<p>Hi, I was wondering if anyone got accepted into this or are planning to apply?
To the ones who got accepted: could I please see your portfolio? I really don't know how "good" you need to be to actually have a chance and there isn't a lot of information about it.</p>
<p>I’m applying this year. I’m so scared of being rejected. I’ve been dreaming about being accepted into this program ever since freshman year.</p>
<p>And to be honest, I don’t really know how “good” you have to be either. I’d have to agree with you about how little information their site offers you. (it would kinda be nice if they gave you samples of the works done by past students)</p>
<p>I would show you some of my current artwork but I’m kind of hesitant to do so. Most of the applicants that displayed their artwork online usually got rejected. I don’t know if I’m just being superstitious or anything but I’m starting to think that it affects the chances of you getting accepted. But I could be just overreacting about this so don’t believe me. Haha</p>
<p>For preparation, I’m going to schedule a meeting with all of my past and current art teachers and ask for their advice/opinions. I’d like to know what my strengths and weaknesses are from someone else’s P.O.V. before just jumping into a painting/drawing. Also the site says that two of the pieces must be from observation so obviously they are looking for someone with strong observation skills. For the other two pieces, you should be as original as possible (you’ve got stand out somehow). And also since the program mainly focuses on drawing and painting, I think that it is a VERY good idea for you to show basic skill/knowledge in the fundamentals of drawing and painting. It might also be a smart idea for you to show ABOVE average skill (they are picking only 60 people after all). </p>
<p>What I suggest you do NOT do is go for the abstract art approach. They would be probably focusing on originality and traditional skill. If you show an abstract piece, you’re not really demonstrating your skill. The last thing that you’d want to do is show something that is pretty but says nothing about your skill level. What I would do is try to sneak a little bit of observational work into your extra two pieces (if they’re asking you to do half of your portfolio in observational work, then they’ll LOVE it if you show it in all of your pieces). But by no means should you just do 4 observational pieces. You should show variety in your pieces. </p>
<p>I suggest that you make a list of where your strengths and weaknesses lie and try to base your artworks on your strengths (ex. if you’re good with drawing people, do a self portrait). But also try to challenge yourself and throw some of your weaknesses in there. </p>
<p>That’s basically all that I’ve got to say. Lol. I’m sorry for making this reply so long. I didn’t expect to go on ranting. And so you won’t blame me if you don’t get accepted, THIS IS JUST MY OPINION. I AM NOT EVEN SURE IF I AM EVEN 30% CORRECT.</p>
<p>Haha. Anyway, I wish the best of luck for you. Hopefully we’ll both be accepted (but obviously I can’t promise that). I hope you have a great day!</p>
<p>hello,</p>
<p>hope you are all making way on your applications! i’m a summer '12 sharpie alumni, so i may help shed some light on the application process and the program itself.</p>
<p>my art background:
i really liked art as a kid. freshman year of high school i started taking lessons, and you could say i found my passion then. i made art ALL the time - it was never work because i loved it and the time always flew by. eventually i got rather good, so when i heard about the program i was like, ‘why the heck not?’</p>
<p>i think in comparison w/ other ppl’s work, i was on par in terms of ability (especially drawing) but rather at the bottom in terms of ideas. indeed this is one of the many benefits of the seminar – with 20 ppl a session, you really get to know everyone and get inspiration from the vastly different approaches everyone takes to making art. (i suspect this may be one of the elements they consider when selecting sharpies…whole>sum of its parts)</p>
<p>how i applied:
i didn’t really have much hope of getting in, to be honest, especially considering how they only take 60 ppl from across the whole country. but i heard about it from a friend and decided to give it a shot. the portfolio i sent in was largely observational w/ traditional media: charcoal/oil pastel drawings and a couple of watercolors. i didn’t really have to make specific pieces just for the seminar since i had a lot of pieces i did on my own.</p>
<p>one thing i made sure i did was to show variety in terms of subject matter. also, do be careful in selecting your recommender; i think the rec letter was one reason i got in. </p>
<p>i want to make a comment about sending in abstract pieces - we had a session where we shared what everyone sent in for their applications and a majority were paintings and drawings - and highly skilled ones at that. HOWEVER, there were pieces that were more abstract in nature: there were still lifes that were almost contemporary in style of depiction. i don’t think they necessarily frown upon abstractions if they somehow incorporate elements like good composition, grasp of color theory, etc. </p>
<p>i do want to note that if you’re not selected for the seminar it’s NO BIG DEAL. you don’t need the seminar to become a great artist. (anyway, to be ‘great’ and recognized in the art world, how you market yourself is as important as the actual skills you bring to the table. but i digress.) you do learn a lot from the seminar but if you have the drive and passion, you will end up an accomplished artist no matter what. monet and picasso didn’t attend marie walsh and they turned out just fine. </p>
<p>the program itself:
i think you can find some very informative posts on cc already. they bring in accomplished practicing (and well known) artists and you learn a lot about art and the business side of art, too. i believe for one of the other two sessions last summer, abdi (winner of the next great artist) was an instructor. <em>celebrity awesomeness</em></p>
<p>i do want to add that the seminar isn’t just art class – they really make sure you enjoy colorado springs experience. we drew by streams in the baca mountains and painted sunsets as it happened. artist’s heaven, if you will. we toured manitou springs and climbed the dunes. the accommodations were excellent too: the dorms are super comfy; we lived in a mansion style house and had movie nights. oh, and in one corner there was a mini grand piano…fun times. there was a large dining table where people drew together. did i mention the free leather bound sketchbooks? and the free high quality paper and pencils and charcoals and ink and brush and paint and canvas? a luxury, as my instructor called it. also, the food is AMAZING.</p>
<p>i’m going to devote a whole paragraph here to the food because it really is that great. you get buffet meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and colorado college has quite the selection. they even had fresh squeezed juice! i’ve never tasted fresh squeezed orange/watermelon/cucumber lemon juices before in my life and i can tell you that processed stuff don’t even come close. haha, the experience really was an aesthetic treat involving all the senses. the cafeteria had a patio and we often ate in the fresh air, with the mountains in full view. </p>
<p>so apply! it will be quite the two weeks. best of all, it’s all free.</p>