One of the things you mentioned in your [request for personal stories] hit me. . .
I always wanted to go to art school after high school and never could. We never had any money, and when I got to the point where I could afford to go to community college, I was talked into taking business classes because I couldn't afford art materials and I was told that it made more sense to take business anyway. So, I never followed my dream (art and acting) and I always made art out of whatever materials I could find; toothpicks, scraps of paper, and pen and paper were my basic form of media.
One of your questions for possible discussion was whether or not people should have art degrees (or what people felt about that). I feel it's wonderful for people who can get art degrees, afford to take art classes and learn how to specialize in their craft. Obviously an artist becomes more polished and develops techniques. It took me a long time to feel O.K. about calling myself an artist when I don't have a degree, or all of the right tools, etc. There are specific techniques I would love to learn, and I'm finding some ways (books, videos) to get them since money is an issue.
So, your mail list has helped me feel like a part of a community I've always wanted. It's so wonderful that people are sharing their ideas and their skill and it is very much appreciated. I hope to give some of that back in experience. I'm working hard to get some greeting cards put together and selling them within a couple of months. Maybe I'll have some experiences to share then.
-- M.