I had always planed to go to college. I'm two years out of high school and still not in college. It doesn't bother me though, which is good since it seems to bother everyone else. It's funny, really, I can't see putting myself in that much debt not knowing what I want to do for the rest of my life. It's an expensive venture and not one I plan to fail at. I have a high school teacher who understands me. I had gone back to see him and I was talking to him about what was going on in my life. He told me that the peace I had in my life at the time was worth more than being where everyone felt I should be. He is also the one who has had more faith in me then most. It's funny really because although I do have many interests I have always wanted to attend one school. I have a lot of hang ups about applying there and it has taken me a very long time to decide I would go for it. It's funny how one persons belief in another can have such a profound effect on someone. I never saw myself as an artist, not after three years in art classes that I never would have continued if I had not been prompted by teachers. After six years I started to get the picture, although I always could rationalize that it makes a great hobby.
I have always enjoyed thinking critically and I have come to understand just how critically you have to think to be a successful and competitive artist. Not that some don't get away with an inferior product so to speak...