager eventually), and where the supervisor(s) and top manager(s) know what they're doing. It's something to shoot for but it's not outrageous.

What about Art? It was possibly the worst major I could have picked at my particular college. Here's why: I didn't do my homework when it came to finding the college that's right for me. I listed four random colleges that weren't too far away from home and then compared the tuition and financial aid they each offered. I ended up at a private institute with B.A. in Art--general, no specifics and it covers the basic art courses, nothing too advanced unless you take Figure Drawing 1-4.

The professors are another reason why it was a terrible choice. There are only two professors that cover the classes offered at this institute. One for 3-D and one for 2-D. Mrs.*B*witch has poor teaching skills (no that is not her actual name) and she subscribes to favoritism. It's not a matter of sucking up, which I can do but prefer not to, it's about dominance and submissiveness. I am generally a pacifist but I am no one's lapdog or carpet. Another characteristic of Mrs.*B*witch is that she critique's poorly. She will not only tell you what is wrong with a student's work from the beginning, but she will watch over the student's shoulder and dictate how the WIP needs to be done. Then she will figuratively rip the student's work in the form of public humiliation aka 'class critique'.

For the first year, I hated going to my art classes. I wondered what I was doing there, how could I think that I had anything to contribute to the art world? I considered up until last semester changing my major and minor around. What stopped me? My scholarships were for art. I couldn't get scholarships to replace them if I changed my major. Plus, someone thought I was good enough to be given money to study art besides my family, who were and are my central support through everything.

What about the other professor? I did mention two. Well, I found my strengths in 3-D, ceramics and sculpture specifically. Considering I only started to learn those crafts my sophmore year, I'm not bad. I'm no amazing like some 3-D artists here in dA but I have talent, I know I do. I just won't have the means (money and place) to keep practicing and studying once I graduate. There isn't a place to learn back home.

I didn't quit though I wanted to sometimes. I love art. I love the beauty and movement and horror and the ability to leave viewers speechless that comes from art. I think it is amazing that people can create intagibles through art. It is amazing that I can feel through colors and textures.
So I have passion but do I have talent? It's in there. Unlike several artists who were drawing since they were kids and/or who knew they wanted to be an artist when they got older, I was interested in making my own art my last year and a half from high school. My talent needs a lot more work and a lot more polish to bring it out. I know my dA gallery doesn't show it and I don't have any other place in the 'Net that shows it. My talent has been hiding in fear of people like Mrs. *B*witch who can say terrible things to kill budding talent.

I have doodles and sketches I've done every blue moon during my time in college. I'm going to that and more once finals and graduation is over.
My job, once I get one, probably won't be in the Art field but I don't mind. I have my priorities, which are bills and rent.

What do you get out of reading this? Maybe you have had a similar experience or you know someone who has. Maybe you are about to go to college and major in art. Maybe this is what could have been the road haphazardly taken if you hadn't done the things you did to become the awesome artist that you are.
For me, this is something of a picture. I plan to look back and see some positive differences.