Summer Plans for Art Students

<p>What are you doing for the summer? My D is going to Israel for 10 days (birthright Israel) and then she will be a counselor at a sleep away camp. When asked if she wanted to be the arts and crafts couselor she absoulutely said "no". She really needs a break from the intensity of art school. Next summer; plans for an internship. Pratt does not encourage internships until after the sophmore year.</p>

<p>My daughter was going to RISD pre-college program; however, due to having to prepare her senior project (which was much more involved than she thought), she will be staying home and doing reseach for the project. She will, however, be taking some figure drawing courses at the Corcoran Art School/Museum and will be taking some individual lessons with an Art Instructor to help her boost up her portfolio. Her second half of her high school art class was nothing but painting and sculpture,which is not her interest.</p>

<p>My daughter attended the RISD pre-college program two years ago. It was interesting that the friends she made ended up not applying to RISD and neither did my daughter (she wanted to be in NYC and didn't like the hills or food at RISD). I loved that she went because it gave us the opportunity to see that part of the country!</p>

<p>I forgot to say what my daughter is doing:
Staying in NYC for the summer, interning with the costume designer (when needed), also hoping to get a summer job (she's been applying
this past week).<br>
What she would LIKE to be doing:
Hanging out in Vancouver with her friends from Emily Carr!</p>

<p>Yeah, I really, really wanted my daughter to attend RISD pre-college program in order to ascertain whether she would like to go there.I guess it was not to be.</p>

<p>My d had planned to do the Parson's summer program last summer but had to back out at the last minute. This summer she'd like to do an internship at Seventeen Magazine but we'll see. She has an appt in Manhattan tomorrow and will try to get more info. Otherwise, she'll probably continue working (she paints customized designs on children's furnishings for a boutique) and travel. Maybe she can summer at Grandma's house at Cape Cod and get a job there.</p>

<p>I've got a job babysitting a six-year-old neighbor kid and painting a porch for my dad. The mother of the girl I will watch wants a painting of herself so that might happen. (though maybe not - the one other time I got asked to paint something for pay, the person delayed it and then stopped talking about it and it never happened.) My summer is pretty much going towards getting my college spending money. It won't be much of a summer because I can't spend anything and it's full time work, but it will pay off later.</p>

<p>How do people my age go about getting internships and doing art for pay? I've talked to several people who do this but have no idea how.. connections..?</p>

<p>My d got her boutique job by answering an ad in the paper (looking for an ARTIST blah, blah, blah). At first, they wouldn't take her seriously because she was a HS student. She wasn't put off by that. She called again and convinced them to agree to an interview. Then they agreed to have her come in for a "trial" with several other artists. They were given several tasks and basically competed against one another. She was worried because she was slower than the "adults" but they kept calling her back. After 2 rounds of this "trial" stuff, they hired her on a trial basis - to do actual projects but would reevaluate after a month or so. Eventually it turned into a permanent position. That was a year ago... I was proud of her for getting through all the steps required. She's not the most assertive person so each step (calling, interview, etc) put pressure on her. I think it also helped her with the portfolio reviews that were to come. She did the reviews in person and was asked to explain her reasoning behind pieces, to discuss strengths and weaknesses of her pieces... As a parent, it's exciting to watch this process of maturing. Even though I know little about art, I can recognize growth as an individual in my child. </p>

<p>My d's friend has earned money painting murals (like Superman, etc) on kid's bedroom walls. Probably word of mouth to get the jobs - not sure. I know my pediatrician has murals painted in all his exam rooms and one day, my d mentioned to the doctor if he ever needed them redone, she would like to be considered. That turned into a discussion of where she was going to college, etc. </p>

<p>As for the magazine internship, one of the editors at Seventeen actually suggested it to my d (she didn't know about that possibility). I think the person was responding to my d's questions about training, etc and the editor suggested it as a way of seeing if this (working for a magazine) is something she'd be interested in.</p>

<p>My daughter attended the Pratt pre-college program two summers ago. While she did not end up going to Pratt, it did help her to decide if art school was for her.</p>

<p>hey, I attended the pratt pre-college program two summers ago too. </p>

<p>can I ask what your daughter's first name is? it would be funny if I had had class with her.</p>

<p>and thanks for the info about the jobs. I should start looking in the paper.</p>

<p>mural on the bedroom wall - that's what I was supposed to do last summer! it was going to be a Harry Potter mural for these kids I babysit, but it somehow never happened. oh well.</p>

<p>I am going to try to sell some prints I am making of my art teacher who is retiring this year. lots of people like him, so maybe.. they want a picture of him?!</p>

<p>weile...</p>

<p>Her name is Jen. She did illustration.</p>

<p>since i can't really afford art lessons, i was thinking of self teaching myself to draw over the summer to develop my portfolio for senior year, but i'm not sure how to go about that. any ideas?</p>

<p>If there is an art museum nearby, they often offer drawing nights where you can draw objects in the museum. Sometimes for a small fee, there will be a model. Draw a lot and draw from life. Don't draw from a magazine or book. You need to be able to see something in 3-D and recreate it in 2-D. My daughter's art teacher had the class do home exercises drawing objects in the house, corner's of a room, things hanging off a door knob or the staircase; still-lifes including many things such as bottles, cans, and boxes from our food pantry. She was supposed to do an hour of drawing each night. Get friends and family to sit for you and draw their faces. Look in the mirror and do a self-portrait. If you can press an uninhibited friend into service draw them in the nude. Figure drawing should be a part of your portfolio. If you are unable to find a willing model, then try to do body parts; hands, feet, legs, a bare shoulder or back. Good drawing skills can be developed with practice. Don't do anime. Work on real life drawing skills and use pencil, charcoal, inks, and pastels to develop drawing skills in a variety of mediums. Carry a sketch book with you at all times.</p>

<p>In addition to the suggestions above, you might look for a good local artist (i.e., one who has good training) who might be willing to tutor you for a few hours. You might also find a course (or get a recommendation of a tutor) at a community college or even a local community center.</p>