How to help my son
amberlee_b
My eldest loves to draw. He has been drawing recognizable faces since he was 16 months
old....He wants to take classes at the Art Institute or someplace like that....but he is only
13 and not a "senior"in high school...
He did 8th grade through cyberschool last year, and would technically be in 9th grade this
year. We tried talking with someone at the AI yesterday, but she seemed surprised that we
would want a 13 yr old to even think about taking classes. He has been looking at things
online and is convinced this is the best bet for him.
So, how do I go about helping him get this? They won't consider finanacial aid until he is
17. Regular Art classes for "students" are not what he wants, or needs. He is looking for
something in 3D computer design as well as comic book, game art, etc. It is frustrating
for both of us. He feels a college not wanting to help him with his art potential at this age
means he isn't good enough an artist. I know that isn't true, but you can't explain it that
way to him. I hate that there is age discrimination inherent in the system....so what can I
do?
Does anyone know of a way to get him online help? correspondence? Or do we really
have to wait 4 or 5 years before anyone will accept him as a student? There must be art
apprenticeships somewhere out there???
If anyone has any thoughts or ideas to help us, I would appreciate it. I hate feeling like
you truly need to know somebody or kiss butt to gain access to what your child wants, no
matter their age.
old....He wants to take classes at the Art Institute or someplace like that....but he is only
13 and not a "senior"in high school...
He did 8th grade through cyberschool last year, and would technically be in 9th grade this
year. We tried talking with someone at the AI yesterday, but she seemed surprised that we
would want a 13 yr old to even think about taking classes. He has been looking at things
online and is convinced this is the best bet for him.
So, how do I go about helping him get this? They won't consider finanacial aid until he is
17. Regular Art classes for "students" are not what he wants, or needs. He is looking for
something in 3D computer design as well as comic book, game art, etc. It is frustrating
for both of us. He feels a college not wanting to help him with his art potential at this age
means he isn't good enough an artist. I know that isn't true, but you can't explain it that
way to him. I hate that there is age discrimination inherent in the system....so what can I
do?
Does anyone know of a way to get him online help? correspondence? Or do we really
have to wait 4 or 5 years before anyone will accept him as a student? There must be art
apprenticeships somewhere out there???
If anyone has any thoughts or ideas to help us, I would appreciate it. I hate feeling like
you truly need to know somebody or kiss butt to gain access to what your child wants, no
matter their age.
da Slinky
Perhaps you could look into finding him a mentor or an apprenticeship with a comic book or graphic novel artist. Does he have an artist he admires or wants to learn from? Perhaps if you or he wrote them a letter with a sample of his work telling them the difficulty your having with getting him into a program they would have ideas to help you or be willing to take on the role of mentor? If there is one who is local even better.
It is not exactly the art institute but it would be furthering his experience and education on the subject from people who are already doing what he wants too and have probably delt with some similar struggles.
________________________________
From: amberlee_b <amberlee16@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Wednesday, February 4, 2009 8:58:59 AM
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] How to help my son
My eldest loves to draw. He has been drawing recognizable faces since he was 16 months
old....He wants to take classes at the Art Institute or someplace like that....but he is only
13 and not a "senior"in high school...
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
It is not exactly the art institute but it would be furthering his experience and education on the subject from people who are already doing what he wants too and have probably delt with some similar struggles.
________________________________
From: amberlee_b <amberlee16@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Wednesday, February 4, 2009 8:58:59 AM
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] How to help my son
My eldest loves to draw. He has been drawing recognizable faces since he was 16 months
old....He wants to take classes at the Art Institute or someplace like that....but he is only
13 and not a "senior"in high school...
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Meredith
--- In [email protected], "amberlee_b"
<amberlee16@...> wrote:
Have y'all read The Teen Liberation Handbook? I think part of the
problem is you're still thinking in terms of classes, even online
classes.
Does he make his own comic books now? If so, look into how such
things come to be published. He could easily create his own 'zine.
Here's a free programing resource that might be useful - it happens
to be a pilot program for a university course in 3D programming:
http://www.alice.org/index.php?page=what_is_alice/what_is_alice
You might also check with community colleges and see what they have,
both for programming and art. If he's interested in life drawing, for
instance, there are often independent groups of students who pool
resources to hire models and the college art department could point
you in that direction, let you know who's organizing the group, that
sort of thing.
---Meredith (Mo 7, Ray 15)
<amberlee16@...> wrote:
>> Regular Art classes for "students" are not what he wants, orneeds. He is looking for
> something in 3D computer design as well as comic book, game art,etc.
Have y'all read The Teen Liberation Handbook? I think part of the
problem is you're still thinking in terms of classes, even online
classes.
Does he make his own comic books now? If so, look into how such
things come to be published. He could easily create his own 'zine.
Here's a free programing resource that might be useful - it happens
to be a pilot program for a university course in 3D programming:
http://www.alice.org/index.php?page=what_is_alice/what_is_alice
You might also check with community colleges and see what they have,
both for programming and art. If he's interested in life drawing, for
instance, there are often independent groups of students who pool
resources to hire models and the college art department could point
you in that direction, let you know who's organizing the group, that
sort of thing.
---Meredith (Mo 7, Ray 15)
Janet Gerla
My son is a graphics artist - he has never had an art class - he is
all self taught and self "published". He was on a few forums for
artists - one is called Pixelation or something like that. Artists
draw things and critic either other's art and there are jobs posted
on occasion. For two years, when he was 16 - 18, he worked as an
artist for a cell phone game programmer in Israel (we live in MN) and
he was very happy with that. He has had a few other scattered jobs
here and there. He is all self taught. He has used MAYA and a few
other art programs that he purchased himself (or we bought for him)
and has used library resources. Look around - there are tons of
options out there besides "classes" at colleges. He's deciding now if
he wants to go ahead and attend college and get a degree in graphic
arts or maybe get a degree in business and use his self taught skills
as the "artist education"....
Janet in MN
At 10:58 AM 2/4/2009, you wrote:
all self taught and self "published". He was on a few forums for
artists - one is called Pixelation or something like that. Artists
draw things and critic either other's art and there are jobs posted
on occasion. For two years, when he was 16 - 18, he worked as an
artist for a cell phone game programmer in Israel (we live in MN) and
he was very happy with that. He has had a few other scattered jobs
here and there. He is all self taught. He has used MAYA and a few
other art programs that he purchased himself (or we bought for him)
and has used library resources. Look around - there are tons of
options out there besides "classes" at colleges. He's deciding now if
he wants to go ahead and attend college and get a degree in graphic
arts or maybe get a degree in business and use his self taught skills
as the "artist education"....
Janet in MN
At 10:58 AM 2/4/2009, you wrote:
>My eldest loves to draw. He has been drawing recognizable faces
>since he was 16 months
>old....He wants to take classes at the Art Institute or someplace
>like that....but he is only
>13 and not a "senior"in high school...
>
>He did 8th grade through cyberschool last year, and would
>technically be in 9th grade this
>year. We tried talking with someone at the AI yesterday, but she
>seemed surprised that we
>would want a 13 yr old to even think about taking classes. He has
>been looking at things
>online and is convinced this is the best bet for him.
>
>So, how do I go about helping him get this? They won't consider
>finanacial aid until he is
>17. Regular Art classes for "students" are not what he wants, or
>needs. He is looking for
>something in 3D computer design as well as comic book, game art,
>etc. It is frustrating
>for both of us. He feels a college not wanting to help him with his
>art potential at this age
>means he isn't good enough an artist. I know that isn't true, but
>you can't explain it that
>way to him. I hate that there is age discrimination inherent in the
>system....so what can I
>do?
>
>Does anyone know of a way to get him online help? correspondence? Or
>do we really
>have to wait 4 or 5 years before anyone will accept him as a
>student? There must be art
>apprenticeships somewhere out there???
>
>If anyone has any thoughts or ideas to help us, I would appreciate
>it. I hate feeling like
>you truly need to know somebody or kiss butt to gain access to what
>your child wants, no
>matter their age.
Deb
I'm not sure what you mean by "regular art classes for students"
exactly. If he wants to learn something specific, find a studio that
has classes to help him with that (if that's the way he wants to learn
it). Among other things, you might find that while the studio classes
don't really fit his style/need, he may find a mentor there who can
give him feedback and provide pointers and so on. Many studios have
open age group classes (anyone over 12, for example) - though life
drawing type classes might require you to stay in the room if they're
drawing nudes (then again he might not want to take that sort of class
just yet...) Another option might be to look for conventions related to
what he wants - I know there are huge comic/graphic novel related
conventions for example - where he can meet and hang with folks who are
doing the things he wants to be doing.
--Deb
exactly. If he wants to learn something specific, find a studio that
has classes to help him with that (if that's the way he wants to learn
it). Among other things, you might find that while the studio classes
don't really fit his style/need, he may find a mentor there who can
give him feedback and provide pointers and so on. Many studios have
open age group classes (anyone over 12, for example) - though life
drawing type classes might require you to stay in the room if they're
drawing nudes (then again he might not want to take that sort of class
just yet...) Another option might be to look for conventions related to
what he wants - I know there are huge comic/graphic novel related
conventions for example - where he can meet and hang with folks who are
doing the things he wants to be doing.
--Deb
amberlee_b
I guess he saw the ads for the school downtown and near where my hubby works and
thought it would be fun. But now that everyone is coming up with other options I think it
will be easier. He has used Alice, so do my other kids...so that is cool. Thanks.
thought it would be fun. But now that everyone is coming up with other options I think it
will be easier. He has used Alice, so do my other kids...so that is cool. Thanks.
--- In [email protected], "Meredith" <meredith@...> wrote:
>
> --- In [email protected], "amberlee_b"
> <amberlee16@> wrote:
> >> Regular Art classes for "students" are not what he wants, or
> needs. He is looking for
> > something in 3D computer design as well as comic book, game art,
> etc.
>
> Have y'all read The Teen Liberation Handbook? I think part of the
> problem is you're still thinking in terms of classes, even online
> classes.
>
> Does he make his own comic books now? If so, look into how such
> things come to be published. He could easily create his own 'zine.
>
> Here's a free programing resource that might be useful - it happens
> to be a pilot program for a university course in 3D programming:
>
> http://www.alice.org/index.php?page=what_is_alice/what_is_alice
>
> You might also check with community colleges and see what they have,
> both for programming and art. If he's interested in life drawing, for
> instance, there are often independent groups of students who pool
> resources to hire models and the college art department could point
> you in that direction, let you know who's organizing the group, that
> sort of thing.
>
> ---Meredith (Mo 7, Ray 15)
>
amberlee_b
We are planning to go to the local CON in April. So that is a good thing. I am going to see
what the companies he wants to work with expect from their applicants and go from there.
He is really into the comic book character and role play/game design aspect. I think that
is what he would like to do. He prefers pen and pencil, but is really enjoying playing with
the Wacom and photoshop. I don't want him to feel he has to take "normal classes" to get
a job in the industry.....unless that is the only way to get that type of job.....I am just not
sure and feel inadaquate to help him...even though we can google and look for
information.
Thanks again,
Amberlee
what the companies he wants to work with expect from their applicants and go from there.
He is really into the comic book character and role play/game design aspect. I think that
is what he would like to do. He prefers pen and pencil, but is really enjoying playing with
the Wacom and photoshop. I don't want him to feel he has to take "normal classes" to get
a job in the industry.....unless that is the only way to get that type of job.....I am just not
sure and feel inadaquate to help him...even though we can google and look for
information.
Thanks again,
Amberlee
--- In [email protected], "Deb" <debra.rossing@...> wrote:
>
> I'm not sure what you mean by "regular art classes for students"
> exactly. If he wants to learn something specific, find a studio that
> has classes to help him with that (if that's the way he wants to learn
> it). Among other things, you might find that while the studio classes
> don't really fit his style/need, he may find a mentor there who can
> give him feedback and provide pointers and so on. Many studios have
> open age group classes (anyone over 12, for example) - though life
> drawing type classes might require you to stay in the room if they're
> drawing nudes (then again he might not want to take that sort of class
> just yet...) Another option might be to look for conventions related to
> what he wants - I know there are huge comic/graphic novel related
> conventions for example - where he can meet and hang with folks who are
> doing the things he wants to be doing.
>
> --Deb
>
Debra Rossing
It's not necessary - a friend of ours (homeschooled for the latter half
of his 'school age' years) is in the industry and has no real "formal"
training aside from perhaps some assorted art classes here and there
that he chose to take for his own purposes. Toddbot.com is his website
(with links to his work and projects he's involved with)
Deb R
**********************************************************************
This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and
intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they
are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify
the system manager.
This footnote also confirms that this email message has been swept by
MIMEsweeper for the presence of computer viruses.
CNC Software, Inc.
www.mastercam.com
**********************************************************************
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
of his 'school age' years) is in the industry and has no real "formal"
training aside from perhaps some assorted art classes here and there
that he chose to take for his own purposes. Toddbot.com is his website
(with links to his work and projects he's involved with)
Deb R
**********************************************************************
This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and
intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they
are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify
the system manager.
This footnote also confirms that this email message has been swept by
MIMEsweeper for the presence of computer viruses.
CNC Software, Inc.
www.mastercam.com
**********************************************************************
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]