[jcommin]

I have artistic talent ever since I can remember. I had an art scholarship at the age of 16. My dad had no interest in the scholarship. He wanted me to finish HS, go to college and get a degree in engineering. I did this and have a career of about 45 yrs in manufacturing. I don't regret any of the decisons - I like what I do.

However, I still love art. I worked out of studios for years. I'm active in the art community, I attend workshops, I have a studio at home and I compete nationally in art competitions. I do commission too.

I know allot of artists who cannot sustain an art career w/o doing something else. They either teach, conduct workshops or are connected with art galleries and related businesses. There are allot of good artists art there - and the top 1%-2% have careers as artists. It is a very competitive world in every skill and craft.

My younger son has art talent, probably more than I have. He had a partial art scholarship to SFAI (San Francisco Art Institute) but chose to go to Temple in Philly. He is in an art program and in an education program. He is looking to be a teacher. He also speaks Spanish and I think that could help him if he chooses to work in a bi-lingual school. He plans on going to graduate school. He knows he can't make it on art alone.

There is no boiler plate path here -