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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Fiery James" data-source="post: 159812" data-attributes="member: 625">Highschool is done.  What’s the next step?Well, for many people, it’s time for post-secondary education!  (University or College or something similar)So, a bunch of young guys are ready to take on the world.  They want to be artists.  Painters.There are a few options for these guys – most will attend small classes, learning from others and trying to develop their skills on their own.  A very few will display the natural talent to get them into a prestigious art academy, where they’ll have access to the finest supplies and instructors.Both groups are working hard to get notice, so that they can get a gallery show of some kind.The academy automatically gives its students a gallery showing.  The costs for this are covered by their tuition.  This doesn't mean that they haven't earned a showing - their natural talent and skill is what got them into the academy in the first place, and their work is excellent.Some students that aren’t in the academy display uncanny talent, and get noticed by art critics and collectors.  They get showings at smaller galleries, and are more than happy to display their gifts.One artist starts out via the independent route.  He’s talented, and catches the eye of a student attending the academy.  He gets invited to come to the campus and begin classes.  He gets his paintings put on display in the academy’s art show.  He’s getting recognition, and enjoys having his work on show next to the other talented students of the academy.About a year into his studies, the student re-evaluates his position.  He has learned a lot – a lot, indeed – from the gifted teachers at the academy and his fellow students there.  But, he also misses aspects of the independent life – making your own paints (from scratch, often!), hunting down canvass or painting on cardboard when you can’t find any, setting up small gallery shows in someone’s basement, the joy of having people come to see your work because they like your art.It’s great to have your stuff on display in the main galleries with the other academy students.  But, it’s also a lot of fun to hustle and sweat and con your way into a smaller gallery show.  You won’t get the big commissions that you would at the larger gallery, but sometimes the intangible rewards make up for the money and recognition.Sometimes it’s just better to be a painter on your own terms.The art student  wishes only the best for his classmates and instructors at the academy.  They’ve helped him immensely, and he is grateful for the skills he’s learned.  But now he’s looking forward to some smaller, more personal works on display in the back half of the local theatre.He’s hoping that those who liked his paintings in the gallery will come out to see what he’s done.He’s hoping that his new works will generate some buzz and get some recognition.But most of all, he knows that whatever happens, he’s going to enjoy the thrill of putting together his own show, despite the smaller size, because it’s a creation of his own two hands.JamesFiery Dragon ProductionsThanks to the instructors and students of the academy.  We’ll send invitations when we get our next show together.</blockquote>

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