Q:Hi Sarah, love your art. It's always nice to see a huge TMNT fan as well. Which one is your favorite? As for the real question, what would you say benefited your art career the most, education or intense practice?

touchmetoph

Thank you so much! Who’s my favorite Turtle? Well, when I was little it was always Mikey. But now I love them all for different reasons and can’t pick a favorite! 

Your other question is a bit of a doozy! I guess I’d have to say they go hand-in-hand. Education won’t make you a good artist but you need the tools and the outlet. I’m not sure many people have the discipline to strengthen their skills without taking at least some classes. However, you cannot rely on your school to make you an artist. They give you the tools and you have to put in 110% yourself to really make the difference. No college has a perfect program and perfect professors. 

Graduating from college in ‘09, my demo reel and portfolio were mediocre at best and there were no jobs. You had to be the best to get what was available. I have to say I gave 100% and not that crucial 110%.

So what pushed me to become better? Unemployment. Not that I haven’t had jobs, but I wasn’t working in Animation - where I wanted to be. I started putting the time into my own personal projects and making a slew of portfolio work and it all just factored into my improvement. 

That all being said, I’m still working on this “career” and I’m slowly getting off the ground. I dislike calling myself a professional but it’s starting to feel more like it. It all comes together eventually if you work hard.

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