rosemary gioielli 19 Jan 2005

Elisa, you are freaking out for no reason. Your portfolio looks great! Just do what you've been doing, you have no problems here.

Mark Peterson 20 Jan 2005

Hi Elisa,

I just went and looked at your portfolio and I don't think you have anything to worry about. From what I can see you have the talent. That's a good place to start:) and the key to your growth is going to be the amount of passion you have for your art. The important thing is what you want to do with it. Take this time and develope your skills and explore new media....you might find a nitch where you least expect it. Let the art teach you what you cannot teach yourself, but most importantly have FUN!

One media is fine, or two or three....whatever suits you best. I think your already on the right track with a portfolio and you have showed us that you have the interest and passion simply by reaching out with this post.

This time at AW will be a good stepping stone and valuable tool to help you gain confidence in your work for later down the road. There are many useful tools here at AW for us less experienced ones if we listen carefully and allow ourselves to learn through our mistakes.

Best of luck to you here at AW and later on in college.

wendy bandurski 20 Jan 2005

Elisa just a word of encouragement to say you have talent and in a way may be already ahead of other young people your age in that you now have found the perfect environment for learning and extending yourself. My advice you are going great and the more you put out there the more you will get back

make aw part of your learning in posting w.i.p for critique as it may guide your artistisc expression

but just a hint - in any post remind the viewer of your age as there is currently no other way of knowing how young you are in amongst the established artists, hope this helps a little when posting a piece for critique begin by reminding the reader of your age and the purpose of the art

it can only help

best wishes from australia wendy

Juan Gomez 20 Jan 2005

Hi Elisa...not bad..just keep drawing and don't stop..

Sean Lynch 20 Jan 2005

As far as portfolios go,its far better to have a few good pieces than a lot of mediocre pieces...(Boris Vallejo)You have talent,keep drawing!!!

Juan Gomez 20 Jan 2005

: {and Boris ducks and runs for cover} :

20 Jan 2005

Sean Lynch 20 Jan 2005

No,No Juan...that was a quote from Boris himself...

Juan Gomez 20 Jan 2005

How would I know Sean..thought you were being funny there for a moment..well some-thing NEW is learned every-day..Oh Well.

Elisa Wikey 20 Jan 2005

wow so much support! I really appreciate the words of encouragement, sometimes the thought of the "real world" can get pretty overwhelming... There are so many great artists out there! I do have some art in color, and it is quite a bit larger than the mere 8 1/2 x 11 pieces I have up here now... when I have the time, I will be sure to post them! Color in general is a little daunting to me... I tend to overdo it. :( But the encouragment from this has made me want to go and start another piece!

Patrick Miller 20 Jan 2005

In my opinion it is very hard to overdo color....knock yourself out.

Sean Lynch 20 Jan 2005

I agree Patrick...color is king!!!

Elisa Wikey 20 Jan 2005

Well... perhaps its more that my colors are just all over the place.. there is absolutely no coordination!! Hehe!

Andrea Anderson 27 Jan 2005

I had similiar stress when I was your age. I went to present my work to an art school during an "open house" where they did free "critiques" before you applied and I was told that my art needs to be "bigger". Well, since I am only 4'5" and confined to a wheelchair, bigger was a bit difficult for me. And, I stressed about it, for awhile. But, you know what? I still got accepted to three different art schools even though my work wasn't "big enough".

The moral of the story is that you need to simply do the best that you can do and if you have talent and (even more importantly) belief in yourself you don't have to be perfect you can be yourself and it will work.

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